North Dakotans' reaction to winter is: "LET'S PLAY". Winter is yet another season to enjoy the fresh air, fresh snow, and some of the best time to catch the Northern Lights.
For more information
North Dakota Tourism/Jason Lindsey
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiers have a wide variety of trails to choose from, through parks, along rivers and even through the Badlands. Blaze your own trail or view a list of available trails by clicking here.
Dog Sledding Wonders of Winter (W.O.W.) - Here is your opportunity to learn about dog sledding; from the history of dog teams hauling freight to experiencing being behind a team of freight sled dogs. Hands on experience harnessing, hooking dogs into the gangline and becoming part of the team with the sled dogs. You wonder, "What is a gangline or harness?" Here at Prairie Isle Dog Trekking you will learn all about the equipment used in freight dog sledding, plus the training, nutritional needs and health care for these amazing athletes. Join the Prairie Isle sled dogs for a W.O.W. Paw'tastic experience at Red Willow Bible Camp and Retreat (Binford, ND) Prairie Isle Dog Trekking
Ice Fishing Anglers will find excellent ice fishing opportunities on North Dakota’s lakes and rivers, as yellow perch, northern pike and walleye bite through the winter. Ice fishing is especially popular at Devils Lake, a world renowned perch fishery, as well as Icelandic and Lake Metigoshe state parks, and on Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon. View the video below to watch some ice fishing fun!
Perch Patrol on Kent Hrbek Outdoors
Sledding and Skating
Whether you crave the nostalgic experience of skating at the local pond, or steering the hottest toboggan to hit the snow, you can find it in North Dakota. All major cities have indoor skating rinks and most communities have outdoor rinks and sledding hills.
North Dakota Tourism/Dawn Charging
Snowmobiling Is 1,800 miles of groomed snowmobile trails enough for you? If not, there are several hundred miles of less developed trails for you to explore. Well-developed trails take you through the forests of the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Gorge, the scenic valleys of the Sheyenne, Missouri and Red rivers, the Badlands and the endless shorelines of Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea. Information on snow conditions for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing is available weekly at www.NDtourism.com.
Contact North Dakota Parks and Recreation and Snowmobile North Dakota for more trail information at 701-328-5357 or e-mail Snowmobile North Dakota at snodak@midconetwork.com. For information on a specific trail, please visit the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Web site.
*State snowmobile trails open December 1, providing there is at least 4 inches of snow on the trail. The season closes April 1. The Lake Metigoshe/Peace Garden Trail opens December 15 to avoid conflicts with the moose hunting season.
