Outside in MN

No experience required. From Minnesota Public Radio and MPR News, Outside in MN provides timely weather updates, events and how-to guides to prepare you for your next outdoor adventure. Download the app and get outside!

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February 8, 2023 6:03 PM

Pain, joy, solitude share the trail in Minnesota's 'world's toughest race'

The Arrowhead 135 winter ultra race tests athletes like no other competition. Some run it to test their survival savvy. Others come to test their spirit in the frozen, lonely North Woods. Every competitor has a story.

by Ben Hovland

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February 8, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: Melting the stress of frigid cold at a Minnesota bath house

As winter cold bites deep, MPR News is celebrating the best of the season through a new series called Winter Play. Our staff across the state set out to try a new-to-them winter pastime. MPR News producer Samantha Matsumoto and reporter Simone Cazares visited Watershed Spa in northeast Minneapolis to take a much-needed break from winter.

by Simone Cazares and Samantha Matsumoto

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February 7, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: Let's go ride a kite!

For our Winter Play series, where MPR News staff try winter activities new to them, Bemidji bureau reporter Mathew Holding Eagle III drove further — and maybe flew further — than anyone else as he tried winter kiteboarding.

by Mathew Holding Eagle III

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February 6, 2023 9:43 AM

Winter Play: The anticipation, anguish and magic of ice dipping

As MPR News staff fanned out across the state to experience cold weather activities they had never tried for the Winter Play series, Regina Medina and Elizabeth Shockman took a transformative plunge in Lake Harriet.

by Regina Medina and Elizabeth Shockman

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February 3, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: We tried Minnesota birrrd-watching

It’s cold. But the birds here don’t mind. Why not try your hand at joining them? As part of the Winter Play series MPR News’ Amy Felegy took to a snowy, wooded path in northwestern Minnesota to give you the scoop on winter birding for the first time.

by Amy Felegy

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February 2, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: Ice fishing — learning family tradition hook, line and sinker

Our staff across the state set out to try a new-to-them winter pastime. MPR News’ southwest Minnesota reporter Hannah Yang spent her first day ice fishing with her father-in-law and husband in Faribault, Minn.

by Hannah Yang

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February 1, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: Ice climbing on the North Shore

As part of MPR News’ Winter Play series, reporter Dan Kraker tried ice climbing for the first time on a cliff north of Two Harbors, an experience he found challenging, rewarding and — when it was over, at least — fun.

by Dan Kraker

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January 31, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: Dog sledding in southern Minnesota

As part of MPR News’ Winter Play series, reporter Catharine Richert spent the afternoon dog sledding near Cannon Falls. Her best advice? Don’t let go of the sled.

by Catharine Richert

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January 30, 2023 4:00 AM

Winter Play: Cruising snow-covered trails on a fat tire bike near Brainerd

The sport of winter fat tire biking is booming in popularity. It’s an accessible, low-cost and fun way to get outside in nature during the colder months — and we tried it.

by Kirsti Marohn