Despite the freezing weather that happened during the week, the cold let up for a day of family fun. On Saturday, the Grand Forks Park District held the Greenway Ski Day, which has been a Grand Forks institution for more than 20 years.

The Greenway Ski Day event was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lincoln Park. The event was completely free and had a lot of fun activities to offer for people of all ages.

The Grand Forks Park District provides the Grand Forks community with parks, programs, facilities and other resources. It helps people live healthier and more enjoyable lives within the community.

The Ski & Bike Shop was located in the warming house and was sizing people and giving them free rentals for the day. Skating rentals were also available.

Point Paradise Stables, located in East Grand Forks, supplied horse drawn carriages that went through the park.

Besides skiing, ice skating, and horse drawn carriages, they had sledding, snowshoeing, a chili feed which was donated by Southgate. There was also hot cocoa and coffee to warm up.  

All were encouraged to participate, try something new and find something they enjoy.

Lynn Roche, the special events manager for the Grand Forks Park District paired up with Terry at the Ski & Bike Shop to make this happen. Roche has been working for the Grand Forks Park District for over 20 years.

She enjoys this event and although it has been going on for a long time, the overall meaning and goal remains the same.

“We have to utilize what we have here. I know the kids get to cross country ski at school and this way they get to bring their family and make it a family affair” said Roche.

Although the list of things to do outside in the winter is short, events like this make it enjoyable to be outside and get some fresh air. Not only that, this is a great event for skiers and beginners who are thinking about giving cross country skiing a try.

“It’s about enjoying the outdoors,” Roche said. “It’s an opportunity to get out and have quality family time and to meet a new friend.”

The Greenway Ski Day is a way to bring the community together. It is a well organized event that is for people of all ages because it offers a little bit of everything.

Cross country skiing is an activity that can keep people busy and give them another option instead of staying inside.

“It’s something simple. You can start young and go until your 90”  Roche said.

Although the entire event offers a lot Roche said her favorite part is seeing people enjoy themselves.

“Just watching people enjoy themselves. If they fall they make fun of themselves and there is a lot of smiles.” said Roche.

The Greenway Ski Day was an event fit for all ages and an overall fun time.

If you missed the event on on Saturday but would still like to give skiing a try, the warming house in Lincoln Park is open during the week and they have free rentals. The hours are Monday – Friday 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on the weekends it is open from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. They also have free skates and sleds in the warming house as well.