Chamber Blog

February 2011
Play to your heart’s content



Play to your heart’s content in the Park Rapids Lakes Area in February. What’s not to love! The days are getting longer, the average temps are rising and hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails are groomed and ready to ride.

Our forest and lake trails connect directly to restaurants, gas stations and lodging where you can put your feet up by the fire or warm up in the pool, hot tub or sauna at the end of the day. And you will find fine dining, fun shops and more to do, too.
Groomed cross-country ski trails also invite exploring. Skiers at Soaring Eagle will find a warming house and at Itasca State Park the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center is open. For the first time, Itasca State Park has opened trails for skijoring, the sport for skiers drawn over the snow by their dogs.
Our lakes have a thick layer of ice so pull up a shelter and stay awhile.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updates snow and trail conditions in weekly reports updated after 2 p.m. every Thursday at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html. And our Chamber Website provides information about trail riding and cross country skiing possibilities as well as available lodging, dining and other things to see and do while you’re here.

Everyone who heads outdoors will find breathtaking scenery the perfect backdrop to whatever activity they choose. With Valentine’s Day on February’s calendar, a winter getaway “up north” may be the way to win your Valentine’s heart for the first time or all over again.

If you time your stay, you can sample one of the following fun winter activities:

It’s not too late to buy a ticket for the 13th annual Community Fishing Contest on Fish Hook Lake from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5. The grand prize in this year's raffle is a 2011 Chevy Colorado Truck. Fishing prize - for the 10th largest fish caught in any category - is an Ice Castle Fish House. Tickets for the fishing contest at $40 each are available at the American Legion or call 218-732-3360. For more information, go to www.parkrapidsfishingderby.com.

Two fun events are planned Saturday, Feb. 12. Akeley will host Audrey’s Purple Dream Fishing Tournament from noon to 3 p.m. on 11th Crow Wing Lake. Or step back in time and see how horses were used in logging in a Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers demonstration at Itasca State Park. The site will be located near the Wegmann Store (watch for signs). And in the evening, head to Itasca State Park for a Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoe Hike by the light of the moon. Marshmallows will be available for roasting around the fire!

Wolf Lake’s Winter Fest Saturday, Feb. 19 provides fun for the family, including sledding and contests for all ages.

The Dorothy Noeske Memorial Fishing Derby will give anglers another fun event on the ice at the Mill Pond in Osage from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27.

If you need help planning a memorable and affordable visit, need more information about these and other winter activities or if you have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.

Labels: Community Ice fishing contest, cross country skiing, Ice Fishing Tournaments, snowmobiling, Winter scenery, Wolf Lake Winterfest

January 2011
Celebrate winter


The new year begins with as much as 20 inches of fresh snow creating ideal conditions for snowmobiling on hundreds of miles of groomed trails in the Park Rapids area. You’ll find a picture perfect scene anywhere you go.

If your New Year’s resolution is to celebrate winter, you’ve come to the right place.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updates snow and trail conditions in weekly reports posted after 2 p.m. every Thursday at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html. Winter lodging facilities offer a cozy place to warm up by the fire or in the pool, hot tub or sauna at day’s end. And you will find fine dining, fun shops and more to do, too. Our Chamber Website provides information about trail riding and cross country skiing possibilities as well as available lodging, dining and other things to see and do while you’re here.

Itasca State Park is listed as one of the state’s top 12 skiing destinations and for the first time this year, the park is grooming for skijoring: from the Norwegian Skikjøring = ski + Kjøring (driving). This is a sport in which a skier is drawn over the snow by a dog. If you enjoy cross country skiing as well as your dog, get outside this winter for some skijoring! Kick the winter blues as you kick your skis while being pulled by your dog along 11.2 km (7 miles) of packed trail specifically for skijoring.

Lantern lit skiing/snowshoeing events and naturalist programs also are on the January calendar at Itasca State Park. For details about winter activities in the park, call 218-699-7251 or go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html.

If you time your stay, you can sample one of the following fun winter activities:

Open houses are planned the first and third Sundays in January and February at Soaring Eagle Ski Trails north of Park Rapids. Bring your own skis or check out the club’s ski equipment. For more information, visit www.itascatur.org.

The Northern Light Opera Company will present “The Apothecary” at Long Lake Theater in Hubbard. Enjoy the production at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21 and 22 and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. For details, go to www.northernlightopera.org.

Menahga’s Family Fishing Derby on Spirit Lake offers prizes and a day of fishing fun Saturday, Jan. 22. For more information, call Dave at 218-564-4940.

In the evening Saturday, Jan. 22, the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club hosts the annual SnoDeo Weekend Dance at the Eagles Club in Park Rapids.

And remember to buy a tickets for the 13th Annual Park Rapids American Legion Community Fishing Contest on Fish Hook Lake Saturday, Feb. 5. The grand prizes in this year's raffle are a 2011 Chevy Colorado Truck and 2011 Chevy Cruze. Sixty other raffle prizes will be awarded. Polaris ATVs top the list of prizes in all four divisions: bluegill & crappie; northern, walleye & largemouth bass; perch; and rock bass. In conjunction with the fishing contest, the American Legion also sponsors a Medallion Treasure Hunt, starting Wednesday, Jan. 5. Tickets for the fishing contest at $40 each are available at the American Legion or call 218-732-3360. For more information, go to www.parkrapidsfishingderby.com.

A new year brings new beginnings. If you’ve resolved to celebrate winter and need help planning a memorable and affordable visit or if you have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.

Labels: Community Ice fishing contest, cross country skiing, Live theater show, Snowmobile trails, winter sports