Shannon Watters of Watters Edge Realty
As a Realtor®, Master Naturalist, Director with the National Loon Center Foundation and Whitefish Area Property Owners Association. I’m committed to providing my clients with the best real estate knowledge and service to help meet their buying and selling goals as well as equipping them with best stewardship knowledge and community connection to thrive for years to come.
Hello everyone!! December 20, 2024
Winter in northern Minnesota can feel endless (something anyone who has lived, visited, or even just thought about Minnesota can confirm!). To make the most of it and truly appreciate this incredible place, we have to find plenty of ways to enjoy ourselves. Here are a few ideas to help get the family outdoors and fall in love with our stunning winters! The secret to embracing (and surviving) winter... LAYERS! LAYERS AND MORE LAYERS! An experienced winter veteran once told me, "Winter isn’t cold if you dress for it." There’s a lot of truth in that!
1. Ice Skating, hockey or broomball: Here is the location of “Official” Ice rinks in the BLA. There are tons of awesome fun you can have on the ice!! If you are playing on an “official” rink, for the safety and enjoyment of all participants, be sure to follow their rules on what activities you are participating in. If you are on or near a lake or pond. Make sure the ice is at least 4 inches thick. Then on a calm day, shovel and flood the area and you will have a wonderful natural rink of your own to play as you wish! If you do create your own rink, be sure to “leave no trace” before you leave the location.
2. Snowshoeing: If you are looking for great exercise while getting off the trails and enjoying some of the most beautiful untouched nature, snowshoeing is a great choice:
Snowshoe rental parks. Don't have your own snowshoes but would like to give it a try. This is a great and inexpensive way to get try it out:
3. Snowmobiling. In Minnesota this is one of the most popular winter past-times:
4. Build a bonfire and have smores, cider or hot beverages. Or make maple syrup taffy Minnesota style!! (Recipe below)
5. Candle light hike, snowshoe or ski (depending on the snow). what a beautiful and romantic way to get some fresh air in nature:
6. Enjoy a Sauna. There are many places in northern Minnesota to rent a portable sauna. They claim that there are many health benefits to alternating between the warmth inside the sauna and the contrast with the outdoor cold. I am yet to discover that so if you do enjoy this experience, please share your experiences with us all!!
7. That brings us to the polar plunge! That also is an experience I haven’t had and did NOT add to my bucket list. So if you LOVE this experience, please share your experience with us! If doing this again or checking that off your bucket list this year is a must, here is the schedule:
8. Winter wildlife viewing and hiking on trails or frozen lake/ponds – If walking on the lake, be sure the lake is at least 4 inches thick before adventuring out. Always watch for channels or areas of fast moving water as the ice may be thin.
The DNR has a great list of places to view winter wildlife (and frozen waterfall views!!):
Take a craft beer tour:
Curling is an amazing sport! If you like winter and you like shuffleboard, you will love this fabulous Scottish sport!! Learn more:
Ice fishing is a Minnesota must!! If you need fishing tackle, I always recommend Lindy fishing tackle. They have a lot of science behind their tackle and, best of all, have very affordable lead-free tackle to help protect our wildlife friends from lead poisoning. You can find their lead-free tackle at most fishing outfitters. To learn more about what you need, tips and tricks and more:
Fat Tire Biking. Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area has over 50 miles of trails to explore. They say winter biking at Cuyuna is the best there is!! If there is too much snow, shoeshoeing is an option!! For a full list of winter biking trails:
13. Snow Tubing – For the best snow tubing hills near you:
Dog Sledding: This is an amazing experience if you have not done it yet. I had a high school friend that raised dogs for dog sledding and took my family and I a couple times. My kids and I loved it and would highly recommend it!
Outdoor Winter Events and Festivals
International Falls from January 17-25. “Only the Bold Run the Cold,” during this famous border town’s Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run. The festival includes other wacky events, such as frozen turkey bowling, smoosh races, frozen golf and boot hockey.
Crosslake Winter Fest: January 30-February 1. It starts with us hosting Loon and Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes on Thursday January 30 then includes medallion hunt, fireworks, dance, soup fest, craft and vendor show, and more!
Detroit Lakes Polar Fest: February 7-February 13. Features a polar plunge, fireworks and an illuminated ice castle.
For festivals in other areas, check in with your local Chamber of Commerce.
16. Cross-Country Skiing: for information about cross-country skiing all over the state:
For equipment rental and trails in the Brainerd Lakes Area: Cross-country ski rental:
17. Holiday Light Shows: The best one in the Brainerd Lakes Area is:
18. Boundary Waters has over a million of acres of pristine, snowy environment to explore:
19. Downhill skiing and snowboarding - Minnesota features some of the highest hills in the Midwest. There is fun for every skill and experience level:
20. Building snow people, sculptures, snow forts and snowball fight!! Brings us back to our childhood!! A couple snow angels just adds to the magic!!
Please share any ideas or experiences that you have had that helps make your Minnesota winter magical:
Real Estate Corner:
December is a quiet time of the year in real estate. Everyone is wrapped up in the events of the holiday season. But it's a great time to get plans together for your next real estate move. If you are thinking of purchasing a property or selling an existing one, please reach out so we can get a plan together for January. The "Spring Market" officially begins right after the Super Bowl (February 9). January is a wonderful time to prepare for Spring Market!!
Recipes of the Month:
A Recipe that I LOVE and am making as often as possible this holiday season:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
WAPOA and Loon Center Community Events: |
January 30 - Loon and Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes Brewery 6-8 pm March 13 - Loon and Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes Brewery 6-8 pm |
If you have a recipe, tip or question about real estate, nature or community, send us a note:
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