Go for Gold: Where to Find Winter Olympic Sports in Twin Cities Gateway

The world’s eyes are on the podium, but you don’t need a flight to experience the thrill of competition. If you’re looking for Winter Olympic sports in Twin Cities Gateway, our 11 communities offer world-class venues where you can channel your inner athlete. Whether you want to “sweep” like a pro or glide through the pines, here is your guide to local Olympic-style action.

Curling

• Four Seasons Curling Club at Fogerty Arena (Blaine): If you’ve watched the precision of the “chess on ice,” you’ll want to visit the Four Seasons Curling Club at Fogerty Arena in Blaine. As a Year-Round Olympic Training Site, this is the premier destination for anyone looking to try this unique sport. They offer “Learn to Curl” clinics and league play, making it the top spot for Winter Olympic sports in Twin Cities Gateway.  Fun Fact: Fogerty Arena is the official training site for the United States Curling Association and the US Olympic Training Center for Curling.  It was also host to the 2017 United States Olympic Trials for Mixed Doubles!

Cross-Country Skiing

• Bunker Hills Regional Park (Coon Rapids): Features over 20 kilometers of groomed trails that wind through oak savannas and pine forests. They offer both classical and skate-skiing trails and even have rentals available at the Activities Center.

• Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve (Lino Lakes): This park offers beautiful, scenic trails perfect for long-distance endurance skiing.

• Chomonix Golf Course (Lino Lakes): During the winter, the flat terrain of the golf course is groomed specifically for cross-country skiing, making it a great spot for beginners.

• Rum River Central Regional Park (Ramsey): Offers several miles of groomed trails along the banks of the Rum River.

Ice Skating & Hockey

• NSC Super Rink (Blaine): As the largest ice arena complex in the world, this is the ultimate destination for figure skating and hockey. With eight sheets of ice, it’s a constant hub of Olympic-level energy. Fun Fact: The USA Women’s Olympic Hockey team trained at the NSC in 2021-22 leading up to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, China!

• Fogerty Arena (Blaine): In addition to curling, Fogerty is a major hub for youth and high school hockey.

• Hillview Park Ice Rink (Mounds View): A great community spot featuring a full-size hockey rink and a separate pleasure skating rink with a warming house.

Snowshoeing

• Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (Coon Rapids): You can trek along the Mississippi River on designated snowshoe trails. Rentals are available at the Visitor Center if you don’t have your own gear.

• Wargo Nature Center (Lino Lakes): Located within the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, this center provides snowshoe rentals and guided winter tracking events.

Skijoring

• Bunker Hills Regional Park (Coon Rapids): Want an Olympic-style sport with a furry twist? Head to Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids for skijoring. Their dedicated 5km dog-skiing loop (the Blue Loop) is one of the most unique ways to experience Winter Olympic sports in Twin Cities Gateway.