Winter in motion by many means at state and regional parks

Itasca State Park, 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday

Lake Carlos State Park, 6-9 p.m. Saturday

Snowshoe, ski or hike by candlelight, and warm up later at the Lakeview shelter. If there is a lack of snow, you can still hike (1-320-852-7200, mndnr.gov).

Elm Creek Park Reserve, 9:30-11 a.m. (ages 6-8) and noon-1:30 p.m. (ages 9-12) Saturday

Introduce kids to skiing through fun activities and games. Cost is $17; $25 with ski rental. Fees for ski rentals do not include tax. Reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 (threeriversparks.org).

Richardson Nature Center, 2-3 p.m. Saturday

Take advantage of current snow and ice conditions. Activities may include snowshoeing, kicksledding, or building quinzhee shelters. Reservations required. Cost is $5 (763-694-7676, threeriversparks.org).

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday

The program starts with a lecture about some techniques in the auditorium, followed by a hike. Dress for the elements.

Topics covered include winter exposure challenges and how to protect equipment (952-854-5900, bit.ly/minnvall).

Hyland Lake Park Reserve, noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday

A fun lesson for children and adults to learn the basics: putting on equipment, falling down and getting up, diagonal stride and stopping. Cost is $18; $26 for ages 6-12 with ski rental and $30 for ages 13 and older with ski rental. Reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 and reference activity #122971-03 (threeriversparks.org).

Look for animal tracks and signs, talk about the history of the area, and take in the sights of a winter flood-plain forest