Winter Engagement Session Fun Ideas & Locations in the Twin Cities Area

When I ask couples about their favorite season for an engagement session, I almost always get the same three answers: late May (hoping for some flowers), summer, and of course fall, with its warm Indian summer colors.

Very few people think of winter, and yet, in the right conditions, it can be one of the most beautiful times to shoot. You might get a fresh blanket of snow, a crisp sunny day with clear blue skies, or the perfect excuse to do something you actually love together, like skating, sledding, or ice fishing. Winter gives your photos a mood and a story that no other season can match.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best Rochester-area locations for a winter engagement session, organized around the kind of experience you want.

Note : this article is for the Twin Cities. Here is the article for winter activities in Rochester.

Wait for The Day After the Snowstorm

When people think of Minnesota winters, they often picture the movie Fargo and its relentless blizzards. And while shooting during an actual snowstorm is obviously not a great idea, the day right after is often the single best time for winter engagement photos.

The trees are still loaded with snow, and loose flakes drift through the air catching the light. When the sun comes out from behind the clouds, it hits those floating snowflakes and makes them sparkle. There is really no other way to describe it: it is magical.

Temperature-wise, a sunny day right after a storm is usually mild by Minnesota standards. Heavy snow rarely falls at minus 20F, so post-storm mornings tend to sit in a comfortable range for an outdoor session.

To really show off the snow, you want a dark background, and nothing works better than tall pine trees. We will cover the best pine tree locations later in this guide. Urban settings can also work surprisingly well, especially when fresh snow is still sitting on windowsills, benches, and brick facades before foot traffic disturbs it.

The one thing to keep in mind: timing matters. Get there early and avoid busy spots. Pristine, untouched snow makes all the difference.

Ski Stations near the Twin cities for a Ski or Snowboard Engagement Session

The first thing that comes to my mind when snow finally covers the hills is skiing! Skiing is a mix of extreme sport, pure nature environment, holiday season, and, somehow, an elitist activity, where a break sounds like sipping a cup of hot wine in a Swiss chalet.
Despite Minnesota being more famous for its prairie areas than tall mountains, there are a few ski resorts we can visit.
And for those who are more in the cross country ski sport, be reassured, we can also include it.

Alpin Ski Stations Twin Cities Area

• Afton Alps (Hastings) is a large resort with diverse terrain. The pine tree lines make excellent backgrounds for movement shots.
• Buck Hill (Burnsville) sits close to Minneapolis and offers great views of the Twin Cities skyline from the top of the lift. Evening sessions here can include the city lights.
• Hyland Hills (Bloomington) has easy access and gentler slopes, perfect for couples who want a relaxed, playful vibe without intense skiing.

Cross country Ski Location around Minneapolis and St Paul

• Theodore Wirth Park (Minneapolis). What we love the more is the Theodore Wirth Chalet that we will definitively use, and the pines tree around. Theodore Wirth Park has 14 miles of groomed trails, beginner to advanced, lighted, with manufactured snow. One of the best urban ski experiences in the metro.
• Chain of Lakes (Minneapolis): This one has a beautiful scenery through some of Minneapolis’s most iconic areas.
• Como Park (St. Paul) : In addition of the Conservatory that we can include in the photos, the park also have cross country trail that we will happily use! We can also use the adjacent Lake Como and its pavilion.

Tips for a great ski photo session

1. Your outfit
   We want to avoid the red ski coat and other sport materials that might distract attention. Keep it simple.
   We won’t ski crazy, so you can even wear a dress if you feel comfortable.
   Also ski is a pretty intense sport, so don’t over dress or you will be to hot.
2. Your photographer
   Of course you also need a good photographer who knows how to ski (and would be comfortable bringing his camera on his back and using it on skis in the snow). Basically, you need a French photographer! How lucky! I am that guy! 😀
3. Time of the day for the light.
   In winter the light is good all day. We want sun though. And ski station are usually facing north, so we want a slope that take a bit of sun. So usually afternoon is a good time (and usually warmer that early morning).

Dare a Sledding Engagement Session

Sledding is just fun, plain and simple, in sum it create a moment of complicity.
The laughter is real, nobody is posing, and it shows in the photos.
And be reassured, you don’t have to go full speed down every hill either. Pulling each other, sitting bundled up together on the sled, or just dragging it through the snow while you walk, it all makes for great pictures.

