Rochester MN Winter Activities
We’ve got a bad case of cabin fever! How about you? Minnesota winters can be cold, dark, and long. We need to warm things up with some winter fun! Here are some of our favorite winter activities in Rochester MN and the surrounding area to get you through to spring!
Outdoor Fun
Sledding
Bundle up and head out for a day of sledding! There are two designated sledding hills in Rochester and one big fun tubing hill, just outside of Rochester! For all sledding hill information, please check out our Rochester MN Guide to Sledding Hills.
Ice Skating
The city is full of great outdoor ice rinks for a true winter experience! Check out our Rochester MN Guide to Ice Skating for all the details on what locations have lights, warming houses, where you can play hockey, and hours of operation.
Snowshoeing + Cross Country Skiing
Snowshoeing is a great way to experience winter in Rochester MN and the surrounding area. No experience is needed to try out this great winter sport.
Cross-country skiing takes a bit more practice, but there are plenty of opportunities to learn on the plentiful groomed trails. Additionally, renting equipment is inexpensive making practicing achievable!
Quarry Hill, Oxbow Park, and Chester Woods all maintain groomed trails and rent snowshoes and skis. Check their websites for more rental and trail information.
Oxbow Park Rentals | Oxbow Park Winter Trail Map
Quarry Hill Rentals | Quarry Hill Winter Trail Map
Chester Woods Rentals | Chester Woods Winter Trail Map
The City of Rochester and the Rochester Active Sports Club work together to maintain snowshoe trails at Quarry Hill.
Ice Fishing
If you’re up for a true Minnesotan experience try ice fishing! Our Rochester MN Guide to Ice Fishing will help you understand all of the details as ice fishing will take a bit of pre-planning. However, with the proper fishing license and shelter registration, you will be on your way to a winter fish fry! Take a look at the Minnesota DNR’s website for all of the guidelines and some helpful tips on how to make ice fishing fun and safe for kids. Silver Creek Reservoir, Quarry Hill, Chester Woods, Foster Arends and Lake Zumbro are just a few local places to test out your winter fishing skills. Find more local and statewide places to fish with the MN DNR’s Lake Finder Tool.
Downhill Skiing + Snowboarding
Interested in speed? There is no better way during the winter months to test your speed and agility than downhill skiing. Coffee Mill Ski Area, Welch Village, Afton Apls, and Buck Hill all offer rental options, lessons, and good old-fashioned fresh air! Check out their websites for more details.
Coffee Mill
Welch Village
Afton Alps
Buck Hill
More Ideas!
Head outside to build a snowman or a snow family (if it’s not too cold)! You could have a snowball fight (no ice involved… save that for snow cones), make snow angels, and build snow forts and snow animals! Remember how we said snow cones? Bring in some (clean) snow and add some delicious flavors to them!
Winter Events
Social-ICE in Downtown Rochester MN
Downtown Rochester transforms into an icy oasis for Social-ICE! Unique themed bars—each with its own signature drink—and full-scale ice sculptures illuminated with vibrant hues light up the winter-drab night. Keep your blood pumping with nightly live DJ entertainment. This oh-so-nICE, cold-weather event is open to the public.
- DJs/music
- Individual bar themes and specialty drinks
- Colorful, interactive lighting
- Experiential activities
- Photo station
- Fire pits
- Large-scale entrance
Dates/Times:
February 7 – 8, 2024 | Friday, 4 PM – 10 PM & Saturday, 1 PM – 10 PM Social ICE
Social-ICE Fam Jam in Downtown Rochester MN
Cold-weather fun abounds when you bundle up the chill-dren for Social-ICE FAM JAM! A free family-friendly time before the last night of Social-ICE, FAM JAM showcases an all-ages celebration of winter.
Dates/Times:
February 8, 2024 | 1 PM – 4 PM Fan jam
