Winter RECREATION

Cross-Country Skiing
Nordic skiers will discover 240 miles of groomed and ungroomed ski trails in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Thousands of skiers enjoy these trails that take them through a variety of forests and landscapes. Some trails even have lighted sections for nighttime skiing. Cross-country ski trail maps and directions are available online and can easily be printed from your home computer. Be sure to check out our area trail conditions online before you head out and note that all cross-country skiers on public ski trails age 16 and above must have a Minnesota Ski Pass.

Downhill Skiing
Brainerd Lakes Area Visitors that want to downhill ski will find fun and family-style skiing at Ski Gull. The facility features 13 runs, chairlifts, rentals and refreshments.

Ice Fishing
Some anglers feel that the fishing in the Brainerd Lakes Area only gets better when the lakes freeze over. In one day, on one lake, maybe even from one hole, anglers can catch walleye, bass, crappies, sunfish, northern pike and yellow perch. The more popular lakes have fish house rentals available with plowed roads leading to many of the good fishing spots.

Local bait and tackle stores have gear and advice waiting for both visiting anglers, so be sure to stop in to get their words or wisdom or to buy gear that you need or forgot. Also note that the following area businesses are happy to rent ice houses and are hoping you land a big catch!

Bayside Cabins Resort, Backus - (218) 947-3344

Boats & Beyond Rentals, Nisswa - (218) 963-7700

Cragun's Resort, Brainerd - (218) 825-2700

Eddy's Resort, Onamia/Mille Lacs - (320) 532-3657

Quarterdeck Resort, Nisswa - (218) 963-2482

Snowmobiling
The Brainerd Lakes Area is a snowmobiling paradise! With 1,200 of connected and groomed trails, sledders can ride miles enjoying the beautiful sites and sounds of the area. Plan your trip by viewing online trail maps of the area. Visiting snowmobilers will find a plentiful amount of retail and service outlets for gas, repairs, food and lodging in communities along the trails. And don't worry if you don't have your own sled, rent one from one of our reputable recreational rental facilities. Plus, our color-coded trail system makes traveling easy.

Please be aware that a snowmobile state trail sticker is required for all persons operating a snowmobile on state or grant-in-aid trails. Order one online, by calling (888) 665-4236 or by stopping in to one of the Brainerd Lakes Area businesses that sell snowmobile stickers. Note that if you register your snowmobile in Minnesota, part of the fee is automatically applied to a state trail sticker. All sleds that were registered outside of the state of Minnesota need to purchase a state trail sticker.

Check out the current area trail conditions before you head out with our up-to-date trail reports.