Our club’s current season’s activities are listed below, as well as some regional races that our members may want to train for. If you are interested in connecting with other skiers training for these races, or just wanting to keep up to date you can join our Strava group and follow our facebook page.
Below our club activities you will find a list of upcoming Central Lakes Conference (CLC) high school races. We’d love to increase spectator attendance supporting our young skiers!
2025-2026
September 20, 2025
“Learn the Loop” fall hike at North Loop. Walk the loop before the snow falls so you know where you’re going! Meet at 9:00 AM the North Loop/Jail Trail trailhead.
October 13, 2025
Annual Meeting at Stearns County History Museum, St Cloud, MN
Come join us for our annual meeting. You can learn about what the Nordic Ski Club is up to in and out of snow season, and get involved with fun outdoor activities for the whole family! We’ll have light appetizers to share, and a guest speaker.
Our guest speaker this year is Dr. George Morris. You might know him from CentraCare, but did you know that he has been a team physician for the US Ski and Snowboard team since 2005? He will talk about his experiences traveling and working with Team USA, from JNQ races to the Olympic Games.
Doors open at 6:15 PM, meeting starts at 6:30 PM.
October 19, 2025
“Learn the Loop” fall hike at Warner Lake County Park, 1:00- 3:00 PM. Meet at the main parking area/shelter at the entrance to the park.
October 25, 2025
Trail cleanup at North Loop and Graystone trails. Come for a 10 AM-12 PM shift, 12 PM-2 PM, or stay the whole time! Bring water, wear bright colors for safety, wear sturdy footwear, gloves. Bring pruners, loppers or tree saws if you have them, but tools aren’t necessary. Meet at the main Graystone trailhead south of Hwy 301 (Minnesota Boulevard), behind the barns and directly east of the slaughterhouse. DO NOT PARK in front of the ski signs. Graystone Nordic Ski Trails Parking
November 8, 2025
“Learn the Loop” hike at Kraemer Lake-Wildwood County Park. Meet at the parking lot at 11:00 AM. Today is the hunting season opener, and while we should be completely safe in this location it’s always a good idea to wear bright colored clothing. It’s also going to be chilly, so layer up! Text 320-282-4130 upon arrival.
November 15, 2025
“Learn the Loop” fall hike at North Loop. Meet at 9:30 AM the North Loop/Jail Trail trailhead.
November 22, 2025
“Learn the Loop” fall hike at NORTH LOOP. We will not be hiking at Graystone today. Meet at 10:00 AM at the North Loop/Jail Trail trailhead.
January 9, 2026
Moonlight Hike or Ski at Quarry Park, Waite Park, MN, in partnership with Stearns County Parks.
Free event, skis provided by the club onsite; you can also rent some for free at Fitzharris and Revolution on January 9. S’mores, cookies, hot chocolate, bonfires, fun! AND a prize drawing! Event will be cancelled if windchill hits -15.
5:00-8:00pm
January 11, 2026 (through February 22)
Central Minnesota Youth Ski (SkiSparks) Club at Riverside Park, St. Cloud, MN
1:45-3:30pm SUNDAYS
January 24, 2026
51st Annual Lumberjack Jaunt, hosted by our friends to the north, the Brainerd Nordic Ski Club!
The Lumberjack Jaunt is a family oriented ski race that takes place at the Northland Arboretum. Ski distances of 6km or 16 km, skate or classic techniques. Free short races for kids 12 and under. If you are interested in training for this event with other members check out our Strava group or email us!
January 26-28, 2026
The Arrowhead Ultra 135 begins at 7 AM in International Falls on January 26! As stated on their website, train hard or not at all! If you are interested in training for this event with other members check out our Strava group or email us.
“The course covers 135 miles across Northern Minnesota on rugged, scenic Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail from International Falls to Tower, MN Fortune Bay Casino. Pick your mode of transport at start: bicycle, ski or foot. This is our 21st year of Arrowhead Ultra- we attract some of the best winter ultra-athletes in the world. The Arrowhead 135 is recognized in the book “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges” by Richard Hoad and Paul Moore as one of the 50 toughest races in the world. It is a human powered Ultra Marathon taking place in the coldest part of winter in the coldest city in the lower 48 states.”
January 31, 2026
St. Cloud Winter Chill at Riverside Park, St. Cloud, MN, Co-Sponsor with St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Department.
Afternoon of free outside winter activities, ski equipment provided!
1:00-4:00pm
“Bundle up and enjoy free outdoor winter fun for the whole family at Riverside Park! Winter activities include sledding, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, arts and crafts, making s’mores over the fire, prizes, and much more. Free introductory lessons are provided by the Nordic Ski Club of Central MN. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Bring your own winter activity equipment from home (snowshoes, skis, sleds, etc.). Snowshoes will also be available for use while supplies last. No registration required.”
