BERRIEN COUNTY — Parks across Berrien County will offer a variety of winter of winter activities this season. Those interested can bundle up and check out the following activities. While trails will be closed to hiking and dogs when snow is present, because footprints can damage the trails, the trails have been groomed and are in great shape for classic skiing, skate skiing and fat biking.

• Madeline Bertrand and Love Creek County Parks will offer cross-country skiing. Trails are groomed with consistency and ski rentals are available.

Bertrand features three miles of level to gently rolling trails for classic-style skiing through pine and oak forests and along the St. Joseph River. Skiers may also ski across the state line to trails in St. Patrick’s County Park.

Bertrand daily ski trail permits are honored on St. Patrick’s trails. Skiers crossing from St. Patrick’s must display a St. Patrick’s daily ski trail permit or stop in the Bertrand Visitor Center and purchase a daily permit to display while skiing Bertrand trails.

Love Creek offers five miles or more of open trails and wooded slopes and turns. In addition to tracks for classic-style skiing, many trails at Love Creek include a groomed lane for cross-country ski skating.

Trails are open at both parks during regular hours and for scheduled night ski events at Madeline Bertrand. Light Night Skiing takes place Fridays and Saturdays, until 9:30 p.m. Those interested are advised to check the website to confirm all night ski events. A ski trail permit is required for night ski events. Madeline Bertrand is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Love Creek will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Winter hiking and snowshoeing:

• Hiking and snowshoeing are not permitted on groomed cross-country ski trails at Madeline Bertrand or Love Creek.

• Separate winter hiking trails are available at both parks for hiking and snowshoeing when ski trails are open. (Snowshoes are required to hike on Love Creek’s winter hiking trail when groomed snow conditions exist.)

• When there is no snow, all trails at Madeline Bertrand and Love Creek are open for hiking.

• Snowshoe rentals are available at Love Creek for on-site use. The cost is $5 per day. A park entry fee is required, but a trail fee is not.

Rentals for off-site use may be arranged for an additional fee with advance notice. For more information, call Love Creek Park at (269) 471-2617, Madeline Bertrand County Park at (269) 683-8280.

Daily park entries are $3 per vehicle for Berrien County residents. Out-of-county residents cost $5 per vehicle. Annual Berrien County parks entrance permits are $35 (or $30 when purchased with a season ski permit). Daily winter (ski/snow bike) trail fees: adults – $5; youth (15 and under) cost $4 each.  Season Winter Trail Permits: adults cost $20; youth costs $15. Ski equipment rental is available at both parks and costs $10 for adults and $5 for youth.