Why I Love Winter in North Dakota – and You Will, Too
Discover why a North Dakota native can’t get enough of the state’s cold weather.
Amy Schimetz, a North Dakota native and the outdoor education coordinator at Lake Metigoshe State Park in Bottineau County, embraces winter. In fact, she lives by the saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” Said another way: With the right gear, it’s easy to love the brisk air, wide-open spaces, fresh snow and bright blue skies that characterize winter in the Peace Garden State. Ahead, learn more about Schimetz and the beautiful, fun season that is winter in North Dakota.
Where and how long have you lived in North Dakota?
I was born and raised in Mandan. I went to college at North Dakota State University in Fargo. During the summers, I worked in Medora for privately owned businesses and for the National Park Service at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In 2005, I started working for North Dakota Parks & Recreation at Cross Ranch State Park in Center. A few months later, I transferred to Lake Metigoshe State Park in Bottineau, where I have lived, worked and played for almost 19 years now!
Why do you love winter in North Dakota?
I love to see our landscape with a fresh blanket of snow and the trees coated in hoarfrost. I enjoy creating opportunities for our park visitors to get outdoors, especially in the winter months, as I feel it is underrated.
Describe your perfect North Dakota winter day.
Any day where there is a fresh blanket of snow, calm winds, bluebird skies and temps in the teens! These are days where it is fun for my husband, our girls (ages 8 and 13) and I to get outdoors. We like to go ice fishing, and when the fish aren’t biting, we ice skate. It’s something I did with my family growing up. On New Year’s Eve, our girls skated on a frozen lake for the first time. They were in awe as they skated on Lake Metigoshe at sunset. They think it’s pretty cool to do things my husband and I did as kids.
Who serves your favorite hot drink (and food) in North Dakota?
I frequent Metigoshe Coffee House in Bottineau for hot or iced lattes. It is located along the lakeshore and has a warm, welcoming feel complete with a fireplace, an adorable boutique called the Pink Tackle Box, a year-round, million-dollar view and a great coffee roast! Trudy, the owner and operator, is amazing at welcoming visitors and locals alike. My family often visits the A Frame Bar and Grill in Bottineau for good food, which includes my husband’s favorite, a bourbon steak. I like to order the poutine appetizer, that way I get my favorite things put together in one dish.
What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday during the winter?
Our girls are both on the Bottineau Winter Park ski team, so we spend most of our Friday evenings and Saturdays there. Our girls love it. On Fridays, they ski under the moon and stars. I’m recovering from an injury and haven’t skied in a while, so for now, I sit inside and enjoy reading, visiting with friends and watching the girls come down the hill with big smiles on their faces. The lodge has floor-to-ceiling windows with great views. It’s pretty to watch the sunset and see the snow sparkle while watching the skiers and snowboarders. There are portable fire pits and benches, so I can sit outside when the weather permits.
What are your favorite ways to spend time outdoors in the winter and where?
I love planning and executing Lake Metigoshe State Park’s Wild Outdoor Women events and introducing women to all the winter wonders in the area. Many of the state parks have equipment rentals and great trails to explore during the winter months. My family enjoys going out on the parks’ trails to snowshoe and skishoe (a cross between snowshoes and cross-country skis). Skishoes can go on packed trails, or you can break a trail with them. I like to use them on packed trails here at the park. I play where I work and work where I play.
What is your favorite local winter event to attend in your community?
There’s nothing like gathering downtown on Main Street to light up the town’s Christmas tree! There are often snow-covered streets in town, making it a beautiful, festive sight. It’s nice to see people gather around campfire pits, sipping hot drinks among the small businesses and local establishments. It’s a great way to welcome the holiday season.
What is your favorite indoor winter activity?
Several years ago, I got our daughters into going to open ice skating at the Bottineau Community Arena. We went almost every weekend as a way to get out of the house during the pandemic. We all have our own skates, and we look forward to meeting friends or going there when extended family members come visit. They often have fun music playing, and it’s a great time.
What do you wish nonresidents knew about winter in North Dakota?
People are often scared off by the weather we get, but if you know how to dress and are prepared, there are so many great options to embrace and enjoy the winter season in North Dakota.
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.