014_1505Summer.pdf
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People who love in-line skat- ing also love Minnesota’s paved trail system. They love Minnesota trails enough to spend $1,600 for a five-day skating vacation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and 500 miles of smooth, wide trails across city and country. That is why Allan Wright of Zephyr Adventures out of Red Lodge, Mont., has been bringing groups from across the nation to Minnesota since 1998. “This is some of the best skat- ing in the nation,” said Wright. “The trails are smooth with few hills and nice scenery as well as some interesting little towns to spend the night.” The good maintenance of Minnesota trails is another rea- son Zephyr brings groups to the state, according to Zephyr opera- tions manager Kris Keys. “Because of budget issues, many states have let their trails deteriorate, which may not both- er bikers but is challenging for skaters. Minnesota is the excep- tion,” said Keys. Zephyr takes 15 to 25 skat- ers on trips to Minnesota as well as around the world. Wright re- ports his customers give Minne- sota a 100 percent. “As much as the skating, people like the small towns and by Dave Simpkins Trails Publisher MINNESOTA’S PAVED TRAILS ATTRACT SKATING TOURISTS the people they meet. We always try to find a unique hotel, a win- ery to tour or festival to attend,” said Wright. “We usually have to convince people that they should skate in Minnesota, but once they come, they love it.” Zephyr meets their skating customers at the airport and they provide everything from transportation, lodging, meals, support and staff to guide and assist along the trails. Zephyr’s skate days begin with a breakfast briefing where itineraries are determined by individual skill levels. Skaters will skate from 12 to 30 miles in the morning. A support van will gather the group for lunch. Some will con- tinue skating while others may prefer to take in local at- tractions. Keys not- ed skating has been declining but their Min- nesota trips are always booked up. “Minnesota is helping the sport by provid- ing such good trails.” “This is another reason peo- ple love skating in Minnesota; there are so many other things to do while they are here,” said Wright. They like to stay in nice ho- tels in downtown Minneapolis or unique hotels in rural Minne- sota. Keys concluded, “There is nothing like skating on a nice, smooth trail through nature and then end the day with a swim, a concert or a big meal.” 14 Summer 2015 Minnesota Trails 1505Summer.indd 14 5/5/15 1:26 PM
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People who love in-line skat-ing also love Minnesotas paved trail system.They love Minnesota trails enough to spend $1,600 for a five-day skating vacation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and 500 miles of smooth, wide trails across city and country.That is why Allan Wright of Zephyr Adventures out of Red Lodge, Mont., has been bringing groups from across the nation to Minnesota since 1998.This is some of the best skat-ing in the nation, said Wright. The trails are smooth with few hills and nice scenery as well as some interesting little towns to spend the night.
The good maintenance of Minnesota trails is another rea-son Zephyr brings groups to the state, according to Zephyr opera-tions manager Kris Keys.
Because of budget issues, many states have let their trails deteriorate, which may not both-er bikers but is challenging for skaters. Minnesota is the excep-tion, said Keys. Zephyr takes 15 to 25 skat-ers on trips to Minnesota as well as around the world. Wright re-ports his customers give Minne-sota a 100 percent.
As much as the skating, people like the small towns and
by Dave SimpkinsTrails Publisher
MINNESOTAS PAVED TRAILS ATTRACT
SKATING TOURISTSthe people they meet. We always try to find a unique hotel, a win-ery to tour or festival to attend, said Wright. We usually have to convince people that they should skate in Minnesota, but once they come, they love it.Zephyr meets their skating customers at the airport and they provide everything from transportation, lodging, meals, support and staff to guide and assist along the trails.Zephyrs skate days begin with a breakfast briefing where itineraries are determined by individual skill levels. Skaters will skate from 12 to 30 miles in the morning. A support van will gather the group for lunch. Some will con-tinue skating while others may prefer to take in local at-tractions.Keys not-ed skating has been declining but their Min-nesota trips are always booked up. Minnesota is helping the sport by provid-ing such good trails.
This is another reason peo-ple love skating in Minnesota; there are so many other things to do while they are here, said Wright.They like to stay in nice ho-tels in downtown Minneapolis
or unique hotels in rural Minne-sota.Keys concluded, There is
nothing like skating on a nice, smooth trail through nature and then end the day with a swim, a concert or a big meal.
14 Summer 2015 Minnesota Trails
1505Summer.indd 14 5/5/15 1:26 PM
