Outdoors

For one sunny day, Minnesotans make the most of spring in February
As temperatures climbed into the 40s across much of Minnesota under sunny skies on Sunday, many people got outside to go for a walk, get their car washed — or check out the melting ice sculptures in downtown St. Paul.
Finnish tradition endures at annual Laskiainen festival in northern Minnesota
Crowds are lining up this weekend to take their turn sliding down a pair of icy tracks onto a northern Minnesota lake. It's the 83rd annual Laskiainen festival held at Loon Lake in Palo, about 40 miles north of Duluth.
Runners, skiers, bikers hit trail Monday for Arrowhead 135 in northern Minnesota
More than 150 athletes are signed up for this year's race. It's a round-the-clock, 135-mile trek across the northern Minnesota wilderness — with minimal or no outside support.
Mushers, dog teams begin John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Some years, mushers and dog teams in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon have to contend with bitterly cold conditions. This year? Not so much. Temperatures at the start in Duluth on Sunday should be about 30 degrees above zero.
Minnesota taking steps to boost lagging sales of cross-country ski pass
A state fund to help maintain cross-country ski trails has been running low on money as ski pass sales have declined in recent years. Increasing the cost of the pass and informing skiers how the funds are used may be reversing the trend.
Sled dog teams hit the trail this weekend for Gunflint Mail Run
More than two dozen sled dog teams will hit the trails of Cook County on Saturday for the annual Gunflint Mail Run. The race serves as a kickoff of sorts to the sled dog racing season in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.