Ski or snowshoe by candlelight

On a cold winter's night, follow the twinkling lights.

The Luminary Loppet in Minneapolis. — A forest of glowing pyramids lights the way at Minneapolis' Luminary Loppet.

If you do only one thing outdoors in winter, do it by candlelight.

Nothing is more magical than a forest full of flickering lights. I got hooked when I skied in Minnesota's Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

A fat blue moon hung in the sky, sparkling hoarfrost made twigs as nubby as reindeer antlers and more than 400 glowing bags gave the forest a fairy-tale aura.

That was especially memorable, but so was every other time: on the Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, past the cascading ice of the Blue Wall; on Chequamegon Bay, with fireworks bursting ahead; along the shore of Lake Bemidji, with city lights twinkling on the horizon.

But all of the events are lovely, and all end with hot drinks and bonhomie around the bonfire. They're all put on with the help of volunteers — a gift to anyone who wants to venture out on a cold winter's night.

Many parks line only their groomed ski trails with lights, but some also light trails for snowshoeing and hiking.

Most will hold a candlelight walk if there's not enough snow, but always check for cancellations, especially if it's been very cold or a storm is expected.

More and more nature centers are holding smaller events.

And you can always make your own luminary course with friends; see How to make ice luminaries.

If you want to ski with even more light, look for an event close to the full moons. In 2023, they're Jan. 6, Feb. 5 and March 7.

Some ski trails are lighted with electricity daily or on weekends. For more, see For skiers, lighted trails.

Candlelight skiing in Michigan. — State parks offer dozens of candlelight ski, snowshoe and hike nights.

Some parks rent skis and/or snowshoes. For a really special evening, rent a camper cabin or yurt and ski right up to your door when you're finished (reserve far in advance). Most events are held 5-8 or 6-9 p.m., but check for details.

Beginners can try candlelight events on bicycle trails, which are flat. The event on the Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, Wis., is a particularly good one.

If you need to know how to get started in the sport, see Cross-country skiing 101.

For more, see our Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing sections.

Here are the candlelight nights in 2023.

MINNESOTA

Dec. 27, Lester Park in Duluth from the Lester-Amity Chalet, ski and social.

Skiers relax by the bonfire. — After a candlelight ski in Michigan, skiers relax by the bonfire.

Dec. 30, Lake Carlos State Park near Alexandria, hike.

Jan. 1, Minnesota state parks: Forestville-Mystery Cave near Preston, hike.

Jan. 6, Luce Line State Trail from Plymouth, walk.

Jan. 13, Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 20, Spring Lake Park Reserve near Hastings, ski or hike, $8.

Jan. 21, Minnesota state parks: Sibley near New London, hike. Itasca, lantern-lit snowshoe.

Jan. 27, Gateway State Trail in Mahtomedi, Minn., walk.

Jan. 27, Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 27, Voyageurs National Park near International Falls, snowshoe.

Jan. 28, Mora Lantern Loppet at the Vasaloppet Ski Area, 15 miles north of Mora, and 10 miles east of Isle, a town on the southeast corner of Lake Mille Lacs, ski.

Jan. 28, Minnesota state parks: Lake Bemidji near Bemidji, snowshoe or hike. Nerstrand Big Woods near Northfield, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 28, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Little Falls, ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 28, Hartley Nature Center in Duluth, ski, snowshoe and fat-tire biking, $15 including rentals and food. Register in advance.

Feb. 4, Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center near Duluth, ski and snowshoe, $10.

Feb. 4, Minnesota state parks: Mille Lacs Kathio near Onamia, ski or snowshoe. Fort Ridgley near, ski, snowshoe or hike. Afton near St. Paul, snowshoe or hike. Rice Lake near Owatonna, ski, snowshoe or hike. Frontenac near Lake City, ski, snowshoe or hike. Blue Mounds near Luverne, snowshoe or hike. Lac Qui Parle near Montevideo, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 10, Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Feb. 10, Prairie Island Campground in Winona, snowshoe.

