Snow sports lovers, rejoice—winter is officially back in St. Croix Falls. After a few lean snow years, the flakes have returned, the landscape is transformed, and all snow sports are in full force once again. Historically, over 50 inches of snow blanket Taylors Falls, MN and St. Croix Falls, WI each winter—and this season is delivering.

To some, snow means slowing down and waiting for spring. Not here. Here, we unpack. We wax skis and boards, inflate tubes and fat bike tires, fire up snowmobiles, and layer up from wool socks to mittens. Trails are groomed. Hills are alive. Winter jackets are out of storage for good. This is the season we’ve been waiting for.

Best of all, this winter wonderland is just one hour from the Twin Cities, making St. Croix Falls the perfect snow-cation getaway. Close enough for an easy drive, far enough to feel like a true escape—ideal for a long weekend packed with adventure, cozy evenings, and fresh snow underfoot.

The trails and parks of the St. Croix Valley rank among the best in the midwest for snow sports of every kind and every skill level. Add in dramatic bluffs, river views, and some of the most unique geology in the world, and you’ve got terrain that’s as beautiful as it is exhilarating. Just remember to pause once in a while, breathe in the cold air, and take it all in.