Welcome to the Explore Minnesota Tourism Website

Explore Minnesota Website Accessibility Navigation:

You are on the Winter page of the Explore Minnesota Tourism website - use this link to return to the site home page

Sign Up For Explore Minnesota Tourism E-News

Main Content

Use the following links to share and save this page. You can Skip over this sharing and saving feature if you do not wish to use it.
Share/Save this page using AddToAny

Winter In Minnesota

Cross-country Ski Cabin

Some of us are drawn to play in the snow, on skis, snowboards, snowmobiles, snowshoes and dog sleds. The best of Minnesota's cross country ski trails are the envy of much of the nation, as are the state's 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails. Minnesota is also home to the largest and highest downhill ski area in the Midwest, and many Minnesota resorts and other accommodations offer special packages for winter fun lovers.

Winter Travel Ideas

  • Bounce, Slide, Jump, Crawl: A Round-up of Indoor Playgrounds in the Metro

    When you have little ones (heck, even when you don’t!), and the weather isn't cooperating for outdoor play time, the next best thing is an indoor playground.
    Read More

  • Cross-Country Skiing: Making tracks up, down, over, and around the Twin Cities

    Think you have to head way up north to get your skiing fix? Think again.
    Read More

  • 10 Ways to Warm Up This Winter

    When Minnesota winter kicks into full gear, you may hear the call of your couch. But then you’d miss out on all the activities and attractions are perfect for chilly days—the many museums, restaurants, and exhibits that were custom-made for winter.
    Read More

  • Winter in Bloom: A Touch of Summer at Indoor Gardens

    Despite what it looks (and feels) like outside, there are still spots around the Twin Cities where you can see flowers and green vegetation.
    Read More

  • Winter Getaway to Detroit Lakes

    Enjoy miles of scenic trails, geocaching, historic buildings, cute boutiques, and so much more.
    Read More

  • Exploring Biwabik's Giants Ridge and Beyond

    Giants Ridge is Minnesota's Vail. Located just north of Biwabik, the resort caters to winter aficionados of all breeds.
    Read More

  • Skiing Lutsen: Can a Ski Snob Be Satisfied in Minnesota?

    It started the morning after I arrived, when I took a lift up Lutsen’s Ullr Mountain. To the east was the endless blue sheen of Lake Superior.
    Read More

  • Ice Castle Grows and Glows at Mall of America

    This winter Mall of America is presenting a unique Ice Castle, a large ice structure with towers, archways, tunnels and walkways, illuminated at night by thousands of multi-colored lights in the ice.
    Read More

  • Indoor Gardens: A Taste of Spring

    Find out where you can head inside to bask in tropical temps and view green vegetation while you wait for the seasons to officially change.
    Read More

  • Get Stoked on Minnesota Slopes

    Find affordable destinations for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, and some of the biggest hills in the Midwest.
    Read More

  • State Park Winter Trail Sampler

    With 75 state parks and over 1,000 miles of park trails, winter scenery and activities like skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, and snowshoeing are always within reach.
    Read More

  • Resorts Open For Winter

    Whether you’re looking for indoor comforts with a wintery landscape view, or a convenient home base near a trail, slope, or ice fishing lake, Minnesota has hundreds of resorts that are open for winter.
    Read More

  • Weird, Wild & Wacky Winter Festival Fun

    Weird, wacky and wild fun. That's how many communities celebrate Minnesota's season of ice and snow. At winter festivals across the state, a wide array of winter-only types of fun lure folks outside to play.
    Read More

  • Run with the Dogs

    If you're crazy about dogs, love the outdoors and are ready for a thrill, sign on for a trip with a sled dog outfitter.
    Read More

  • Discover New Snowmobile Trails

    A gigantic web of interconnected, groomed trails-more than 20,000 miles-lures snowmobilers away from home to play on these scenic, well-maintained routes.
    Read More