All money raised from the sale of cross country ski passes directly supports 1,800 miles of designated cross country ski trails throughout Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). State law requires skiers to purchase and possess a daily, annual or three-year pass before using any grant-in-aid and state-operated cross country ski trails this winter.
Ski passes cost $5 for the daily, $15 for the annual, and $40 for the three-year pass. The Minnesota Legislature established the ski pass in 1983. The law requires skiers 16 years of age and older to have a valid Minnesota ski trail pass with them at all times while on a designated trail. Skiers caught without a pass may be ticketed.
Skiers may purchase passes at any one of nearly 1,800 electronic licensing agents throughout Minnesota and at most state parks that have ski trails. Annual and three-year passes may also be bought on line at www1.wildlifelicense.com/mn. People may also purchase a ski pass by calling 1-888-665-4236, or by mail, DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4026. Passes ordered by mail require approximately two weeks for delivery.
A $3.50 convenience fee will be added to the sale of passes sold over the Internet or by phone. Minnesota cross country ski trail information - trail locations, maps and conditions - is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/skiing/index.html .
