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List of Winter SportsOutdoor Winter Activities in MinnesotaDon't hide from winter! Instead, choose from the long list of winter sports and outdoor winter activities available to you in Minnesota. Get out and play in the snow or on the ice. Some winter sports associated with Minnesota are figure skating, ice hockey, skiing and sledding. As you will see, there are many more ways to experience our winter wonderland.
Ice Skate in MinnesotaAs a kid growing up in Minnesota I could hardly wait every winter for the weather to be cold enough to freeze the lake near our home. Of course, once the ice formed, the snow would fall on top of it. We would head out armed with ice skates and with shovels to clear a patch of ice large enough to skate on. Once our "skating rink" had been created we would sit down on a snowbank to lace up our skates.Not many of us had Olympic ice skating dreams in those days and there was no ice arena in our small town. Despite that we learned how to ice skate by trial and error! Minnesota Ice Skating Rinks and Arenas can now be found in almost every area of the state. Whether you just want to learn the basics or have dreams of figure skating or hockey fame, you can find lessons and places to practice.
Ski and SnowboardMinnesota is thought of as a plains state so you may not realize that we have a long list of places to ski and snowboard. There are Minnesota ski resorts throughout the state. Downhill ski areas feature snowmaking for great conditions and exciting terrain parks for snowboarders. Many of the resorts that cater to Minnesota summer visitors are in areas where they can also offer special ski packages in winter. For information about ski areas, accomodations and snow conditions, check out Ski & Board Minnesota.
Cross Country SkiCross-country skiing should be on your list of winter sports. It is a more gentle sport than downhill skiing. It will get you out on some of the same Minnesota trails that you hiked in summer. Minnesota has more than 2,400 km of groomed trails---most of them on public land. Two of the largest groomed trail networks in North America are located in Minnesota: the Gunflint Ski Trail and the North Shore Ski Trail. A Minnesota Ski Pass is required when skiing at many areas, even in state parks and at areas that charge a trail fee. Get all the information you need about our cross-country ski trails and how to purchase a ski pass at the
SnowshoeIf you love hiking in Minnesota, don't despair when the fields and trails are snow-covered. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and you're ready to conquer winter! My grandpa used snowshoes to get to the barn during some of the famous "when I was young" winters in Minnesota. The history of snowshoeing in Minnesota can be traced to our Native Americans.Read more about the sport of snowshoeing, the history of snowshoes and how to prepare for a Minnesota snowshoeing adventure. Download a PDF file "Let's Go Snowshoeing" Sled and TobogganThe lightest dusting of snow on the smallest of hills in Minnesota lures kids of all ages out to fling themselves downhill on a sled. Sometimes the simplest of pleasures are among the best. On any list of winter sports, sledding should be included.Some of our ski resorts include sledding hills with tow ropes. However, for a day of family fun, all you need are some simple sleds and a hill that is free of trees or other dangerous obstructions. Gravity will do the rest! A toboggan can add to the fun. Toboggans are often made of wood and differ from other sleds as they have no runners or skis on the bottom. Several people can slide downhill together on this winter "toy" that has a history based in a useful Native American conveyance. Ride on a Dog SledA sled dog adventure might be the highlight of your winter trip to Minnesota. Dog sled riding and dog sledding vacations and camping adventures can be found primarily in northern Minnesota. Dog sled tours are one of the most exciting family fun activities. Be sure to add it to your list of winter sports to experience. Minnesota has several places to enjoy a dog sled adventure. Here is one link to get you started. SkijoringSkijoring is a form of cross-country skiing that you do with your dog. This fast growing winter sport began in Scandinavia and means "ski-driving" in Norwegian.Skijoring is a great way to enjoy Minnesota outdoors while getting exercise for yourself and your canine friend. A frozen lake or cross-country trail are great places to learn how to skijor. Here is a wealth of information about places to go and how to get started skijoring. SnowmobileSnowmobile Minnesota's vast network of more than 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails. Minnesota pioneered development of snowmobiles in the early 1950's. A company now known as Arctic Enterprises, in Thief River Falls, MN has been producing Arctic Cat snowmobiles since 1960.Our family has been snowmobiling since it first came on the scene. We loved to gather with other couples at a pre-arranged spot to ride over the hills and across the frozen lakes in northern Minnesota. After a long ride, we would stop to build a bonfire and eat the snacks we had brought with us. A thermos of coffee or hot chocolate was always part of our "saddlebag provision pack." Since those early days of snowmobiling, sleds have become much more sophisticated, trails have been created throughout Minnesota, snowmobiling clubs have been formed and snowmobile vacations are sought by our visitors. Get more information at the website of the
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Winter Camping in MinnesotaIt is possible, and great fun, to camp year-round in Minnesota. Enjoy campgrounds in Minnesota or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness free of mosquitos or summer crowds. The silence and beauty of the snow-covered winter landscape are a real Minnesota winter camping adventure.With proper preparation, it is easier than you might think to stay warm, dry, and well fed. You winter base camp is a perfect spot from which to venture out to enjoy back-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and more. If you have only camped in Minnesota during the summer months, add winter camping to your list of winter sports to try. Learn more at the Winter camping Symposium in Ely, MN Winter FestivalsMinnesota winter carnivals, festival and celebrations are a staple of the season. Many of the largest are held in the Twin Cities including the world famous St. Paul Winter Carnival. In every region of the state you will find local celebrations. Here are just a few samples:
Ice Fish in MinnesotaSometimes people who visit Minnesota from states or countries who don't experience winter have a hard time believing that we drill holes in the ice to catch fish. It is actually very high on our list of winter sports. In its most simple form, a person stands (or sits) on the ice and drops a line through a hole chopped by hand. The more sophisticated Minnesota ice fishing practices involve elaborate fish houses, gas-powered ice augers and more.You just have to try ice fishing for yourself to know the joy! What Are Your Favorite
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