Best of the Season: Winter Activities in Minnesota

Winter activities: they’re not for the faint of heart. Let’s be honest for a minute - we live in Minnesota - yes, the initial shock of winter takes some getting used to, but we aren’t going to spend almost half of the year indoors! Check out some of the best outdoor activities Minnesota has to offer this winter:

Served on the Rocks at an Ice Bar

What better way to enjoy a nice cold beer than by sitting on a big hunk of ice? Minnesota features ice bars across the state. The SocialICE in Rochester has icy signature drinks, twelve-foot artistic designed ice bars, an ice sculpture garden, and more. Make sure you take a trip to Rochester February 18th, 19th, and 20th for food, music, and a fabulous ice bar.

Ice Sculptures

Minnesotans pride themselves on their talent on the ice, off the ice, and with the ice. One of the state’s most time-honored traditions involves creative ice sculptures displays across the state. Eden Prairie has a beautiful and dazzling display of Ice Castles, which opened January 23rd and run through the end of February. The Ice Castles display is an excellent place to take a date or to set out on a family excursion.

Challenge Yourself

With extreme temperatures, there are bound to be extreme winter activities and challenges. Take Minnesota’s all-season sport of fishing out onto the ice this year. There are ice fishing contests and competitions across the state. Look for a location near you with the MNDNR. For the adrenaline junkies, the Minnesota Polar Bear Plunge is an excellent way of raising money for Special Olympics Minnesota athletes. There are plenty of locations and dates across the state that you can participate in for an extreme rush and good cause.

The Classics

With so many events to enjoy, make sure not to forget the classic winter activities. Go skiing and snowboarding at Powder Ridge, Lutsen Mountains, or Blackjack and Indianhead Mountain. Engage with the serenity of winter forests by snowshoeing with friends on a nighttime trail. Embrace your inner kid by grabbing a sled or snow tube and racing down a snow-covered hill. Try and see how many lakes you can go ice skating around. Minneapolis alone has two indoor rinks and 47 outdoor rinks to offer.

For more winter activity ideas, visit the DNR Winter Activities Guide. Embrace all that Minnesota has to offer and aim to fill this winter with exciting experiences and heart-warming memories.

Winter Weekend Getaways in Minnesota

By mid-February, most Minnesotan’s crave a vacation. After a snow event and frigid temps that normally follow, we all get locked  indoors for months without end. A get away from the stress of work (think frozen or broken water lines) and everyday life is sometimes just what we need. When a plane ticket to the Caribbean is not in the cards, what should you do instead?

The answer to that question is simple: take a Minnesota vacation! Below, we’ve listed 6 of our favorite places to visit on a quiet weekend in the dead of winter. These getaway spots are easy, accessible, and fun!

6. Minnesota State Parks

Minnehaha Falls is a natural winter wonderland. Sawdust_media, Flickr

Aside from lakes, Minnesota is full of state parks, each of which has something unique to offer its visitors -- no matter the season! In the wintertime, there are more than two dozen parks that offer heated cabin rentals, making it easy to explore and enjoy your favorite natural habitat no matter the temperature.

Bonus: Many state parks offer classes or events that help individuals and families learn new wintertime activities, including but not limited to ice fishing, snowshoeing, and winter birdwatching. 

Adventurers are welcome to explore Ely. Chad Hennell, Flickr

5. Grand Ely Lodge in Ely, MN

 Always a favorite in the summertime, Ely is a Minnesotan spot made for the avid type. In the wintertime, however, the options are even more endless. Downtown Ely houses many options for dining or shopping, while the great outdoor terrain offers ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing options.

Bonus: The Grand Ely Lodge has fish house rentals available on Shagawa Lake, which sits near miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Score!

 

4. Canal Park or Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN

Duluth, MN, is a winter haven. Canal Park, located right on Lake Superior, offers the best of dining, downtown shopping, and historic sightseeing all in one compact location. It’s the perfect destination for people who want a winter getaway but don’t necessarily want to hit the slopes.

Spirit Mtn. offers some of the best MN slopes. MarLeah Cole, Flickr

However, many Minnesotans love strapping on the skis in midst of freshly powdered hills, and there’s no better place to visit than Spirit Mountain in West Duluth. Affordable deals on skiing and snowboarding are offered by both the resort and nearby hotels, making it a great option for vacationers on a budget.

Bonus: Snowshoeing the Superior Hiking Trail, one of the most beautiful trails in Duluth, is free! Depending on the time of your stay, it is also a treat to watch the John Beargrease Sled-Dog Marathon with the kids.

