I'm from Minnesota, but didn't start avidly climbing until I moved to Flagstaff a few months ago. I'm coming home from mid-December through early January and I really want to do some climbing.
So, I guess my ultimate question is: how possible is winter bouldering in Duluth, Taylor Falls, or even Devil's Lake, WI?
And if this is extremely possible, any advice/pointers?
I just don't want to be stuck in the pricey gym for three weeks...

Depending on this season's weather, and it's already looking to be an early winter, there's not many possibilities, but some do exist. You may find some (steep) overhanging bouldering at D. Lake, G. Dodge, or the T. Falls area, but the topouts will most likely be frozen moss or ice. If your really jonesing to get some sort of climbing in, you can get some ice gear and find suitable mixed/ice bouldering, or flows to top-rope. Otherwise, the gym's in Stillwater, Twin Cities, Madison, or Pewaukee offer 'pricey' indoor climbing. Best of luck!

Well, I'm sure it gets colder up where you are, but I do have some tips for winter bouldering from climbing in CO. Last year I bouldered a few times a week through the whole winter. I would buy a bunch of "hot hands" packets, I kept them in a pair of gloves and wore the gloves between attempts to keep my fingers warm. I would also say that warming up my shoes before hand helped as well, I put them on the dash of my car so the warm air hit them on the drive up. Thermal layers are relatively flexible for clothing options as well. Make sure you clear the snow off the top out, bring a broom or an ice scraper. Also, even when it's pretty cold if you can be on the boulders while the sun is hitting them it makes a world of difference.

There are some short problems here and if you message Paul Getzke and ask kindly I am sure he would give you the beta for a couple other sweet spots in that area, one only accessible in winter actually as you have to cross the frozen swamp to get to it.

Awesome! Thank you all so much... This really helps :) I'm super pumped to come home now!

I'd be limited to Blue Mounds, although it's not known for bouldering, there are a lot of cool problems there I could show you there. I know how excited you are to keep bouldering all year, so I'm just throwing an option out there for ya.

In Duluth, First street boulder is probably your best option. The top is usually pretty free of snow and it is only 20 feet from your car so you could run back and forth between attempts if it is really cold.

the gym in stillwater mn no longer exists. it was shut down in march due to not enough business. it was a VERY sad day

Not sure I'll be making it down to Luverne... I live more towards the Twin Cities, so I might stick to Taylor Falls and Louisville Swamp areas... possibly Devil's Lake if I decide to take a short roadtrip. Duluth would be awesome to do when I come home in the for a bit in the spring.

And, again, thank you all for the information :) It really helps!

Having just returned from a Governor Dodge (Wisconsin) bouldering trip in which we had a high of 39, I can tell you that it is possible with the right clothes and a thermos. We had a blast, and if you can get the sun on you, it feels quite alright. Gov. Dodge may have better, and/or more bouldering than Devil's Lake

Quote: "Gov. Dodge may have better, and/or more bouldering than Devil's Lake"

Hmm.........

Anyway, both should be ok on a sunny windless day if there isn't snow/ice. I would NOT try to walk up the talus of the West Bluff at the Lake if it's icy. Surefire disaster.

I'll have to check out the beta on Governor Dodge and compare it to Devil's Lake... If I have enough time, I might hit both. But, unfortunately, the people that I'm suppose to be going with are super busy and making it hard on me to plan a nice 3-4 day trip.