Winter Trail Use: What You Need to Know for 2025

WINNESHIEK COUNTY — As winter weather descends on the community, outdoor enthusiasts are gearing up for the season's best snowy activities. Whether you're a fan of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling, local winter trail options offer something for everyone. Mallory McArtor, Superintendent of Recreation and Business at Decorah Parks and Recreation, speaks on trail use and maintenance in the area. Updates for Winter 2025Winter trail and recreation information for the 2025 season will start being updated on the Parks and Rec website as soon as winter trail maintenance begins. McArtor emphasized that trail conditions and status will be updated "as needed" throughout the winter season. The city's Parks and Rec team works hard to keep the community informed and ensure safe, enjoyable experiences on local trails. Local Trail GroupsWhile Decorah has several winter trail options, the number of organized winter trail groups is limited. McArtor shared that the Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT) is the primary volunteer-driven organization focused on winter trails. DHPT manages and maintains groomed trails for mountain biking on city property during the winter months. Winneshiek Trail Twisters Snowmobile Club is responsible for maintaining snowmobile trails throughout Winneshiek County, though their trails are not located on city property. While Decorah Parks and Rec. does not provide maintenance for snowmobile trails, they support the work of these dedicated volunteers and clubs. If you're interested in joining these groups or participating in events, both are active on social media. The Winneshiek Trail Twisters can be found on Facebook, and you can also contact Club President Kevin Downing at 563-380-6779 or via email at wtrailtwisters2022@gmail.com. You can connect with Decorah Human Powered Trails through their Facebook page. Trail Maintenance: How It WorksDecorah Parks and Rec. maintains winter trails primarily for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. McArtor explained that Parks staff begins the preparation process by rolling the trails to create a solid base. After this base is established, grooming takes place. For trails wide enough, an extra lane is added specifically for skate skiing. The key to starting trail maintenance is snow. The Parks team requires at least six inches of snow on the ground to begin rolling and creating a solid base. Anything less than that simply doesn't provide enough of a foundation for proper grooming. Once the base is established, more snow accumulates, and cold temperatures are maintained. The trails are regularly preserved with the groomer. Finding the TrailsIf you're planning to hit the trails this winter, Decorah Parks and Rec. offers a detailed Winter Use Trails Map. The map covers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing routes, helping you navigate the best spots for your winter adventures. As winter sets in, stay up to date on trail conditions, support local trail groups, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors that Winneshiek County has to offer. For more information on local trails, check out https://parks.decorahia.org/trail-maps. Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.