These Towns in Minnesota Come Alive in Winter
The north-midwestern states of the country have a charm that is all their own. Characterized by a sense of tight-knit community and warmth, this part of the country gains a cozy vibe when the weather changes and the snow comes. The beauty of the lakes and forests is emphasized in the snow, and the comfort of the fireplaces and knit sweaters is unmatched. Whether skiing at Coffee Mill Ski Area near Wabasha or checking out the annual World Snow Sculpting Championship in Stillwater, these towns in Minnesota truly come alive in the winter months.
Fergus Falls
The Minnesota wilderness around the town of Fergus Falls is filled with the kind of natural beauty for which the state is famous. Parks, rivers, and over 1,000 lakes dot the landscape around the town, just waiting to be explored. The Glendalough State Park is a perfect spot for walking amongst the snow-covered trees, or for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Accessible from the park are a number of trails that encircle the lakes of the region, including the Lake Emma trail, the Annie Battle Lake trail, and the Sunset Lake trail. The winter season is also a great time to visit Otto the Otter, in Grotto Park, not far from downtown Fergus Falls.
Wabasha
Southeast of Fergus Falls, on Minnesota’s border with Wisconsin, is the town of Wabasha. An ideal destination for winter fun, the town is home to the Coffee Mill Ski Area, which offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities for every level of expertise. The nearby Mississippi allows for unique ice fishing and ice skating opportunities, and Malone Park is a perfect place to experience the region’s wintry beauty. Wabasha’s biggest claim to fame is the fact that the town is the setting for the film Grumpy Old Men, as well as its sequel. Every February, Wabasha celebrates this legacy with the Grumpy Old Men Festival, a multi-day celebration filled with food, live music, and other events.
Brainerd
Another town with a connection to film history is Brainerd. The town is perhaps most famous as one of the distinctly north-midwestern settings of the film Fargo, and while none of the movie was actually shot there, the charming small-town spirit evoked by the film is alive and well in the real-life Brainerd. The downtown core is warm and inviting, and all around, there are opportunities to get out in the snow for some winter fun. Among these are over 1,200 miles of snowmobiling trails, including a trail surrounding the nearby Gull Lake, which is lit up at night. Just north of town is Mount Ski Gull, which features not just a fully operational ski hill but also one of the largest downhill tubing hills in the state.
Bemidji
North of Brainerd, on the lake, it shares a name with, is the town of Bemidji. It is another town steeped in the lake-dotted beauty of Minnesota and has access not only to Lake Bemidji but Lake Irving, Lake Marquette, and the scenic Big Bog Lake. All these nearby bodies of water have offerings for winter travelers, including walking and cross-country ski trails and ice fishing. Bemidji is also the center of well-maintained and groomed snowmobiling trails, leading to its moniker as the "Snowmobile Capital of the North." Just north of town on the shores of Lake Bemidji is the Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge, a resort with access to the lake. It is open and active year-round and offers a beautiful place to stay and see the particular beauty offered by Bemidji during the winter months.
Biwabik
The Mesabi Iron Range is part of a small mining range of mountains and hills in northeastern Minnesota. Situated among these hills is the small community of Biwabik, which offers visitors one of the more unique destinations in the state. The town is built to resemble the architecture of the Bavarian region of Germany, which is particularly striking in the snow. Biwabik also serves as the closest community to the popular Giants Ridge Recreation Area, which features a sizable and renowned ski resort. Every December, the town celebrates Weihnachtsfest, which attracts visitors from near and far to celebrate the holiday season, surrounded by the aura of a snow-covered European mountain town.
Pipestone
In the far southwestern corner of the state is a town that reveals the contrasts of Minnesota’s natural beauty. Pipestone, which shares its name with the nearby National Monument, is emblematic of the prairie landscapes that make up this part of the state. The Pipestone National Monument represents a series of quarries wherein Indigenous Americans mined the natural catlinite they used to make their pipes (thus the name), and is today a gorgeous series of trails and natural areas ready to be explored. The red quartzite against the snow creates awe-inspiring tableaus, and the Winnewissa Falls are a must-see for every visitor. The historic district of the town of Pipestone, and especially the Pipestone Courthouse, constructed of the same quartzite, make for spectacular views in the winter months.
Stillwater
For a winter getaway that calls to mind nostalgic memories of the holidays, Stillwater is not just one of the best stops in Minnesota but probably the whole country. The small town comes to life in the winter months, with lights and decorations flooding its quaint streets and storefronts. Celebrations like the annual World Snow Sculpting Championship and "Hometown for the Holidays" mean that there is always something to do, whether you want excitement or relaxation during your winter stay. Every February brings the celebration of Winterfest to Stillwater, which is yet another opportunity to relish in the atmosphere of wintry warmth. The St. Croix River provides unparalleled natural beauty, especially when steeped in the snowy drifts of the Minnesota winter.
Winter in Minnesota has something for every kind of traveler. Excitement seekers will love the many opportunities to ski or snowmobile, and the many hiking and snowshoeing options allow for exploration at a slower pace. These towns are also endless sources of warmth and community, granting a coziness only available in the winter of the north-midwest.
