The Beauty of Winter in Minnesota

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The beauty of winter in Minnesota is on full display with unique experiences and sporting events.

Dress warmly for once in a lifetime experiences, from ice fishing on a frozen lake to snowshoeing through Hyland Lake Park Reserve. If you’re looking for traditional winter fun, Hyland Hills Ski Area offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, and a chalet to warm your toes. The Minneapolis Ski Club hosts ski jumping competitions throughout the winter at Hyland’s Bush Lake Ski Jump that feature Olympic-level athletes.

Cross-country ski trails are another activity offered at Hyland Lake Park Reserve. You can also lace up your ice skates and visit one of the many outdoor skating rinks and warming houses in Bloomington, or bring a sled or snow tube to a local hill.

If it’s indoor sporting events you’re looking for, visiting Minnesota in the winter is an ideal time to witness a hometown favorite – hockey. Enjoy a professional Minnesota Wild hockey game at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul or an exciting Minnesota Golden Gophers collegiate game at the University of Minnesota.

It’s also basketball season here in Minnesota. Come cheer on our professional NBA team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. All sports arenas are accessible from Bloomington via our METRO Light Rail system.

From late December 2025 through early January 2026, the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship will be held right here in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area! This 10-nation tournament features the best men’s hockey players under 20 years of age, with 29 games taking place at locations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Stay in Bloomington and enjoy easy access to all tournament games, where you can witness the unbelievable talent and showmanship of the world’s best young hockey players.

Bloomington’s Mall of America offers a respite from cold winter days, with endless shopping options, more than 50 restaurants, and top attractions like Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE at Mall of America, Crayola Experience, and FlyOver America. The nation’s largest retail and entertainment complex, Mall of America also has two connected hotels – JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America and Radisson Blu Mall of America – for the ultimate convenience and place to rest your head at the end of a busy day.

Find out more about visiting Bloomington Minnesota here.