Trail Detail

Rochester, MN
12K
Skating/Classic
No
Yes
1 Primary 1 45th St Lot
(507) 328-2525
[ NWS ]
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Notes

Trails mostly through fairly open terrain, with both flat and challenging areas. There is a 3.7K man-made snow loop, groomed and track by a PistenBully, and a large parking lot, but no chalet. There is a second lot off 45th St.
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Trail Reports

Reports 40 to 49 of 64    Month: Mar | Feb | Jan | Dec
Monday, January 6, 2025
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, Good skis ]
Enjoyed getting out on the only snow in Rochester! Managed to get in 5+ miles going back and forth on the man-made snow, so definitely looking forward to some loops being formed: and that could be soon, based on the progress the snow movers were making this afternoon. Since I don't enjoy the fast downhill adjacent the sledding hill, I was happy to learn there's a lower gravel parking lot off of 45th St SE (shows up in Google maps as "Gamehaven Lake Access") that I'll use next time to access the trails.
(Luke Cossette)
Monday, January 6, 2025
Morning
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
Pros: The snow that has been made is nicely groomed and in good condition. Fresh corduroy around 9:30 this morning. A whole team of snowmakers and Roch Parks employees were out working this morning making snow and moving snow. Cons: The trail is like a series of cul-de-sacs- no continuous loop. Hopefully they are working to improve this as no one likes to do 180 degree turns in the middle of their ski. Lots of good quality groomed snow is all the way across the sled hill. Kids can't stop their sleds on such a steep downhill and could cross into "skiing" areas, which is a hazard to both skier and sledder. Long walk on gravel from lower parking lot, not great for ski boots.
Photos:
(Melissa Broski)
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
First time here, so didn't know what to expect. In short, I found the snow that's there and the grooming to be quite nice, with wide skate decks and barely any sugar buildup. It's really nice to have both some flat, out and back, as well as a decent and wide (albeit steep) hill to climb. Much more snow has been and was being made while we were there today, so hopeful for more and more broadly connected sections in the near future. Huge thanks to all that are making this happen!
Photos:
(Pieter DeHart)
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Morning
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ B skis ]
Great snow today, freshly groomed. Bridge over the road is better than yesterday. Hill was in great condition as well. Classic tracks looked perfect. Good to see other skiers out there.
(Andrew Shulha)
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Morning
Firsthand: Both 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
Today we have 1.8Km of tilled, combed, and tracked, machine made trail. Excellent classic and skating. BTW, there is currently no trail fee, so you have nothing to lose to try it out!
Photos:
(Jim Bennett)
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Morning
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
Yes, it's cold. But oh man was the snow good! Snow bridge is a little better today, and you can tell the trails are getting a little longer. Thank you groomers and Rochester Parks for making such an awesome place to ski! Thank you Jim Bennett for being the tip of the spear! Get out and ski!
Photos:
(Joey Furst)
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
Snowmaking loop is partially open, between 1 and 2k of rolled gold! The trails that are open are fabulous, but there is a snow-bridge at the end of the hill runout that's worth riding B skis for instead of your best.
Photos:
(Joey Furst)
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ B skis ]
The grooming on the man made snow was great today. I was skating but the tracks looked nice for classic as well. The ski bridge over the road is still thin with some rocks so recommend B/rock skis if you plan to ski over that. The groomed trail mostly consisted of the big hill and a couple out and backs, it would be nice if it became a full loop at some point. There were two snow guns running this afternoon so hopefully the trails get expanded in the future!
(Scott Foley)
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Morning
Firsthand: Both 
[ Trails Open: Partial, Good skis ]
Came back to the car for my classic skis: freshly tilled, groomed, tracked, think about 1.5 km total now. Only place B skis are needed is the temporary snow bridge we built over the road. Great skiing.
Photos:
(Jim Bennett)
Friday, January 3, 2025
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, Good skis ]
The hill and runout area are frozen granular but recently groomed - fast conditions. The park dept. has pushed out some of the new snow in the valley. Although you have to take your skis off to cross the access road, there is an out-and-back segment of new packed snow where a loop is about a 1/4 mile. Four complete laps was 1.07 miles. It isn't the most level but quite skiable. The guns were running when I arrived around noon and were later shut down to move them to different locations. It's the best skiing in town and you can spend an hour or more - worth the drive to the south of town.
(Bruce Walk)

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