The Nisswa 100: Snowmobile Racing Around Nisswa and Lake Shore

The Nisswa 100 is a cross-country snowmobile race held each winter on the trails and ditches around Nisswa and Lake Shore. The inaugural race ran February 26 and 27, 2022, organized by Northland Sports Center as a stop on the Cor Powersports professional series, and it has returned every winter since. For anyone who thinks of the lakes area as a summer-only destination, it is a reminder that the season here runs all year.

What the Race Looks Like

The inaugural course covered roughly 30 miles of ditches and groomed trails around Nisswa and Lake Shore, drawing an expected 150 to 170 racers. The 2023 race stretched to about 50 miles, mixing lake, ditches, woods, and fields, and the event was named the 2022 Venue of the Year for the Cor Powersports Cross Country Snowmobile Racing Series. Professional factory divisions race alongside local riders, so the field is a mix of serious talent and hometown participation.

Where It Runs

The event is based on Gull Lake just outside downtown Nisswa, and it uses county land and road right-of-way with approvals from Cass County. That means the course winds through the same woods and ditches that snowmobilers ride all winter, which is part of why the race feels like a natural extension of the area rather than a spectacle dropped in from somewhere else.

What It Says About Winter Here

**Trails are part of the culture.** The lakes area maintains hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, and the race celebrates a hobby that keeps people outdoors all season.

**Winter is a season, not an off-season.** Between the Winter Jubilee, ice fishing, and events like the Nisswa 100, the town stays active when the lake freezes.

**The community shows up.** A race of this scale needs volunteers, landowners, and county cooperation, and it gets them year after year.

The Honest Read

You do not need to own a snowmobile to appreciate the Nisswa 100. It is a sign that Nisswa's winter is lived, not just endured, and that matters for buyers considering a year-round move. If you want the full picture of the town behind the race, our Nisswa guide covers the lakes, the main street, and the community that keeps the calendar full.

Thinking about Nisswa? Schedule a conversation or browse current lake listings. Cheers!