With a snowy blanket on the ground for half the year in this beautiful northern state, Minnesota knows how to make the most of this magical season. Here are some winter bucket list ideas to get you going on your winter adventure season.
Winter Hike
Hiking doesn’t have to end when the snow falls. In fact, the onset of wintery weather brings out a whole new beauty to the great outdoors. There is a hush over the woods and a calmness not seen in the hustling of spring or summer. Strap on your snow boots or snowshoes and head out to your favorite trail to gain a new perspective.
Ice Castle
When the Midwest gives you ice, make a castle! This is such a fun way to embrace the cold for both kids and adults. Bundle up and head out to one of Minnesota’s iconic ice castles or take on the challenge of the Ice Maze in Eagan, MN.
Minnesota Ice Castles:
Visit a Frozen Waterfall
When the temperature drops in the winter it seems that even time freezes for the waterfalls of Minnesota. There is nothing more mesmerizing than seeing those cascading falls come to a standstill. Check out Winter Waterfall Bucket List of Minnesota for more waterfall adventures.
State Park Winter Waterfalls:
- Gooseberry
- Cascade River
- Jay Cooke
- Grand Portage
- Minneopa
- Nerstrand Big Woods
Candlelit Hike/Snowshoe/Ski
Illuminate your nights with an outdoor adventure by candle light. This is one of my favorite ways to experience the dark nights of the Minnesota winter. Bring hot cocoa and cookies to make it a romantic night with your sweetheart or a fun filled family night with the kids.
Check out “Embrace Dark Minnesota Nights” for more on candle light hikes in Minnesota.
Frozen Northshore Visit
Duluth is a popular destination from spring and summer vacationers to autumn leaf peepers. But in my winter-loving eyes, the best time to visit the North Shore is in the winter. Seeing that frozen sunrise over Lake Superior is unreal. Combining a North Shore visit with a frozen waterfall excursion makes for an adventure filled weekend and a perfect getaway.
Dog Sledding
MUSH!! Take a ride by dog sled! This sport is so wonderful to experience whether you’re taking a ride or watching a race. Here in Minnesota, we have dog sled tours available through kennels and races to watch from the far north to the metro.
Dog Sled Tour Companies:
- White Wilderness Dog Sled Adventures (Isabella, MN)
- Chilly Dog Sled Dog Trips (Ely, MN)
- Silent Run (Monticello, MN)
Dog Sled Races to Attend:
- Klondike Dog Derby (1st weekend in February, Excelsior, MN)
- Gunflint Mail Run Dog Sled Race (Early January, Grand Marais, MN)
- John Beargrease (End of January, Duluth, MN)
Build a Snowman
Do you want to build a snowman? What midwestern adult doesn’t have fond memories of scraping up enough snow and rummaging through fridge and cabinets to make the most perfect snowman?! Here’s a fun idea; add bird seed on top to watch the feathered friends enjoy your masterpiece.
Snowshoe
Hit the trails on a pair of snowshoes and wander through a winter wonderland of snow. Snowshoeing is one of my favorite winter activities.
Cozy Up in a Camper Cabin
Cozy up with your sweetheart or go on a winter overnight with the kids. Many of the State Parks in Minnesota have Camper Cabins equipped with electricity or woodstoves for heat. A fantastic way to experience the great wintery outdoors of Minnesota while staying nice and cozy in your own slice of cabin life.
Winter Camping
Really embrace the winter wilderness and camp in a canvas tent. Nothing feels more cozy than a woodstove and hot mug of hot cocoa after a day of winter hiking. If a canvas tent seems a bit too daunting, rent a yurt at a state park. There are three state park/rec locations that offer year-round yurt rentals.
- Afton State Park
- Cuyuna Country State Rec. Area
- Glendalough State Park
Ski Resort
For those wishing to hit the slopes, Minnesota has numerous Ski Resorts strewn about the state from the northern reaches of Lutsen to the southern hills of Mankato. Make it a weekend getaway to resort of a daytrip nearby. Many resorts in Minnesota offer rentals for equipment and lessons if you sign up ahead of time.
Minnesota Ski Resorts
- Lutsen Mountains– Lutsen; Ski, snowboarding, lodging
- Spirit Mountain– Duluth; Ski (downhill & crosscountry), snowboard, tubing
- Wild Mountain– Tayler’s Falls; Ski, snowboard, tubing, area lodging
- Powder Ridge– Kimball; Ski, snowboard, tubing
- Mount Kato– Mankato; Ski, snowboard, tubing
Snow Tubing
Not a ski or snowboard enthusiast? No problem! Snow tubing requires no skills whatsoever. Snow tubing is perfect for the thrill seeking kids (big and small, recommended age 4+). It requires no special equipment rentals, most tubing recreation areas have tubes available and are significantly less expensive than ski and snowboard rentals.
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