Feb. 11, Minnesota state parks: Forestville-Mystery Cave near Preston, snowshoe, hike. Lake Bemidji near Bemidji, ski. Minneopa near Mankato, snowshoe or hike. Wild River near North Branch, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Candlelight skiing in a state park. — Ice candles illuminate a state-park trail in Minnesota.

Feb. 11, Ney Nature Center in Henderson, ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 11, Hidden Valley Ski Trails near Ely, ski, part of Winter Festival.

Feb. 17, Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, ski, snowshoe or hike, $8.

Feb. 18, Minnesota state parks: Itasca, lantern-lit snowshoe or hike. Gooseberry Falls near Two Harbors, ski, snowshoe or hike. Myre-Big Island near Albert Lea, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 18, Sugarbush Trail from Oberg Mountain trailhead near Tofte, ski and snowshoe.

Feb. 18, City of Lakes Luminary Loppet in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood, ski or snowshoe on Lake of the Isles, past magical ice ruins, pillars and a twinkling island. Reserve early for the time slot you want. Rescheduled from Feb. 4.

Feb. 25, Minnesota state parks: Maplewood near Pelican Rapids, ski, snowshoe or hike. Lake Bronson near Karlstad, ski, snowshoe or hike.

The candlelight ski at Gooseberry Falls State Park. — Skiers and snowshoers gather around a bonfire during the popular candlelight event in Gooseberry Falls State Park.

March 4, Minnesota state parks: Lake Carlos near Alexandria, snowshoe or hike.

March 4, Lester Park in Duluth, ski.

March 18, Minnesota state parks: Big Bog near Waskish, snowshoe or hike.

WISCONSIN

Dec. 26-30, Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, walk, $5.

Dec. 28, Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve near Green Bay, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Dec. 31, Minocqua Winter Park, ski or snowshoe.

Dec. 31, Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 1, Rhinelander Community Trails in Rhinelander, ski.

Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Jan. 7, Wisconsin state parks: Wildcat Mountain near Ontario, ski, snowshoe or hike and star-gazing. Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, ski, snowshoe or hike. Rib Mountain in Wausau, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 7, Storrs Lake Wildlife Area on the Ice Age Trail near Milton, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 13 and 27 and Feb. 24, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 13, Beaver Creek Reserve east of Eau Claire, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 14, Devil's Lake near Baraboo, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 14, Aldo Leopold Nature Center/Woodland Park in Madison, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 14, Minocqua Winter Park, ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 15, Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 20, Navarino Wildlife Area near Appleton, snowshoe or ski, $5 or food donation.

Jan. 21, Minooka Park in Waukesha, part of the Janboree festival, hike. Sign up in advance for starting slots.

Jan. 21, Mount Ashwabay near Bayfield, ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 21, Warner Park in Madison, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 21, Point Beach State Forest near Two Rivers, ski. Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area near Horicon, snowshoe or hike.

Candlelight ski on the Red Cedar Trail. — On the Red Cedar State Trail, an ice wall is lighted for the late-January candlelight ski.

Jan. 27, Red Cedar State Trail from Menomonie, ski or hike.

Jan. 28, MECCA Trails near Mercer, ski, snowshoe or hike, part of Winterfest.

Jan. 28, Silverwood Park northeast of Edgerton, hike.

Jan. 28, Wisconsin state parks: Kettle Moraine-Lapham Peak near Delafield, ski or hike. Whitefish Dunes near Sturgeon Bay, ski or hike.

Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike, $5.

Feb. 3, Navarino Wildlife Area near Appleton, snowshoe or ski, $5 or food donation.

Feb. 3, Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 4, Woodland Dunes Nature Center in Two Rivers, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Candlelight hike at St. Croix State Park. — Hikers follow a trail above the river at Minnesota's St. Croix State Park.

Feb. 4, Wisconsin state parks: Afterhours Ski Trail in Brule River State Forest near Superior, ski or snowshoe. Mirror Lake near Wisconsin Dells, ski, snowshoe or hike. Black River Forest near Black River Falls, ski, snowshoe or hike. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit near Campbellsport, ski or hike. Rib Mountain in Wausau, snowshoe or hike. Peninsula between Fish Creek and Ephraim, ski, snowshoe or hike (get free voucher in advance). Blue Mound near Mount Horeb, ski, snowshoe or hike. Copper Falls near Mellen, ski or snowshoe. Flambeau River east of Hayward, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 4, Stower Seven Lakes Trail near Amery, ski, snowshoe, hike or fat bike.

