Cross County Skiing on the Cannon Valley Trail
Many cross country skiers look for hills and curves on a ski trail and although the Cannon Valley Trail does not have much of that, it does offer exceptional winter scenery. In the winter seeing Bald Eagles and flocks of Wild Turkeys along the Trail is routine. The Anderson Memorial Rest Area and Marshall Memorial Rest Area make great ski destinations.
The CVT will be groomed and tracked from Mile 1 in Cannon Falls to Welch to Mile 17 1/2 in Red Wing. Please visit the ‘Winter Usage Maps‘ for information where cross country skiing and fat tire biking are allowed.
Parking is available at the Archie Swenson Fields Access in Cannon Falls, Welch Station Access, and at Cannon Bottom Road in Red Wing.
A Greater MN Ski Pass is Required
As a reminder, all skiers that are 16 years of age and older are required by state law to have a valid Great Minnesota Ski Pass when skiing the Cannon Valley Trail. Funds raised from the passes are credited to a DNR account and allocated back to trails throughout the State of Minnesota to assist with maintenance costs. The Cannon Valley Trail is groomed and tracked for both traditional and skate skiing.
Purchasing a Greater MN Ski Pass
Online
- You’ll need a driver’s license or state ID, the last four digits of your social security number (for additional online authentication), and a credit card.
- Additional 3% convenience fee.
- You’ll get a PDF of your Ski Pass right away. Print and sign it, and carry it with you — this is your final document, you will not receive anything additional in the mail.
- If you purchase your Ski Pass online via your phone on the same day you ski, you may show your confirmation receipt for proof of purchase.
By Phone
Call 1-888-MN-LICENSE (1-888-665-4236).
- You’ll need a driver’s license or state ID, and a credit card.
- Additional 3% convenience fee.
- Your Ski Pass will arrive in the mail in about two weeks. You can still hit the ski trails right away, though — the selling agent will give you a purchase confirmation number. Write it down and carry it with you until your pass arrives. If you are stopped, the enforcement officer can verify your Ski Pass purchase using that number.
In Person
One-day passes can be purchased at the front desk in most Minnesota state parks. Be sure to check that the office will be open when you arrive.
At any of the 1750 locations around the state that sell DNR permits and licenses. Find one »
- You can use cash or a credit card.
- You’ll need a driver’s license or state ID.
