Minnesota winters are long, cold and usually come with masses of snow. Average annual snowfall of 36 to more than 70 inches makes snow shoveling the unofficial state sports. However, you can find plenty of winter activities that are much more fun all over Minnesota, with diverse winter sports offered that will suit your abilities.
Snowshoeing
If you've ever had a back-to-nature moment, snowshoeing is the sport to cater to the sentiment. This winter hiking pastime goes all the way back to the Native Americans, and is a gentle way of exploring the outdoors without disturbing nature. Snowshoes, which you strap on over your regular winter boots, are the only equipment required. Wearing snowshoes you will be able to explore winter wonderlands that you would probably not be able to reach wearing otherwise. A beautiful spot for an adventure is Grand Portage State Park, but there are plenty of wonderful snowshoeing destinations all over Minnesota, such as Fort Snelling State Park in the Twin Cities.
Cross-Country Skiing
With its positive impact on the cardiovascular system, cross-country skiing also offers head-to-toe exercise and is a favorite among Minnesotans of all ages. With 2,400 miles of groomed cross-country slopes and more than 100 designated ski areas the state caters to the locals' demand. Visitors will particularly enjoy the Gunflint Ski Trail and the North Shore Ski Trail, two of the largest ski trail networks in the country. But even near the big cities you can find skiing opportunities--in the Twin Cities area, for example, Battle Creek Park is one of several excellent cross-country ski spots.
Ice Skating
Minnesota has been dubbed the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but that is an understatement. There are actually 11,842 lakes spread over the state, providing ice-skating opportunities in abundance during wintertime. Essentially, there's at least one lake near any Minnesota home, so most Minnesotans do some ice skating at some point in their life. Commercial ice-skating rinks, offering classes for figure skaters, speed skaters or hockey players, are also present in most regions. Ice skating builds strength and balance, trains your coordination and provides a well-rounded workout. Excellent starting points for ice-skating classes are the National Sports Center in Blaine and the Duluth Figure Skating Club.
Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding
Despite the general perception that Minnesota is a relatively flat state, there are quite a few lower mountains--or serious hills--that allow downhill skiing and snowboarding and accommodate a variety of ski resorts. About 250 miles north of Minneapolis-Saint Paul the Lutsen Mountains are particularly popular among downhill skiers. Metro area skiing and snowboarding is provided just minutes from the Twin Cities in Burnsville's Buck Hill area, where snowboarders' needs are met with three terrain parks.
Skijoring
A different form of dog-sledding or horse-sledding is the so-called sports of skijoring. The name derives from the Norwegian "skijøring" which literally means "snow driving." Originally "skijøring" referred to skiing behind a horse, however, in the United States skijorers usually team up with dogs. The skijorer uses cross-country skis and wears a harness that is connected to his four-legged partners' harnesses by a rope. The combined power of the skating skier and the pulling dogs propel skijorers to respectable speeds. The sport is a great full-body workout, and your furry friends will also love the exercise. Many breeds of dog are suitable partners--the sport is not restricted to traditional sledding dog breeds. Popular skijoring spots in Minnesota are the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Park and the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Tip
In many areas you are required to purchase a Minnesota Ski Pass before you can take on your cross-country or skijoring adventure. The ski pass fee is not included in state park or trail fees. You can obtain your Minnesota Ski Pass from the Department of Natural Resources in person, by email, mail, phone or online. (See Resources.) As of July 2010 the fee for a Minnesota Ski Pass is $20 for a one-season pass, $55 for a three-season pass and $6 for a day pass.
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