Outdoor activities

OUTDOORactivities

Along with winter comes a whole new season of outdoor fun. The Alexandria lakes area offers a variety of fun outdoor activities for people of all ages. Here are just some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy in Douglas County this winter:

DOWNHILL SKIING, TUBING, SNOWBOARDING, SNOWSHOEING

Andes Tower Hills, located about 15 miles west of Alexandria, has 15 downhill ski runs ranging from beginner to expert, as well as facilities for tubing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Ski and snowboard lessons, a racing program, an after-school ski program, lodging, equipment rentals and a pro shop are also available. The chalet features a large-screen TV, a gas fireplace, and the Whispering Pines Grill, which serves burgers, chili, soups and gourmet pizza.

There are 15 downhill runs for skiers at Andes: four easy hills that include the Bunny Hill, five intermediate and five difficult runs, as well as one expert run. Crosscountry skiing has 800 acres of scenic trails packed and groomed on a regular basis. Lighted trails and a 2.3K snowshoe-only trail are also available.

Tubing is available and is recommended for those 4 years of age or older and 42 inches tall.

For more information, call (320) 965-2455 or visit the Andes website at www.andestowerhills.com.

Take State Highway 27 west of Alexandria about nine miles, turn right onto County Road 7 and go about two miles, turn left on County Road 107 and go about two miles to the entrance.

SNOWMOBILING

There are 368 miles of snowmobile trails in Douglas County, which connect many of the communities in the area and connect to trails in surrounding counties as well.

For more information about area snowmobile trails, visit www. douglasareatrails.com.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Local cross-country ski trails are located as follows:

Lake Carlos State Park* has six miles of groomed trails and a warming house. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. A ski trail pass is required, and can be purchased at the park or online. Take State Highway 29 north of Alexandria 10 miles, turn left onto County Road 38 and go two miles to the park entrance.

Kensington Rune Stone Park* near Kensington has 10.5 miles of groomed and slotted trails and a warming house. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week. Take State Highway 27 west of Alexandria about 13 miles, turn left onto County Road 103 and go about one mile to the park entrance.

Spruce Hill Park* near Miltona has four miles of groomed and slotted trails. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Take State Highway 29 north of Alexandria about nine miles, turn right onto County Road 5, travel about 5 miles east on County Road 5 and turn left on County Road 105, then go about one-half mile to the park entrance.

Andes Tower Hills, about 15 miles west of Alexandria, has about nine miles (15K) of trails, some of which are lit at night. Call (320) 9652455 or visit the Andes Tower Hills website at www.andestowerhills. com for more information. Take State Highway 27 west of Alexandria about nine miles, turn right onto County Road 7 and go about two miles, turn left on County Road 107 and go about two miles to the entrance.

Arrowwood Resort near Alexandria has several miles of privately groomed cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails. Call (320) 762-1124 for information. Take County Road 82 west of Alexandria, turn right at County Road 22 (at stoplight), go about two miles and turn right onto County Road 104.

Lake Brophy Park at 1900 Brophy Park Road NW in Alexandria has groomed cross-country ski trails. Go west of Alexandria on County Highway 82 approximately three-and-a-half miles to the park entrance. *State cross-country ski permits are required for anyone age 16 and older who uses any public ski trail, including those at Lake Carlos State Park, Kensington Runestone Park and Spruce Hill Park. Permits are $10 per day. Season passes are $25; a three-year pass is $70.

Ski passes are valid for use in all Minnesota county and state parks and can be purchased by self-registration at state parks, at the Minnesota License Bureau at the Douglas County Services Center, at any business that sells hunting and fishing licenses, by phone at 888-665-4236 or at the Minnesota DNR online license website at www. wildlifelicense.com. *Note: State park visitors also must have a vehicle permit.

SLEDDING & TOBOGGANING

Kensington Runestone Park near Kensington has a toboggan hill and warming house. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Take Highway 27 west of Alexandria about 13 miles, turn left onto County Road 103 and go about one mile to the entrance.

Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center’s Snow Center has a sledding hill for all ages. Small children must be accompanied by an adult and all must sign in at the Snow Center, which opens daily at 9 a.m.

Lake Brophy Park at 1900 Brophy Park Road NW in Alexandria has a groomed sledding hill. Go west of Alexandria on County Highway 82 approximately three-and-a-half miles to the park entrance.

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