MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — Minnesotans are known for embracing our cold weather climate and making the most of the snow and ice. That's still very much the case in 2021, even with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic limiting some indoor activities.
KARE 11 Sunrise is celebrating the "Winter Wonder" of the Upper Midwest each week in a new segment highlighting outdoor winter activities to enjoy, even during the pandemic.
Join KARE 11's Bryan Piatt each week starting Friday, Jan. 15, as he highlights a new place to visit or activity to try, starting with an exploration of the Norwegian concept of “frilufstliv” – better known as the idea of getting outdoors, no matter what the weather is!
Bookmark this page and return each week as we add more details and video from Bryan's weekly "Winter Wonder" segments.
Speedskating
We head to “The Oval” in Roseville to learn more about the giant outdoor sheet of ice and to give speedskating a try with the Midway Speedskating Club.
Skijoring
This week we go skijoring with Tyler McKean and his dog Buddy. If you’ve never heard of skijoring, think cross country skiing meets dog sled racing. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with your four-legged friend. Visit K9Powered.org to learn more about which trails you can skijor on in the Twin Cities.
Ice Sculpture Exploration
This week we learn more about The Ice Sculpture Exploration. Minnesota Ice & Get Knit Events have teamed up to display 35 ice sculptures around the Twin Cities for you to check out. More information about getting your map and exploring their website is available here.
Snow Tubing
This week we head to Green Acres Snow Tubing in Lake Elmo. Green Acres is a family-run business since 1974, offering wide open space to catch some speed on their snowy hill.
Outdoor Winter Workouts
This week we check out Embrace North, a Twin Cities gym offering outdoor winter workouts, along with dips into ice cold water. Learn more about the icy plunge movement!
Fat tire biking
KARE 11’s Bryan Piatt goes fat tire biking with the Three Rivers Park District, proving that you don’t have to ditch your adventures on two wheels just because there’s snow on the ground.
Cross Country Skiing
This week, we check out a classic Minnesota winter activity as Bryan Piatt goes cross country skiing at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area in Maple Grove. Find out how much it will cost you, and why renting your skis ahead of time might be a good idea.
What is “friluftsliv”?
We’re kicking off our Winter Wonder series with a Norwegian way of life that can help inspire us all to get out and enjoy the outdoors, no matter what the weather is. Norway House Executive Director Christina Carleton joins us to explain what “friluftsliv” is all about.
Tune in each Friday for the "Winter Wonder" segment during KARE 11 Sunrise to hear the key word for the day. Then click here or visit the contests tab on the KARE 11 Facebook page for a chance to win a special Explore the Winter Wonder prize pack sponsored by the Minnesota Lottery. Full contest rules and details can be found here.