?? winter vacation advice from an outdoor enthusiast





explore minnesota | minnesota outdoors | winter stays & vacays | warm lit geo dome cabin amongst the night sky and tall pine trees [ [link removed] ]





interview with jon kreye

If you've ever come across a thumb-stopping Minnesota glamping photo on Instagram and thought, "I HAVE TO go there," you may recognize Jon Kreye’s work. As a hospitality and travel photographer, he’s dedicated his career to capturing unique places to stay right here in the Midwest. Jon’s job allows him to both stay in beautiful places and capture their story from behind the lens. Want to steal his secrets? Jon shares some tips, stories and recommendations for experiencing a wonderful winter vacation in Minnesota. 






small cottage's warmly lit interior glows outside amongst the night snow and tall pines. [ [link removed] ]





first off, what do you consider glamping?

For me, glamping is staying in anything without a hard roof. If the roof is made of canvas or another flexible material — like a yurt, dome, or wall tent — that’s glamping.

 

Once you move into a hard-sided structure like a cabin, A-frame, or camper, it becomes a different experience. You have running water, insulation, maybe a fireplace or bathroom. With glamping, you’re still close to nature and can feel the wind, rain, or snow around you — which is part of what makes it exciting.

 

The best thing is camping, glamping and cabins all provide different ways to slow down and enjoy nature. For anyone who hasn’t camped before, glamping can be the perfect middle ground. You get that outdoor experience, but still have a warm bed and a few comforts that make it easier to enjoy.

 






Four people in swimsuits, winter hats and tennis shoes sit in a circular sauna. The coals steam from a wood stove next to full glass wall. [ [link removed] ]





what advice would you give folks who are hesitant about a winter vacation? 

If you live in Minnesota, you can’t avoid winter, so you might as well celebrate it. The key is being prepared and making it comfortable. *Pack more layers* [ [link removed] ] than you think you’ll need, bring hand (and foot) warmers and plan cozy meals like soups or chili. 

 

You can also book a stay with a *sauna [ [link removed] ]*, wood-burning fireplace or hot tub, so you can warm up after being outside. Those things create such a comforting sense of hygge — that cozy, content feeling that makes you actually "look forward "to the cold. 

 

When you’re layered up and prepared, you can do just about anything outdoors in the winter — hiking, snowshoeing, even biking — and stay completely warm. Once you realize that, it changes your whole mindset about the season.

 






a wooden round table with two black wicker chairs next to two windows inside a cozy cabin. Outside snow has powdered the ground. [ [link removed] ]





any standout cabins or properties you’ve stayed in that capture minnesota hygge? 

*Huut Haus [ [link removed] ]* in Grand Marais comes to mind right away. It’s a Scandinavian design lover’s dream — minimalist, modern, and intentional in every detail, surrounded by forest just a few minutes from town. The wood-burning fireplace and warm lighting make it the perfect place to slow down. 

 

*Klȧrhet [ [link removed] ]* near Lutsen is incredible. It’s a set of glamping domes with fireplaces and views of Lake Superior — the perfect romantic winter getaway for two, especially if you like to ski.

 






person wrapped in a black+white plaid blanket & warm socks looks out an all window side of a cabin. The sun casts dreamy shadows on the interior. [ [link removed] ]





what makes a cabin “photo-worthy”? 

Intention makes or breaks a property. You can have a simple cabin that feels incredible because every choice was intentional. It’s about how the light comes through the windows, the texture of the wood, the colors and textures of the furnishings, the view out to the trees or lake, and how all of those things make you feel when you’re there. 

 

I always appreciate when a place has a connection to nature — being deep in the woods or overlooking a quiet lake. That connection is something people crave, especially those coming from the city. I love when design choices nod to the local area through the furnishings, art or materials used. It doesn’t have to be perfect or overly styled — it just has to feel thoughtful and true to the place.

 

 






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minnesotan hosts are some of the kindest and most genuine people you’ll meet.

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what makes glamping in minnesota unique compared to other states? 

It’s our *lakes and our cabin culture [ [link removed] ]*. Minnesota’s connection to the outdoors runs deep, and you see that reflected in how our glamping sites and cabins are designed to make you feel close to nature.

 

And honestly, the people. Minnesotan hosts are some of the kindest and most genuine people you’ll meet. Most of them do this because they love hosting, not just because it’s a business. You feel that in the way they set up their spaces, in the handwritten notes, the *local coffee* [ [link removed] ] they stock or the firewood stacked outside the door. There’s a real sense of hospitality that feels different here.

 






woman downhill skiing in a green helmet, rainbow goggles, purple winter coat, black snow pants, and yellow gloves. [ [link removed] ]





do you have a favorite winter activity to pair with your stays? 

Skiing, hands down. I love the rush of gliding down fresh powder in the middle of winter. When I can, I’ll *plan trips around ski areas [ [link removed] ]* like Lutsen or Spirit Mountain, so that I can combine adventure during the day with a cozy fire in the evening. 

 

 

has your perspective on minnesota’s winters changed since you started photographing winter stays? 

Absolutely. I’ve learned to embrace the winters instead of dreading them. When you spend time at these cabins or glamping sites in the snow — sipping coffee by a fire, stepping outside into the quiet woods, watching the sunrise over a frozen lake — it makes you realize how beautiful this season really is. 

 

Once you shift your mindset from “survive winter” to “enjoy winter,” everything changes. It becomes something to look forward to.

 






a family all bundled up outside around a campfire, roasting marshmallows. [ [link removed] ]





do you have any tips for winter vacations with kids in minnesota? 

As a dad of two under four, I know exactly what it feels like to take a “relaxing” trip with little ones — the extra bathroom breaks, the endless snacks, and the creative attempts to keep everyone happy in the backseat. 

 

My biggest tip is this: you don’t have to drive four hours north to have a memorable winter getaway. There are so many charming towns, cozy cabins, camping opportunities, ski hills and unique Airbnbs *within an hour of the Twin Cities* [ [link removed] ]. You can still get that sense of escape and adventure without the long drive and logistics. 

 

For families in other parts of the state, the same idea applies. Open the Airbnb app and look within an hour radius of home and you’ll be surprised what hidden gems you’ll find. There are so many glamping domes, tiny cabins and family-friendly stays with space for the kids to play in the snow. 

 

Sometimes the best winter vacations aren’t about how far you go, but about finding a simple, cozy spot close to home where everyone can slow down and actually enjoy it.






*DISCOVER THE BEST MN GLAMPING SPOTS* [ [link removed] ]


*READ OUR TOP CABIN RENTAL ROUND-UP* [ [link removed] ]











related content

MORE OUTDOOR WINTER TIPS & TRIPS

 

?? *How to dress for winter >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Find the best downhill skiing and snowboarding slopes >>* [ [link removed] ]

 

?? *Follow Jon on Instagram for more dreamworthy sites >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Check out these great winter hikes >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *_Lean into the extreme with winter camping >> [ [link removed] ]_*






"from top to bottom: Klarhet in Lutsen, photo by Melanie Graves  |  North Country Cottages in Lutsen, photo by North Country Cottages  |  Sauna Camp in Independence, photo by Paul Vincent  |  Huut Haus in Grand Marais, photo by Huut Haus  |  Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington, photo by Dana Hernandez  |  Lutsen Mountains in Lutsen, photo by Ryan Taylor  |  Nature Link Resort in Nisswa, photo by Paul Vincent"

"""_
""This interview has been edited for length and clarity."""






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