February 1, 2026
Annual Sons of Norway Barnelopet, a fun youth ski race for ages 3-13
Free youth ski, boots, and pole rentals are provided by the Minnesota Youth Ski League
11:30am Registration
1:00pm Youth Races begin
February 1-28, 2026
Stearns County Parks Ski Sampler
Stearns County Parks and the Nordic Ski Club of Central Minnesota encourage you to Ski and Sample the trails in four parks: Quarry, Warner Lake, Mississippi River, and Kramer Lake- Wildwood. Check out the trail maps on our Trails page.
For each park you ski, register your name in the prize drawing (one entry per park). Ski all four parks to receive a bonus entry, Join our club to receive another bonus entry! Prizes include Quarry Park Annual Parking Permits, Gift Cards to Revolution Cycle & Ski and Fitzharris Ski & Sport, and delicious Wildwood Ranch Maple Syrup! Given our poor snow conditions, hiking counts for the sampler.
February 15, 2026 CANCELLED due to poor snow conditions
Learn to Ski event at Mississippi River County Park, 1:00-4:00 PM. The Stearns County Ski trailer will be on-site to provide classic skis, boots and poles for free. Ski Club members will provide basic instruction and lead group skis for those new to Nordic skiing. This counts towards the Ski Sampler!
February 21, 2026 CANCELLED due to poor snow conditions
Learn to Ski event at Warner Lake County Park,1:00-4:00 PM. The Stearns County Ski trailer will be on-site to provide classic skis, boots and poles for free. Ski Club members will provide basic instruction and lead group skis for those new to Nordic skiing. This counts towards the Ski Sampler!
HIGH SCHOOL NORDIC SKI SCHEDULE
The Central Lakes Conference (CLC) currently includes the school districts of Alexandria, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, St. Cloud, Rocori, Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice, and Willmar. Bemidji will be joining the CLC in Fall 2026.
As with all scheduled races, before traveling please check to make sure the event hasn’t been cancelled! This happens frequently for December races due to lack of snow.
December 2, 2025 CANCELLED POOR CONDITIONS
Moorhead/Detroit Lake Sprints at Detroit Mountain Recreation Area. 10 AM
29409 170th St, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
December 6, 2025 CANCELLED POOR CONDITIONS
Bemidji Invite at Montebello Cross Country Ski Trail. 10 AM
1224 23rd Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
December 11, 2025
Alexandria Invite at Andes Tower Hills. Classic racing! 10 AM
4505 Andes Rd SW, Kensington, MN 56343
December 16, 2025
Detroit Lakes Invite at Maplelag Resort. 10 AM
30501 Maplelag Rd, Callaway, MN 56521
December 30, 2025
Brainerd Invite at Northland Arboretum. 10 AM
14250 Conservation Dr, Baxter, MN 56425
January 6, 2026
Moorhead JH/JV Invite at Maplelag Resort. 10 AM
30501 Maplelag Rd, Callaway, MN 56521
January 10, 2026
St. John’s Prep PBJ Invite at St. John’s University. 2:30 PM
2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN
January 10, 2026
Mesabi Invite at Giant’s Ridge. 10 AM
6329 Wynne Creek Dr, Biwabik, MN 55708
January 13, 2026 CANCELLED POOR CONDITIONS
Fergus Falls Invite at Spidahl Skigaard. 10 AM
26002 Co Hwy 22, Erhard, MN 56534
January 17, 2026 (NORTH) CANCELLED POOR CONDITIONS
Bemidji Invite at Buena Vista Ski Area. 10 AM
19600 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
January 17, 2026 (SOUTH)
Willmar Invite at Eagle Creek Golf Course.
1000 26th Ave NE #2179, Willmar, MN 56201
January 22, 2026 CANCELLED EXTREME COLD CONDITIONS
Little Falls Invite at Camp Ripley. 10 AM
15000 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345
January 27, 2026
CLC Races at Andes Tower Hills. 9 AM
4505 Andes Rd SW, Kensington, MN 56343
January 29, 2026
Junior High Championship at Sartell Middle School. 4 PM
708 7th Street N, Sartell, MN 56377
February 3-6, 2026
State Section Championships at Maplelag Resort and Theodore Wirth Park 9 AM
Skiinyski.com is a great resource for High School Racing News. Section 5 (at Theo Wirth Feb 4) includes Sauk-Rapids Rice and St Cloud Crush Section 8 (at Maplelag Feb 3) includes Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Little Falls, Sartell-Cathedral, St John’s Prep
February 11-12, 2026
Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL )
High & Middle /Junior School Boys & Girls Nordic Ski Racing State Tournament
Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort ( https://www.giantsridge.com/ )
Sprints on February 11, Pursuit on February 12, 2026.
[Even years: Team Sprint – Classic, Odd years: Team Sprint – Skate]
Boys/Girls will alternate who competes first in the Team Sprint every two years.