Stay, Play, B.L.A. - a blog - Colton Maher

WINTER “what to do” in the BLA!

There's plenty of fun to be had in the Brainerd Lakes Area during the Winter. Check out our list of fun activities below to get outside and enjoy the TRUE NORTH.

Sledding, Tubing, Snowboarding and Downhill Skiing

The Brainerd Lakes Area offers excellent downhill skiing, snow boarding, and some of Minnesota’s best tubing with one of the largest tubing hills in Minnesota at Mount Ski Gull located just a short drive north of Brainerd and Baxter.

Big Sev Sledding | Brainerd

Sledding hill located at Hitch-Wayne Park off South Seventh Street. Sleds available for public use. 

Fritz Loven Park | Lake Shore

Bring your own sled and take a visit to Fritz Loven park for it's awesome free to the public sledding hill located near the…

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Outdoorsman Update: Jordan Yira Issue 3

Winter fun! Just because hunting season is wrapped up for this year doesn’t mean you can’t think about next year!

Winter is a great time to get out in the woods and do some scouting and shed hunting. Deer are starting to lose their antlers, so this is a great time to get the family outdoors and look for some antlers!

Ice fishing has been underway for awhile now and still reports of great fishing! As the winter progresses anglers may have to work for the fish more but still should be able to find a good bite! Anglers can find luck in deeper water with a dead stick at this time of year.

The Brained Jaycees Ice fishing extravaganza is right around the corner, taking place on the 29th! If you can’t make it in person there is also the virtual…

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Winter Events in the Lakes Area!

Check out our list of local events happening in the north this Winter. Bundle up and get out to mingle with the locals!

Every Wednesday + Saturday: Bend + Brew at MN Traders Co. Register for a Saturday class here. Register for a Wednesday class here.

January 11th 6-7pm: Every Tuesday Bingo at Roundhouse Brewery

January 13th 6-8pm: Every Thursday Meat Raffle at Roundhouse Brewery

January 14th-16th: Back to Hack Snowmobile Days. Hackensack's annual activity-filled weekend full of fun and winter entertainment.

January 14th 6-9pm: Bruce Archer LIVE MUSIC at Roundhouse Brewery

January 15th 6-9pm: Ted Feyder LIVE MUSIC at Roundhouse Brewery

January 21st 6-9pm: Mark Peterson Band - LIVE MUSIC at Roundhouse Brewery

January…

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Outdoorsman Update: Jordan Yira Issue 2

December Update, Holiday edition: Winter is here in the BLA and brings many opportunities for the outdoorsmen and women!

Deer hunters just wrapped up the muzzleloader season but archers still have until the end of the month to punch a tag. Geese hunters are still in luck until Christmas Eve. Grouse and pheasant hunters have until January 2nd to chase birds.

The hard water is here! Fishermen can expect to find many bays and smaller lakes froze over! Some of the bigger lakes in the area may still be open or have weak ice. You can always check with the local resorts and bait shops on ice conditions. Some of the best fishing in my opinion happens around this time! While it is a fun and exciting time, it’s important to know that ice conditions…

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Holiday TO-DOS & Events in the Brainerd Lakes Area!

It's the best time of the year and there's plenty of festive events and activities to enjoy in the BLA. Check out our TO-DO list below and have a merry good time! 

Christmas Acres | Copper Creek Nisswa Fridays and Saturdays 4-7pm

Christmas Acres trail walk, santra visits, ice rink (bring your own), hayrides, face painting, ornament decorating, letters to Santa, bonfires and treats, hot drinks, photo stations, ugly sweater contest, Christmas trees, classes and workshops, holiday shopping and more!

Sip n' Shop Pequot Lakes | MN Traders Co December 11th 9-3pm

Pequot Lakes will be doing another Sip n Shop event, with even more participants this time! Enjoy a winter shopping crawl full of discounts and incentives.

