Everyone living in Minnesota knows that the winter season can seem frigid and never-ending. Most people would want to curl up by the fire in a blanket and watch a movie instead of braving the outdoors. Many days in the winter this is true and people stay inside to avoid frostbite and stay comfortable, but when the weather is nicer it is important to enjoy the activities that winter offers.

Here are some events and activities that everyone can enjoy this winter in the area:

Chanhassen Ice Skating/Hockey Rinks

1. Bandimere Park
9405 Great Plains Blvd.
2. Chanhassen Rec Center
2310 Coulter Blvd.
3. City Center Park
7700 Market Boulevard
4. No. Lotus Lake Park
295 Pleasant View Rd,
5. Roundhouse Park*
3950 Kings Road

Ice skating rinks are open 6am to 10pm 7 days a week, warming house hours vary.

Snowshoeing at the Lowry Nature Center
More than 5 miles of hiking trails at Carver Park are transformed into snowshoeing trails come winter. Snowshoe rental is available for $5 per day, with snowshoes available to fit ages 4 and older, and organized hikes are led several times each season. 7025 Victoria Drive, Victoria.

Sledding at Staring Lake Hill
Speeding down a sledding hill is one of winter’s great joys, and the 700-foot hill is ideal for family fun when weather conditions turn cold and there is snow. Plastic sleds are required; metal runners, skis and snowboards aren’t allowed. The hill is free for sledding. 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie.

Cross Country Skiing at Lake Minnewashta
Cross country skiing is great exercise and lots of fun, and the trails at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park provide great scenery to boot, with trails through the woods, prairies and along the lakeshore. Skis, poles and boots can be rented from the park in two-hour increments, $5 for children and $6 for adults. Check the park’s website for special candlelight ski events. 6900 Hazeltine Blvd., Chanhassen.

Excelsior Ice Castles                                                                                                                                  Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in six cities across North America. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and much more. 135 Lake St, Excelsior, MN 55331.

Sources:

https://southwestmetromag.com/southwest-metro-area-winter-activities-roundup

https://www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/289/Ice-Skating-Rinks

https://icecastles.com/excelsior