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Don't hide from winter...get outdoors and play in the snow and ice!Choose from the long list of winter sports and outdoor winter activities available to you in Minnesota. There are winter sports in Minnesota that you can do no matter your age or physical condition. Some of our favorite family winter fun has included grabbing some sleds and heading for the nearest hill. Skating...both figure skating and ice hockey...is something almost all Minnesotans do when they are kids and some of us never give it up. You could also choose to get on skiis, snowboard, snowshoes or the snowmobile. There is no time for cabin fever in Minnesota. There are so many more to experience our winter wonderland.
Learning to Ice Skate: As 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.
Skiing and Snowboarding: Minnesota is thought of as a plains state so you may not realize that we have a long list of places to ski and snowboard. While we don't have "real" mountains, we have lots of very high hills where you can experience all the rush of downhill skiing. There are Minnesota ski resorts throughout the state. Most downhill ski areas do some supplemental snowmaking to make sure thre are great skiing conditions beginning in late fall. Most Minnesota ski areas also offer 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.
Sledding in Minnesota: The 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.
Minnesota has many places where you can enjoy a dog sled adventure.
Skijoring in Minnesota: Skijoring 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.
Snowmobiling In Minnesota: Snowmobile 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.
Try Winter Camping in Minnesota: It is possible, and great fun, to camp year-round in Minnesota. In winter you can enjoy campgrounds in Minnesota that are free of mosquitos or summer crowds. The silence and beauty of the snow-covered winter landscape offer invigorating Minnesota winter camping adventures. What Are Your Favorite
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