Chilly family fun! Bearskin Lodge, Flickr

3. Bearskin Lodge in Gunflint Trail, MN Bearskin Lodge is an absolute winter wonderland, with something for everyone hidden somewhere in its depths. Snowshoeing is available through the woods and along Bearskin Lake on groomed trails, making it an ideal location for beginners and experts alike. Broomball, ice skating on the lake, dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling are also available!

Bonus: 1.5 km of Bearskin Lodge’s trails are lighted, so if you head over to Gunflint Trail, we strongly recommend trying your hand (or foot) at night skiing.

2. Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail, MN

Thumper Pond offers fun for the whole family, indoors or out. Thumperpond.com

Craving some open water instead of the frozen stuff this winter? Head to Thumper Pond Resort. Boasting a 12,000 square foot indoor waterpark, the venue is rustically themed and equipped to leave each family member having fun no matter their age. Activities included in the waterpark include slides, geysers, pools, lazy rivers and a multi-capacity whirlpool.

Bonus: Want the best of both worlds? To get your outside fix, utilize the more than 500-miles of snowmobile-friendly trails in the area. If riding’s not your style, cross country skiing and ice fishing at also available.

1. Lutsen Mountains in Lutsen, MN

Voted one of the top spots to downhill ski in our great state, the North Shore’s Lutsen Mountains are a must-see for anyone craving a bit of extreme outdoor activity. Inside its four hills and 1,000 acres, Lutsen offers 92 runs on some of the highest slopes in the region. Despite its extreme statistics, the area is also known for its family-friendly activities, lakeside dining room, and pool-sauna experiences.

Bonus: Want to take the region’s only gondola ride? It’s offered here exclusively. 

Beautiful slopes and intense terrain collide at Lutsen. John Warren, Flickr

 

We know we missed at least one? Comment below and let us know your favorite Minnesotan places to stay and enjoy the winter season. The opportunities are endless the beautiful state of Minnesota!

Minnesota Ice Fishing: Conditions and Tips

Winter in Minnesota can mean many things: blizzards, snowman building, puffy coats and woolen underwear. To many people all around the state, it also means fishing -- ice fishing, to be exact.

The act of ice fishing is simple -- drill a hole in the ice, stick your hook and bobber through, and wait for the fish to come biting-- but the art of it is an entirely different story that requires some patience, supplies, and good luck.

Ice fishing, along with many other winter activities involving ice, is encouraged only during safe conditions. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ice must be at least 4 inches before any activity may take place on it. This specification has so far caused a bit of a rough go for some fisherman this season. Many lakes, such as Leech Lake in Cass County, have broken their surfaces under the weight of heavy vehicles.

Other lakes, such as Hanson Lake in Becker County and Blacksmith, Blue, Crappie and Newman lakes in Hubbard County, are lakes formed by pits that used to be used in mining. Since sinking, they have become filled with water, becoming new habitats for fish. Annually, they are stocked with trout, making them popular for anglers looking to snag a few fresh fish. However, fisherman are encouraged to use caution when using them. “[These lakes] are much deeper and take longer to cool down in the fall than natural lakes,” says Al Stevens, fisheries program consultant with the DNR. “As a result, the ice is usually thinner than on other lakes.”

However, most of the other 10,000+ lakes have safe enough conditions to fish. Hidden Valley Pond in Cottage Grove, MN, recently held a first-time fisher’s outing. The event was attended by Jim Levitt, a fisheries specialist with the DNR, who noted that ice fishing was “a great opportunity to really get that true Minnesota experience.” Many towns situated on lakes or deep ponds are introducing the idea of ice fishing to their residents, hoping to teach the proper safety precautions while also establishing a fun activity for families.

Fish Tales, a Minnesota Fishing Report published by Outdoors Weekly, notes that depending on the area fishermen are interested in, good catches are abound. Walleyes and panfish, such as bluegills and crappies, are the most popular species to catch during a Minnesota winter. In other areas, sauger, perch, pike, crappie, and trout are all available.

When trying to catch the perfect fish, the depth of the water you are fishing in is important, says the DNR. Bluegills and northerns prefer shallow water; walleyes often stay in deeper water. The time of day also plays a factor: bluegills and sunfish gather in schools and can be caught during the daytime, while crappies and walleyes bite best just before sundown. If you aren’t picky, northerns and trout are hungry throughout the day, just like muskies and bass.

The best place to go for all of your ice fishing needs is the Minnesota DNR’s website, which contains fishing reports, specifications, and regulations for all those interested. The ice fishing season will conclude in March/April, but fishing goes year round, as ice melts and lakes open up to warmer weather. For a closer look at the seasons, check this list.