…

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Outdoorsman Update: Jordan Yira Issue 1

Local hunting fanatic Jordan Yira shares his expertise in all things wildlife for our November Update!

As the temps start to drop and the snow starts to fall… A hunter can still expect some late season success. From the reports the 3rd week of gun hunting was tough in the 604. Luckily, hunters in zone 604 and surrounding areas still have an opportunity to fill a tag with muzzleloader season coming up. For all of you archery hunters, you have until New Year’s Eve to capitalize. We still can expect to see rutting activity as some does go into heat a little later on.

Bird hunters can still continue to chase migrating waterfowl and have great luck. Grouse hunters can also find thunder chickens throughout the Northwoods Timbers.

November is a…

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Where to get your Christmas Tree near the BLA!

Time to get your tree up! Whether you are team Cut Your Own or purchase a Pre-Cut Christmas Tree - Woods To Water has made a list of the nearest places where you can go to do just that this Holiday season!

Pre-Cut Christmas Trees

Copper Creek | Nisswa

Pre-cut christmas trees, wreaths, in-door potted plants, festive holiday decorations, in-person classes and more! Free apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee Fri, Sat, & Sun while supplies last. Check out their "Christmas Acres" with most festivities happening the Friday and Saturday leading up to Christmas.

Landsburg Nursery | Brainerd

Pre-cut christmas trees, wreaths, in-door potted plants, festive holiday decorations, and landscaping needs!

Cut Your Own…

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2021 Nisswa City of Lights Schedule

There's no better way to kick-off of the Holiday Season in the BLA than the Nisswa City of Lights and Woods To Water is excited to celebrate with you!

Be sure to check out Woods to Water X Copper Creek's Gingerbread Parade of Homes at the W2W office located in the heart of Nisswa. Find the full schedule of family friendly events below:

Friday, November 26, 2021

10am-8pm Shopping Campaign Button - available at the Chamber - $5 - discounts at local stores

3:30pm Main Street closes (no parking!) – Big Axe Brewery to Main Street Ale House. Food Vendors on Main Street near the Chamber 4pm Bonfires will be lit along the Paul Bunyan Trail 4pm Blinky Lights for sale on Main Street ALL DAY Write a letter to Santa - Nisswa Chamber office

4-6pm…

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Tour of Gingerbread Homes: Woods To Water X Copper Creek

BUILDERS NEEDED: NEW CONSTRUCTION LAKE HOME!

AN INITIATIVE FOR NISSWA CITY OF LIGHTS, LEAD BY WOODS TO WATER REAL ESTATE + COPPER CREEK

Woods to Water Real Estate, partnered with Copper Creek Landscaping and we are here to spread the holiday cheer. This year, at the 40th annual Nisswa City of Lights Festival, Nisswa Chamber has gone to new levels and challenged businesses to decorate in a gingerbread theme.

Introducing the “Tour of Gingerbread Homes”, a friendly competition between Builders, Architects, and other businesses. Copper Creek Landscaping and Woods to Water will be creating a lake community, which wouldn’t be complete without participation from the local community of professionals. Please join us in celebrating the season with a…

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Halloween To Dos in the BLA!

From SWEET to SPOOKY, we’ve got your Halloween fun for all ages happening around town detailed below:

October 21st-23rd

• Copper Creek Pumpkin Carving Contest. There are 4 different workshop times - sign up on FB!

• Northland Arboretum Haunted Trail 6:30pm-9pm: Low Scare + High Scare options. Advance tickets: $17, at the door tickets: $20, Fast Pass tickets: $25. Concessions, tattoos, finger flashlight, glow necklaces and t-shirts for sale.

Monday October 25th

• MN Traders Co Boho Pumpkin Painting Event. Tickets include painting supplies, one small and one mini pumpkin to design and one beverage of choice. 10ppl per workshop at 5-6pm or 6-7pm.

Thursday October 28th

• Oct 28th-31st 7pm-9pm…

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