As the infamous Minnesotan winter starts to ramp up with the increasingly cool temperatures and the arrival of snow, many people are turning to traditional, and maybe new, sources of entertainment that fit the holiday and winter spirit. Here is a list of five winter activities to embrace the cold and enjoy the season, from skiing and skating to supporting the home team. 

I. Go Ice Skating

This may seem obvious, but ice skating is always an enjoyable opportunity to brave the cold and appreciate Minnesota’s very own 10,000 lakes, local outdoor rinks, or even indoor rinks. Many places offer rental skates in case you don’t have your own, like Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis or Braemar Arena in Edina. Go with your friends, family, or even your pets for an amusing, icy journey!

II. Spend the Day Skiing

Minnesota also offers some of the biggest hills in all of the Midwest! Regardless of skill level, anyone can get out and hit the snowy slopes. Downhill skiing is a great way to spend a cold, winter day and to take advantage of the snow while experiencing the thrills of the Lutsen Mountains (MN’s largest ski resort), Spirit Mountain, Afton Alps, and Welch Village. 

III. Visit Ice Castles

Ice Castles is a frozen, magical attraction that is only located in five states in the US, with Minnesota being one of them. Ice Castles features ice caverns and archways, ice slides, an ice maze, tunnels, fountains, and lights to create an adventurous, impressive experience for all ages. In Minnesota, Ice Castles is located in New Brighton and tickets will begin selling in January of 2022, so keep an eye out for those tickets! 

If you’re looking for another place with ice sculptures, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is another great event to celebrate the weather with parades, live music, ice palaces, ice fishing, and a scavenger hunt. The Carnival will also take place in January and February of 2022. 

IV. Explore Winter Trails

If you prefer a more leisure activity but still want to appreciate the snow, then snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or fat biking on a well-groomed trail with amazing scenic views of Minnesota’s lakes, forests, and wildlife may be what you’re looking for. Minnesota provides thousands of trails to explore, such as around the Arboretum trails, Hyland Park Reserve, MN State Parks (rentals offered), and countless more.

V. Cheer on Home Teams

Lastly, if you would rather stay indoors, go watch a MN Wild game. After all, Minnesota is known for being the State of Hockey. Wild games are always filled with good food, exciting competition, and an electric audience rooting for their home team. Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still spend a night cheering on the Wild from the comfort of your own home. The University of Minnesota’s boys and girls hockey teams also play in the winter during their season, so if you’re looking to watch collegiate sports, the U of M is also an entertaining way to spend your evening while cheering on the Gophers.