Hills to Sled and Take Pictures in the Twin Cities Area

• Como Park Sledding Hill (St. Paul) combines great sledding with the beautiful Como Park Conservatory architecture nearby.
• Theodore Wirth Park (Minneapolis) offers large hills in a scenic wooded setting.
• Columbia Golf Course Hill (Minneapolis) is a popular neighborhood spot with a nice open feel.
• Buck Hill Tubing (Burnsville) provides organized tubing lanes with lights for evening sessions if you want that fun, carnival atmosphere.

Tip of for your Sledding session

1. One thing worth doing: grab two vintage wooden sleds or a couple of those colorful plastic saucers before the shoot. They look great on camera and add a nice playful touch without trying too hard.
2. Glasses: if you are actually going sledding, make sure to wear sunglasses or goggles. That said, we might want to get some good portraits done before you put them on, to avoid the marks they leave on your face.

Ice Skating Engagement Session In Minneapolis & St Paul

I had my first kiss on an ice rink. We were teenagers, barely knew how to skate, and holding hands! I guess I am not the only one, and ice skating is one of those activities that really shows how close two people are. It can be incredibly romantic and full of joy.
The best locations are of course outside (better light, better backgrounds), but I have heard that Minnesota has a few hockey players. So if that is your case, you can even plan for an indoor session at your favorite rink.

Twin Cities Outdoor Rinks

Those three options offer skate rentale.

Rice Park / Landmark Center Rink (St. Paul) features a gorgeous historic building backdrop. One of the most elegant rink settings in Minnesota. Plus you can have picture in town afterward.

Loring Park Rink (Minneapolis) sits near downtown with a nice urban-meets-nature atmosphere. It’s really cute place with “old” building all around. A bit of a central park vibe.

Lake Nokomis Rink (Minneapolis) offers a more relaxed neighborhood vibe surrounded by trees.

Centennial Lakes (Edina), with a bunch of bridges and surrounded by modern glass windows building and nature. it’s a pretty unique place.

Unique Twin Cities Ice Trails

The bravest ones would dare trails. Note we would not skate long time on the trails, just the first mile at maximum!

Maple Grove Central Park Ice Loop is a smooth, winding ice path through the park rather than a traditional oval rink. It photographs beautifully as you skate through the landscape.

The Trail at Guidant John Rose Oval (Roseville) is an extended skating track, excellent for dynamic movement shots with space to glide.

Consider an Ice Fishing Engagement Session in the Twin Cities area

Hear me out on this one. Ice fishing is not the obvious choice for an engagement session, but that is exactly what makes it interesting. It is a real Minnesota thing, and if it is part of your life, it belongs in your photos.
There is actually a lot to work with out there. Walking across the frozen lake together, sitting by the fish house, checking the lines, pulling each other on a sled. You can bundle up under a blanket next to a little gas heater, roast marshmallows, drink cocoa. I love the idea of staging the rings on the rod, or just letting the wide open winter landscape do all the work.
And honestly, it can get pretty funny too. A fish flopping around at the wrong moment, someone slipping on the ice, the groom’s face when the bride actually catches something. Some of the best photos come from not taking it too seriously.

Best Ice Fishing spots in the Twin Cities Area

• Lake Minnetonka is one of the classic ice fishing lakes in Minnesota. On weekends, you will find clusters of fish houses that add character to the background.
• White Bear Lake is another reliable option with a bright, clean winter look.
• Prior Lake offers wide-open backgrounds and good access.
• Lake Pepin (Lake City) features massive “shanty towns” of ice houses during peak season. The bluff backdrop along the Mississippi is unbeatable for dramatic photos.

Walking on a Frozen Lake: The Most Minnesota Thing You Can Do in Winter

I know, it sounds a little unexpected. Photos on a frozen lake? But trust me on this one, it is one of my favorite settings in winter.
The lake gives you something you almost cannot recreate anywhere else: a wide, clean, almost endless background that makes every shot feel cinematic. Just the two of you walking together, and the whole frame works.
And then there is the experience itself. The ice groans and cracks under your feet, you look at each other wondering what exactly you signed up for by following a French photographer out onto a frozen lake, and that moment, that mix of nerves and laughter, is exactly what makes the photos so alive.
We always pick a spot nobody has walked on yet, so the surface is completely untouched. Some lakes are pure white and minimal. Others have cracked textures that look almost like abstract art, or open patches of water with docks breaking up the horizon. Every lake has its own personality.

