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Snowshoe Rental & Cross-Country Ski Trails

Skiers 16 years old and up must have a Minnesota State Ski Pass. Our trail grooming is funded through a state grant that relies on the pass funds. Passes be purchased online through the above link to the Minnesota DNR website.
Snowshoes
Available for Rent
during pop up events only in 2022. Also available for snowshoe programs.

Daily Rental Fees
Snowshoes:
$5/person for River Bend members; $10/person nonmembers

Cross-Country Ski Trails
Enjoy seven miles of cross-country ski trails. A wonderful group of volunteers keeps our trails groomed. We also receive monetary assistance from the Minnesota DNR to maintain them, therefore  the Great MN Ski Pass is required for all skiers age 16 or above. A ski pass can be purchased at your local DNR or anywhere where a hunting or fishing license can be purchased. For details on where to purchase the Great MN Ski Pass visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/

The funds from the Great MN Ski Pass go back into maintaining ski trails all over the state year after year!

Trail Hours:
Every Day 6am to 10pm

Trails are usually groomed the day after a new snow. You may check the current status of our ski trails on our web site once the season begins.

  

 

Snowshoe Information

Snowshoe Styles Available at River Bend

Bearpaw
Good for heavy woods and frequent turning. High maneuverability.

 Green Mountain
Best for heavily wooded, hilly areas
Michigan
Good for open or wooded areas. Tails allow for easier, straight-line travel.		 Alaskan
Good for open areas and deep snow. Fastest snowshoe in open areas.

Tips on Using Snowshoes

Walking

  • Stand upright keeping weight on your heels
  • Keep your toes up
  • It is not necessary to walk with your feet far apart

Travelling uphill

  • Walk up hill at an angle if possible
  • If going straight uphill, point toes out and dig inside edges into snow

Turning

  • Change direction slowly, taking small steps

Miscellaneous

  • Travel around fallen trees and rocks or step completely over them
  • Do not step partially on an object– snowshoes are likely to break
  • Stay off the ice on the river
  • Do not walk on groomed ski trails
Snowshoe History & Uses

Snowshoeing was believed to have begun in Central Asia about 6,000 years ago.  This was an important invention that may have allowed for the migration over the Bering Strait and eventual colonization of North and South America.

In the past two centuries snowshoeing has become an important part of North American traditions and culture in both Canada and the United States.  Community activities including snowshoe clubs and group snowshoe hikes have increased in popularity.

Some of the people who currently make use of snowshoes include recreational users, trappers, hunters, surveyors, soldiers, prospectors, and foresters. Snowshoes work well for any person who spends time walking in deep snow.  The snowshoe is designed to spread a person’s body weight out over the snow allowing him or her to walk more on top of the snow than would be possible without snowshoes.