- Estimated Cost: $230
- Deposit: $60
- Max Trip Size: 45 people
Annual Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing and Nature Education at Deep Portage Environmental Learning Center. We have secured President’s Weekend this year (Feb 13-16) so you have the option of making this a long weekend!
Come to Deep Portage Environmental Learning Center in Hackensack (north of Brainerd) for a pleasant weekend of winter fun. Activities include skiing (11 miles of groomed trails for traditional cross-country), snowshoeing, climbing wall, stargazing from the observation tower, reading or socializing by the fireplace with a glass of wine, or just enjoying the beauty of a MN winter. Ski equipment or snowshoes available, free of charge, for the weekend. Other nearby ski trails include Hiram Ski Trail and Goose Lake Trail (in Chippewa National Forest).
Dorm-style rooms have their own bathroom with shower and sink areas. There will be approx. two to three people in rooms-lower bunks-so lots of room to stretch out. Bring your own bedding (sleeping bag or sheets), pillow and towels. There are a limited number of single occupancy room options available for this trip. There has some interest expressed in opening the trip up for families with children so we will set aside a couple rooms for families.
As of right now, I am still unsure if Deep Portage staff will be able to provide meals to us or if we will once again prepare group meals for breakfast and dinner. If that is the case, the group meals prepared by Rover volunteers will be Saturday, Sunday and Monday breakfasts and Saturday and Sunday supper. (We will be looking for volunteers to help on this.) Friday dinner and all lunches will be “bring your own food”. Deep Portage has two lounges where you will be able to store and prepare your lunches and/or a simple heat and serve Friday dinner for yourself, if you choose. There are also a number of restaurants in Hackensack where you can get a Friday dinner.
The total cost of the trip will be approx $230-320, depending on your lodging choices and the unknowns of meal costs. This includes 2 or 3 nights lodging, a robust DP led activity schedule plus Rover led activities and 5 hearty and delicious Rover-prepared meals (Breakfasts on Saturday, Sunday and Monday; dinner on Saturday and Sunday). Meals and snacks will be approx $50-60/pp for the weekend, depending on how many days you are there and the big unknown of whether Deep Portage has meal service or if they will be Rover prepared group meals. A $60 non-refundable deposit will be due when you register. Remainder due weekend of event.
- $172/person plus meals for shared rooms (Fri & Sat)
- $192/person plus meals for single rooms (Fri & Sat). There are a limited number of single-occupancy room options available for this trip.
- $130/child ages 12-15 plus meals (Fri & Sat)
- $105/child (under age of 12) plus meals (Fri & Sat)
- Additional night (Sunday) is $75 per person (all ages)
A shared spreadsheet that you can use to arrange carpooling will be sent out to registered participants closer to the event.
To secure your spot you can send check or Venmo to Karen P, or PayPal to Melissa B. Contact Karen by email for address to mail check or for Venmo info. Contact Melissa for PayPal info