There is a buzz about the skiing at Lake Elmo Park Reserve this winter. Located a short drive east of St. Paul, the park has long been a popular destination, but with recent improvements it has become a true destination for Twin Cities skiers.

The 2,165-acre park features a new Nordic Center, with locker rooms, a large lounge with a fireplace, and waxing racks outside. From this hub, skiers can access twenty kilometers (twelve miles) of ski trails, all of them recently widened and leveled to accommodate classic tracks and a skate lane.

Have you ever strapped on snowshoes at a popular park only to find the trails well-packed and better suited for regular boots? A hike on Saturday at Wild River State Park offered a better way.

Our new contributing editor kicks off the New Year with a cold and inspiring hike at Afton State Park.

Afton State Park naturalist Linda Radimecky