Cross Country Ski Trail Grants-in-Aid (GIA)
The Cross Country Ski Trail Grants-in-Aid program by the Minnesota DNR funds scientific maintenance and grooming of Minnesota’s cross-country ski trails to ensure safe, high-quality winter recreation.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: December 15, 2026 (Trail Maintenance Benchmark) | December 31, 2026 (Summer/Fall Reimbursement) | May 30, 2027 (Annual Application & Final Reimbursement)
Funding Amounts: Typical annual awards range from ~$1,000 to ~$30,000 per trail; total program funding ~$265,000/year.
Summary: Supports annual maintenance and grooming of Minnesota’s cross-country ski trails through cost-sharing with local sponsors.
Key Information: Only local units of government (often in partnership with ski clubs) are eligible to apply.
Description
This program provides annual grants to support the maintenance, grooming, and setup of cross-country ski trails across Minnesota. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and funded by the Great Minnesota Ski Pass, the program ensures that approximately 700 miles of ski trails remain accessible, safe, and well-maintained for public winter recreation. Funding is distributed to local government sponsors (counties, cities, or townships), often in partnership with local ski clubs, to cover both preseason trail setup and ongoing winter grooming.