Note, on very cold winter, we would also consider walking on the Mississippi River!

5 Frozen Lakes for your winter photo session in the Twin Cities Area

• Lake of the Isles (Minneapolis) is beautiful with the historic homes visible in the background.
• Lake Harriet (Minneapolis) offers a classic Minneapolis winter scene.
• Bde Maka Ska (Minneapolis) provides wide-open space and great light.
• White Bear Lake (St. Paul area) is large with a bright, expansive feel.
• Lake Minnetonka (Wayzata Bay) is massive and open. On some weekends, you can find art installations or ice events that add color and interest.

Best Pine Tree Woods For Photo Sessions in the Twin Cities Area

For a lot of people, winter is synonymous with Christmas, and therefore Christmas trees and the North Pole. And what looks more like the North Pole than a pine forest covered in snow?
Walking in a pine forest is simple, and also amazing for photos. Sometimes simplicity is best. But it needs to be beautiful pine trees. On the other hand, woods with deciduous trees are the ones to avoid. They just look sad and bare. So here is a short list of places for your next winter session.

• Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Eagan) features rolling terrain with pine forests and open meadows; great variety in one location.
• Theodore Wirth Park Trails (Minneapolis) is a large urban park with wooded trails that feel miles away from the city.
• Minnehaha Falls Park (Upper Trails) offers the famous frozen waterfall plus wooded paths above.
• The Arboretum At Gustavus Adolphus College (St Peter, next to Mankato) as a nice pine area in the retreat area
• Square Lake Park (Stillwater), as a very nice Pine area next to the entrance and the first parking. Plus you can go down the stairs to take pictures on the frozen lake.
• Rice Creek North Regional Trail : (Circles Pines), the trail go through different smaller park (Indian Hills Park, Pheasant Run Park, Aspen Park). It cross an area covered in Pine tree, in trail , oriented west-east). The pine tree area is bordered by other deciduous tree, so you won’t have tones of points of view except inside the wood area. It’s a pretty conveniently located trail for winter photos. Plus, around, you have several lake with reeds to use.

Frozen Waterfall for your Engagement Sessions

There is something magical about rushing water brought to a complete standstill. Frozen waterfalls create dramatic, otherworldly backdrops that photograph beautifully. The ice formations change throughout winter, so no two visits look the same.

Waterfalls to take photos near Twin Cities Area

Minnehaha Falls (Minneapolis) is the most accessible frozen waterfall in Minnesota. The 53-foot drop freezes into draped curtains and crystalline pillars, often forming an ice cave behind the cascade. Morning light paints the ice with arctic blues; at dusk, amber glow warms the contours. A short walk from parking or the light rail makes this effortless to reach. You can walk behind the frozen falls when conditions allow, creating incredible photo opportunities.

Hidden Falls (St. Paul) in Hidden Falls Regional Park is close to town and less crowded than Minnehaha. The falls freeze into beautiful formations with easy trail access.

Shadow Falls (St. Paul) is a hidden gem at the end of Summit Avenue. The small waterfall freezes into layered ice formations in a secluded ravine setting.

Vermillion Falls (Hastings) is an urban waterfall with easy parking and an observation deck. The falls freeze beautifully and the downtown location means you can warm up at nearby cafes between shots.

Minnesota Waterfalls to take photos at Day Trip Distance

Hidden Falls at Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park (about an hour south of Minneapolis) offers a frozen waterfall in a quiet forest setting. The one-mile loop trail descends to the falls through beautiful winter woods. Much less crowded than Minnehaha.

Minneopa Falls (Mankato) features a twin-drop waterfall that freezes into layered tiers and crystal curtains. About 90 minutes from the Twin Cities but worth the drive for dramatic ice formations.

Waterfalls to take photos in thee North Shore (For the Adventurous)

If you are willing to make a longer trip, Minnesota’s North Shore offers some of the most spectacular frozen waterfalls in the Midwest.

Gooseberry Falls State Park (Two Harbors) transforms into massive ice sculptures in winter. You can sometimes walk behind the frozen falls.

