Winter Recreation

 Sledding Hill at Lake Waconia Regional Park -

In January 2007 Carver County Parks opened up a new sledding hill at Lake Waconia Regional Park.  The sledding hill operations will continue in 2009/2010 as it has since opening.  People need to bring their own sled and will walk up the hill.

Rules for the sledding hill are:

Lake Waconia Sledding Hill Diagram (pdf)

Cross Country Skiing

For a little cool weather fun, family entertainment and exercise, check out the groomed ski trails at Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks. Each park area has several miles of traditional groomed trails, which meander through settings of woodland, prairies and along lakeshore. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park also has several miles of trails which are groomed for traditional and skate skiing.  For updated trail conditions please call the NEW winter trails hotline at 952-466-5237.

For the winter of 2009-2010 as snow conditions allow we will be renting ski's during the following dates and times at both Lake Minnewashta and Baylor Regional Parks:

2010 Cross-Country Ski Rental Hours

Weekends
 Saturdays:  10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 Sundays:  11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Special Rental Days
• New Years Day:  11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Day: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Presidents Day: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

In the event of questionable snow conditions a decision will be made by staff no later than noon on Friday.  In the event of extreme cold we will use the following criteria for not renting skis or canceling an event:  Air temperature of –10 degrees or colder or wind-chill index is –15 degrees or colder. 

Rental Equipment (Baylor and Lake Minnewashta Regional Parks)

Cross Country Skis (Skis, Poles, Boots) Adult $4.00 for 1st hr., $1.00 ea. addl. hr.
Cross Country Skis (Skis, Poles, Boots) Child $3.00 for 1st hr., $1.00 ea. addl. hr.
Snowshoes Adult (Baylor only) $4.00 for 1st hr., $1.00 each addl. hr.
Snowshoes Child (Baylor only) $3.00 for 1st hr, $1.00 each addl. hr.

At Lake Minnewashta, there will be a double loop of trails groomed specifically for walking and for those who would like to exercise their pets, on a leash. These trails will utilize portions of the existing trail system, grounds of the picnic areas and open play fields. Walking trails will be groomed similarly as the cross-country ski trails without a set ski track associated with cross-country skiing. The walking course trail head will be located at the north parking lot for shelter #5. Sign age will further identify the walking course. For more information, please call (952) 466-5250. Pet owners are reminded that pets must be kept on a six-foot leash and are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.

Winter Park Maps

Lake Minnewashta Regional Park (pdf)

Baylor Regional Park (pdf)

Lake Waconia Regional Park (pdf)