The cross-country ski trails at the winter recreation area at Battle Creek Regional Park in Ramsey County are open, marking the season’s first man-made snow trails open in the east metro.

“We’re excited to share that the Horseshoe Trail has now been added and is ready for use!” officials announced in a press release on Friday.

Last week, Ramsey County announced the opening of the Stadium, Pond Loop, Prairie Pass and Prairie Loop trails.

The machines will get some help from Mother Nature this weekend, with the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service predicting a wintry mix; a winter weather advisory is in effect from midnight to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The winter recreation area can be accessed from 75 Winthrop St. S. in St. Paul.

County officials said the trails “provide winter recreation opportunities for the surrounding community and serves as a regional, statewide and national draw as a premier cross-country ski facility.”

The trails are lit at night, from sunset to 10 p.m.

“As temperatures continue to drop and snowfall increases, weekly trail condition updates will resume once the natural snow trails have been inspected and groomed for the first time,” the news release said.

The county said it will no longer accept the DNR Great Minnesota Ski Pass but that a collaborative trail pass system can be purchased through the city of St. Paul:

“To access snowmaking trails at Battle Creek, skiers must obtain an annual or daily All-Access Pass, which also permits access to all Saint Paul and Ramsey County ski trails,” the news release states. “When natural snow trails open, users will need either an All-Access Pass or a Natural Snow Pass.”

Ski passes can be purchased ahead of time online at ramseycounty.us/ski (prices range from $6 to $80).

Ski rentals are available inside the Battle Creek Recreation Center for $12.

Restrooms, warming space, lockers and storage cubbies can be found in the Battle Creek Recreation Center, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

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