High Falls at Tettegouche State Park (Silver Bay) plunges 120 feet and freezes into a colossal ice wall. The short hike crosses a swinging bridge through snow-silent forest.

Note: North Shore waterfalls require microspikes or yaktrax for icy trails. The drive is 2-3 hours from the Twin Cities, making this better suited for couples who want to combine their session with a weekend getaway.

The ultimate Winter Backdrop: the Ice Castles

Ice Castles is a winter phenomenon that brings fairy tales to life. Professional ice artists create towering structures from hundreds of thousands of hand-placed icicles, including tunnels, caverns, thrones, fountains, slides, and elaborate sculptures; all illuminated by LED lights that shift through colors.

The Ice Castles is usually located at the Twin Cities Areas. Some years it will be at Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, but not always. They typically open in early January and run through mid-February, weather permitting.

Can the Ice Castle Works for Engagement Photos

Yes. We love the ice archways tower overhead, tunnels glow with blue and purple light, and frozen thrones invite you to sit together like winter royalty. At night, the LED lighting creates an otherworldly atmosphere that photographs unlike anywhere else.

Minnesota Ice Festival and Ice Maze (Eagan)

The Minnesota Ice Festival at Viking Lakes in Eagan features the world’s largest ice maze (officially recognized by Guinness World Records). The maze spans nearly 20,000 square feet and uses over 2 million pounds of ice.

The festival runs from early January through mid-February as part of Winter SKOLstice at TCO Performance Center (where the Minnesota Vikings train).

What Makes It Special

Beyond the maze itself, the festival includes ice slides, a skating rink, ice bars, warming houses, fire pits, and over 100 ice sculptures. The Carver Cup brings international ice sculpting teams to compete, so you may catch artists at work creating new pieces.

Should you take pictures during the blue hour LED-lit hours?

At dusk, the maze’s LED lights turn on, creating a pretty but unnatural background. Would it work for photos?
Honestly, I have some doubts… it might be too much of a Halloween night festival vibe. So I would recommend not taking pictures during this time.

Where to Go for Your Urban Winter Sessions in the Twin Cities?

If, like me, you grew up in a big city, winter often means those gray days spent outside in the streets. Eating roasted chestnuts, grilled corn, sipping cocoa. It means city lights and beautiful old brick or stone buildings, where the inside looks so warm. And no trees means no bare branches, making urban spots the perfect backdrop for any type of winter day.

So where to go for great urban winter photos in the Twin Cities?

St. Paul

• The Landmark Center is one of the most stunning buildings in the city and works beautifully in photos.
• The St. Paul Central Library, with its white stone facade, is gorgeous, almost like a little British Museum.
• W 7th Place features two theaters with old-fashioned marquee lights: the Palace Theatre and the Park Square Theater.
• Cathedral Hill neighborhood features historic homes and tree-lined streets that look stunning in snow.
• Summit Avenue is one of the most beautiful residential streets in the Midwest, lined with grand historic homes.

Minneapolis

• The North Loop offers industrial brick buildings, murals, and a modern urban feel.
• Nicollet Mall during the holidays brings city lights and festive energy.
• SE Main Street has plenty of warm, inviting coffee shop and restaurant storefronts. The Main Cinema Theatre with its old-fashioned marquee lights works especially well in photos.

Rooftops for winter photos

Located in the heart of the city, parking garage rooftops can be a great winter spot, offering a 360-degree view of the cityscape. Perfect for catching the last rays of sun. They also pair well with another location on the same day.

Here is a list of the best rooftops to use in the Twin Cities!

Other Spectacular Activities for the Ultimate Romantic Winter Engagement Session of Your Dreams

If skiing, skating, walking on a frozen lake, hiking through a pine forest, visiting an ice castle, exploring an ice maze, and city landscapes are still not exciting enough for you, here are some extra ideas that would require a bit of Driving.

• Hudson Hot Air Affair (just across the border in Wisconsin): imagine hot air balloons floating in the sky behind you. Need I say more?
• Dog sledding: perfect for dog lovers. We will only use it for a few photos, but having a sled pulled by a team of dogs in the background is pretty amazing.
• St. Cloud Kite Festival: giant colorful kites against a bright blue winter sky make for a stunning backdrop.