Feb. 5, Wisconsin state parks: Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 9, Lake Mendota in Madison, ski, snowshoe or hike, part of the Memorial Union's Winter Carnival.

Feb. 11, Wisconsin state parks: Devil's Lake near Baraboo, snowshoe or hike. Interstate, ski, snowshoe or hike. Newport near Ellison Bay, ski, snowshoe or hike. Willow River near Hudson, ski, snowshoe or hike. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit, ski, snowshoe or hike. Governor Thompson near Crivitz, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 11, MacKenzie Center near Poynette, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 11, Centennial Park in Altoona east of Eau Claire, snowshoe.

Feb. 17, Crossroads at Big Creek Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay, ski, snowshoe or hike, part of Fire & Ice Weekend.

Feb. 18, Minocqua Winter Park, ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 18, Awassa Trails near St. German, ski, snowshoe or fat bike.

Feb. 18, Book Across the Bay benefit race/tour across Chequamegon Bay between Ashland and Washburn, 10-kilometer ski, snowshoe or walk.

Feb. 18, Wisconsin state parks: New Glarus Woods in New Glarus, snowshoe or hike. Sandhill Wildlife Area near Babcock, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 25, Three Bridges Park in Milwaukee, snowshoe or walk on the Hank Aaron State Trail.

Feb. 25, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge near Trempealeau, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 25, Wisconsin state parks: Hartman Creek near Waupaca, ski, snowshoe or hike.

March 3, Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center near Westby, snowshoe or hike.

March 3, Howl Adventure Center near Bayfield, ski, snowshoe or fat bike, part of Winter Festival.

March 11, Wisconsin state parks: Big Foot Beach near Lake Geneva, hike.

U.P. AND WEST MICHIGAN

Dec. 23 and 30, Mount McSauba recreation are a in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Dec. 26, Maasto Hiito trails in Hancock, ski, snowshoe or snow bike.

Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Mount McSauba recreation area in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Book Across the Bay skiers. — Skiers head out from Ashland on Book Across the Bay.

Jan. 6, Michigan state parks: Van Riper west of Marquette, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 7, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 7, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Jan. 14, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, ski or hike.

Jan. 20, Michigan state parks: Van Riper west of Marquette, snowshoe or hike.

Skiers on the Luminary Loppet. — Skiers glide from lake to lake in Minneapolis' Luminary Loppet.

Jan. 20, Grass River Natural Area east of Traverse City, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Jan. 21, Michigan state parks: Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness near Silver City, ski or hike.

Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24, Mount McSauba recreation are a in Charlevoix, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 3, Michigan state parks: Van Riper west of Marquette, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 4, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 4, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness near Silver City, lantern-lit, ski and snowshoe (or hike unless trails are icy). Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

Feb. 11, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 17, Grass River Natural Area east of Traverse City, ski, snowshoe or hike.

Feb. 18, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the Dune Climb near Empire, hike.

Feb. 18, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Ludington, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

Candles light the Root River State Trail. — In southeast Minnesota, luminaries line the Root River State Trail for the annual candlelight ski from Whalan.

Feb. 25, Michigan state parks: Tahquamenon Falls near Newberry, lantern-lit snowshoe. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, lantern-lit ski, snowshoe or hike.

March 4, Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island, lantern-lit ski or snowshoe.

ILLINOIS

Jan. 13-14, Rush Creek Conservation Area near Harvard, ski or hike.

Feb. 10-11, Prairieview Education Center near Crystal Lake, ski or hike.

MORE EVENTS

For moonlight snowshoeing and other snowshoe events, check state parks in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin (type "candlelight" under "Keywords").

Though the park events are free, most state parks and park reserves require a vehicle permit for the evening. Events in Minnesota also require a state ski pass, $10 daily and $25 annual.

In Wisconsin, some events require a state trails pass, $5 daily or $25 annual; the pass also is good for bicycling trails.

Last updated on February 5, 2022

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