Minnesota winters are full of fun! There is much to see and do when the temperature drops and the snow starts to fly. The only difficult part is figuring out a way to do it all! Luckily, there is one place in Minnesota where you can take part in several favorite winter activities. More than a million people visit Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area every year, and it’s no wonder. Thanks to all of the skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in Minnesota found at this park, it’s one of the best places in the state to have fun this winter. Here’s all that Elm Creek has to offer:

Elm Creek Park Reserve is a 4,900-acre expanse in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Every winter, the Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area transforms the reserve into a wonderland of activity. And it’s just as good as the best ski resorts in Minnesota.

Elm Creek Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District/Facebook

The land is transformed by snow with the snow-covered tree branches making it look like something from a fairy tale. But this place is not just good to look at. It also holds much to do!

Elm Creek Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District/Facebook

Cross-country skiing is a popular activity at Elm Creek. The park has more than 18 kilometers of groomed trails, lighted and with snowmaking to keep the paths fresh.

Megan Swenson/Bellmont Partners

Downhill skiing is also popular at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area. There are even free events, like the Nordic Ski Opener, to get people involved in this favorite winter sport. If you enjoy other ski resorts in Minnesota, you’ll love skiing at Elm Creek.

Megan Swenson/Bellmont Partners

Of course, snowboarding is also welcome at Elm Creek. Ski and snowboard day passes and season passes are available to anyone over the age of five. Children age four and younger are free. Rentals are also available.

Megan Swenson/Bellmont Partners

One of the most exhilarating activities at Elm Creek is snow tubing. There are many lanes, ranging from steep and speedy to slow and steady. One of the best snow tubing hills in Minnesota can be found here.

Elm Creek Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District/Facebook

When you get to the bottom, simply ride the moving sidewalk back to the top! Tube rentals are included in the cost. Reservations are required ahead of time and the tubing sessions are set at two hours.

Elm Creek Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District/Facebook

No matter what your favorite winter activity, you’ll love your visit to the Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area this winter. Join millions of other visitors and plan your trip today for some of the best skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in Minnesota!

Megan Swenson/Bellmont Partners

Do you have a favorite place for skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing in Minnesota? Please share in the comments.

Elm Creek Park Reserve - Three Rivers Park District/Facebook

Megan Swenson/Bellmont Partners

For more information about Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area, including hours, costs, and opening dates, take a look at the official website and Facebook page. And if you’re looking for more winter activity in the Maple Grove area, check out our article about the ice skating trail in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

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Address: Elm Creek Park Reserve, 12400 James Deane Pkwy, Maple Grove, MN 55369, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Snow Tubing In Minnesota February 01, 2022 Melissa M. What are some of the best winter activities in Minnesota? One of the most exhilarating activities you could partake in this winter is go-karting on ice! Head to Stillwater and take a spin on Epic Karting’s icy outdoor track. It will be the most fun you will have all winter! Another fun idea is Ice Bumper Cars in Virginia, Minnesota at Iron Trail Motors Event Center. You can also attend a winter festival, stroll through some enchanting ice castles, hike to a frozen waterfall, explore one of the many small towns around the state…the possibilities are endless! You can find a few ideas in this post. Where can I go ice skating outdoors in Minnesota? Minnesota is home to numerous outdoor ice skating rinks, and if that’s what you want to do, we suggest the Central Park Ice Skate Loop in Maple Grove. This ice skating trail is one-of-a-kind and free to skate on…just bring your own ice skates or rent a pair at the park. There are many parks around Minneapolis that offer outdoor ice skating. You can find locations on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation website. What are the worst winter storms in Minnesota’s history? Over the years, Minnesota has certainly been hit hard by winter storms. You can read about several horrific winter storms in this article.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Snow Tubing In Minnesota

February 01, 2022

Melissa M.

What are some of the best winter activities in Minnesota? One of the most exhilarating activities you could partake in this winter is go-karting on ice! Head to Stillwater and take a spin on Epic Karting’s icy outdoor track. It will be the most fun you will have all winter! Another fun idea is Ice Bumper Cars in Virginia, Minnesota at Iron Trail Motors Event Center. You can also attend a winter festival, stroll through some enchanting ice castles, hike to a frozen waterfall, explore one of the many small towns around the state…the possibilities are endless! You can find a few ideas in this post. Where can I go ice skating outdoors in Minnesota? Minnesota is home to numerous outdoor ice skating rinks, and if that’s what you want to do, we suggest the Central Park Ice Skate Loop in Maple Grove. This ice skating trail is one-of-a-kind and free to skate on…just bring your own ice skates or rent a pair at the park. There are many parks around Minneapolis that offer outdoor ice skating. You can find locations on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation website. What are the worst winter storms in Minnesota’s history? Over the years, Minnesota has certainly been hit hard by winter storms. You can read about several horrific winter storms in this article.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

One of the most exhilarating activities you could partake in this winter is go-karting on ice! Head to Stillwater and take a spin on Epic Karting’s icy outdoor track. It will be the most fun you will have all winter! Another fun idea is Ice Bumper Cars in Virginia, Minnesota at Iron Trail Motors Event Center. You can also attend a winter festival, stroll through some enchanting ice castles, hike to a frozen waterfall, explore one of the many small towns around the state…the possibilities are endless! You can find a few ideas in this post.

Where can I go ice skating outdoors in Minnesota?

Minnesota is home to numerous outdoor ice skating rinks, and if that’s what you want to do, we suggest the Central Park Ice Skate Loop in Maple Grove. This ice skating trail is one-of-a-kind and free to skate on…just bring your own ice skates or rent a pair at the park. There are many parks around Minneapolis that offer outdoor ice skating. You can find locations on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation website.

What are the worst winter storms in Minnesota’s history?

Over the years, Minnesota has certainly been hit hard by winter storms. You can read about several horrific winter storms in this article.