For those of you that do not experience the changes of the seasons may find it difficult to discover something fun to do in the winter. Well let me assure you that winter activities are abundant here in Minnesota. Here are some options that the whole family will enjoy.

First, check out the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource Site (DNR) for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snow shoeing opportunities. They also list snow conditions, trail maps, special winter events, where to find parks that have access to winter activities and any required fees.

For example, in order to cross-country ski in Minnesota you have to purchase a Minnesota Ski Pass. This pass is required if you ski in any State Parks or forest, or on State trails, or Grant-in-Aid Trails. The required passes are for anyone 16 years of age and above. The money incurred from this are used to support the ski trail system in the state. There are three ways to purchase this pass either as a daily fee of $6.00 dollars or $20.00 dollars for one season or a three season pass of $55.00 dollars.

On the other hand, maybe snowshoeing would be your activity of choice. You would need to use the website to see what state parks have access to snow shoeing and snow conditions. In fact, I would use the website to help verify which state parks offer snowshoes to rent for around $6.00 dollars. There are usually separate trails to snow shoe on not the same ones used for cross-country skiing. Hiking out on a trail in the wintertime with snow falling is a beautiful backdrop compared to a summer hike.

However, maybe your fun is to sit behind a big sled and hit the trails in the state parks or Grant-In-Aid trails. Once again the state of Minnesota does require an annual fee of around $16.00 dollars to permit riding on designated trails. Of course, not having the sticker could result in a fine. There are over 20,000 miles of groomed trails to choose from. Local snowmobile club volunteers maintain most of the trails. The website also explains how and where to purchase the sticker.

Therefore, these were just a few of the fun winter activities that one can do in the land of 10,000 lakes. Another list could include, but not limited to, ice fishing, ice skating, down-hill skiing, snowboarding sledding, winter camping, ice hockey, dog sledding, skijoring to name a few. If you live in Minnesota it is a wonderful time of the year to get out and experience something new. Besides that a little vitamin D and exercise will do a body good.