Across the Acres: What is your favorite winter hobby?

Jacob Loehr

Belgrade | Stearns County

What is your favorite winter hobby? My family and I enjoy snowmobiling in the winter when the conditions are right.

How did you get introduced to this activity? I got introduced to it by my dad when I was growing up. He would take my siblings out, and then, when we got older, we would go out together.

What is a fun memory associated with this hobby? I don’t have a specific memory, but for the past few years, a group of us go up north and rent a cabin to go snowmobiling. Dad has been going up north for many years, and now, I go with a group of friends.

What else occupies your spare time during the winter? Mostly snowmobiling, but when there isn’t a lot of snow, we will take our side-by-side out and drive around.

What are you looking forward to most this year? Our family does antique tractor pulls every year. All of us besides my mom do tractor pulls. We participate in antique pulls and attend the larger modified pulls when we can. I use an International 1066 Black Stripe in the pulls.

What is your favorite part of this hobby? Going out and adventuring and being in nature. Seeing the countryside in the winter.

EthanGoodwin

Osakis | Douglas County

What is your favorite winter hobby? Chasing fish on the ice.

 How did you get introduced to this activity? Grew up ice fishing with my dad. Loved it ever since, now my brothers — Caleb, Luke and Noah — and I are lucky to have turned our hobby into a business. We run Goodies Guide Service, an ice fishing guide service.

 What is a fun memory associated with this hobby? A memory that comes to mind is a time we were in Baudette watching Ethan sprint across the Rainy River after a tip up in his pj’s and boots.

 What else occupies your spare time during the winter? Winter is pretty busy with the guide service; I do enjoy time with my family and the vacations we take.

 What are you looking forward to most this year? Looking forward to keep on putting customers on fish and sharing a hobby I have found a lot of enjoyment out of.

 What is your favorite part of this hobby? The feeling of knowing you have found a good group of fish after a long cold search.

LewisMundt

Alexandria | Douglas County

What is your favorite winter hobby? In terms of outdoor hobbies, I’ve really enjoyed downhill skiing over the last few years.

How did you get introduced to this activity? I was living in Boston in 2019, and a friend took me skiing for the first time about an hour’s drive outside the city. I’d tried going one other time in high school, but all that amounted to was “try to go down the hill, fall about two dozen times and sit in the chalet for a few hours until the bus comes back.” This time, I took to it well and really enjoyed myself, and the same week, I bought a season pass for the next winter.

What is a fun memory associated with this hobby? A few winters ago, some friends and I drove to Breckenridge, Colorado, for a long ski weekend. There was a winter storm following us the whole trip, and once we got to Breckenridge, it snowed for three days straight and gave the hills an amazing snow cover for the whole weekend. It was my first time skiing on true mountains, which was challenging but gorgeous. Getting off the lift at 10,000 feet and turning around eye-level with the cloud cover is something I won’t forget.

What else occupies your spare time during the winter? I have a lot of indoor hobbies in the winter, too. I run and play in a local cribbage league, bowl with a team a few times a month and have been curling regularly for the last four years. Outside of hobbies, I read, write and keep up with indoor cycling to stay ready for spring rides.

What are you looking forward to most this year? As far as skiing goes, I’d like to explore more of the hills and resorts in Minnesota, especially in the northern part of the state. And this year I have a new set of skis I’m looking forward to breaking in.

What is your favorite part of this hobby? I like to keep physically active, and it’s a great way in the winter to make sure I’m moving my body, getting outside and staying grateful for the opportunities I have to do that, even when the winters get dark and cold.