Cross-country skiers must purchase a ski pass, and carry it with them while skiing. The passes are required on all Grant-in-Aid and state-operated cross-country ski trails, including trails in state parks and state forests.

The sale of the ski passes is what funds the Grant-in-Aid program for ski trails. That money is used to maintain the more than 1,600 miles of designated cross-country ski trails throughout Minnesota. Ski passes cost $5 for the daily, $15 for the annual, and $40 for the three-year pass.

State law requires skiers 16 years of age and older to have a valid Minnesota ski trail pass with them at all times while on a designated trail. DNR Enforcement Chief Mike Hamm said the Enforcement Division will once again have an enforcement presence on the ski trails this year.

“Anyone caught without a pass may be ticketed,” said Hamm.
Passes may be purchased at any one of 1,800 electronic licensing agents throughout Minnesota, and at most state parks that have ski trails.