Over the course of nine years in Minnesota, defenseman Ryan Suter played 656 regular-season games in a Wild uniform. Among blueliners who played here, he holds the franchise record for games with three assists. He did it it five times.

On Thursday, Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes set up three of Minnesota’s four goals, including the overtime winner as they beat Detroit 4-3. It was the fourth time Hughes has recorded a trio of assists in a game for the Wild.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, left, skates with the puck as Detroit Red Wings left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

And he has been here for roughly five weeks.

By now, every Wild fan and every opponent scouting Minnesota has seen how it works: Hughes enters the offensive zone with the puck, often starting up the side wall, and draws the attention of an opposing forward. That’s when Hughes stops abruptly, spins away from the challenger while still solidly in possession of the puck and heads back toward the blue line to find either open ice or a teammate who is in position to shoot.

Everybody knows it’s coming, and nobody has, as of yet, found a way to stop it.

“Everyone see this,” said Kirill Kaprizov, the beneficiary of Hughes’ assists on both of the Russian’s goals versus Detroit. “He’s a great skater and helps so much everywhere, especially when we have (the) puck and he move around. Start attack first, go on offense; give you more space and stuff like that.”

Thursday night was Hughes’ 20th game in Minnesota since the mid-December blockbuster trade that brought him east from Vancouver. At his current pace, he will own the franchise mark for three-assist games before he heads to Italy to play for Team USA in the Milan Cortina Olympics next month.

For Hughes, the patented spin move is a result of natural talent and relentless practice, a rare ability to curl away from danger while maintaining possession. It is a high-risk, high-reward move, as losing the puck could spring an opponent on a breakaway. Those moments are rare.

“I feel like that’s kind of my MO a little bit. It’s things I work on in the summer, and it’s a work in progress,” Hughes said Thursday, after the Wild won at home for the first time in more than a month. “This is my seventh year in the league, so it’s obviously, you know, (I) continue to get better and better.”

Amid the normal pregame crush of Canadian media when the Wild visited Toronto earlier in the week, a reporter in the pregame scrum asked Hughes about his transition to a new team, new city and a new country. As has been his mantra in Minnesota since arriving and scoring a goal in a 6-2 home win over Boston on Dec. 14, Hughes hinted that there is even better stuff coming as he develops more and more familiarity with with defensive partner Brock Faber, and forwards like Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello.

“You just don’t know anyone; like if you’re somewhere and you have a new job. If you’re working for a company for seven years and then you go to a new company, you don’t know anyone,” Hughes said. “I feel like I’m getting to my game now.”

Hughes also admitted that Minnesota was a team he didn’t like playing against during his time with the Canucks due to Minnesota’s coaching, skill, and “hard” game. For his new teammates, not having to try and foil Hughes’ spin moves is just another benefit of having the defenseman wearing green and red now.

“For other forwards, it’s probably tough,” Kaprizov said, after a 20-game sample watching myriad opponents challenge Hughes and fail. “Yeah, it’s probably tough. I don’t remember if he did against me like that, but it looks tough.”

With Hughes in the lineup, the Wild are 11-5-4, and after Thursday’s win were in a three-way tie with the Red Wings and Hurricanes for the second-most points in the NHL (67).

Acquiring Hughes wasn’t cheap; general manager Bill Guerin sent the Canucks forward Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeem Buium and a first-round pick in this summer’s draft.

So far, it’s been a bargain.

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Hundreds of businesses across the Twin Cities were closed Friday morning as thousands of Minnesotans were expected to participate in a daylong economic blackout to protest the federal immigration crackdown that has roiled their state.

Billed as “A Day of Truth and Freedom,” the event was organized by local faith, labor and community groups who called on residents to abstain from work, school and shopping. Dozens of demonstrations and prayer vigils were scheduled across the metro, with an afternoon rally at Target Center in Minneapolis serving as the centerpiece to the day’s events.

Organizers say more than 700 businesses pledged to close for the day, including dozens in greater Minnesota.

“We’re seeing a lot more participation than I think we expected,” said Lisa Erbes, co-leader of Indivisible Twin Cities. “It really has been amazing to see how many businesses — small businesses, medium-sized businesses — are joining us. It shows you how people all across the Twin Cities and the state feel about this.”

The shutdown got a little help from the weather, with sub-zero temperatures prompting many Twin Cities school districts across to cancel classes and forcing St. Paul’s Winter Carnival to postpone its outdoor kick-off event.

Day of Truth and Freedom

The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have deployed more than 3,000 agents to Minnesota, where their tactics have been condemned by local political leaders, including St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.

Protests against the crackdown escalated in the wake of the Jan. 7 shooting death of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

Organizers of the Day of Truth and Freedom issued a list of four demands ahead of Friday’s protest: that ICE leave Minnesota, that Ross be “held legally accountable” for Good’s killing, that Congress halt funding for ICE and investigate the agency, and that businesses “cease economic relations with ICE and refuse ICE entry or using their property for staging grounds.”

St. Paul city council member Nelsie Yang, who represents the city’s East Side, endorsed the shutdown Thursday during a news conference of Asian community members and business owners at Ha Tien Supermarket.

Yang said federal agents have targeted Asian, Somali and Latino residents regardless of citizenship status, pointing to the arrest of a Hmong American man last week in which ICE officers marched ChongLy “Saly” Scott Thao out of his St. Paul home wearing boxer shorts and a blanket.

“ICE agents and this authoritarian Trump regime have wreaked havoc in our cities over and over,” Yang said. “They have used dehumanizing tactics, racial profiling, intimidation, and lawlessness in our cities, and we need them out.”

Erbes said organizers hope the shutdown helps keep the national spotlight on Minnesota and ICE activities in the state.

“We want all Americans to understand what’s happening here and join us in solidarity against what we see as illegal behavior by ICE,” Erbes said. “We

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need people to see first-hand just how bad it is.”

“We’re not naive in thinking that if we hold one giant protest that it will change the minds of anyone in the (Trump) administration,” she added. “It would be nice if it did, but we’re pretty realistic in our expectations.”

Three people arrested Thursday after a protest in a St. Paul church remain jailed Friday.

It’s not known when a judge will decide whether they’ll remain in federal custody at the Sherburne County jail or be released, their attorneys said Friday morning.

“We have to wait for the court. There’s no other steps procedurally other than wait for the decision on the appeal,” said James Cook, who is representing St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen and social media personality William Kelly.

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and Allen were initially granted release by federal Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko on conditions, including no contact with potential victims or witnesses in the investigation, a stay-away order from Cities Church and no travel outside Minnesota without prior approval from their probation officers.

Prosecutors, however, made a motion to stay the release for further review, saying they might be flight risks, which Micko granted following appearances at the federal courthouse in downtown St. Paul on Thursday afternoon.

“There’s no way to really predict” how long a decision will take, Cook said Friday. “I’ve been telling people, ‘We’re in uncharted territory.’ … In my point of view, they’re being held unfairly.”

On Sunday, protesters disrupted services inside Cities Church on Summit Avenue, near Snelling Avenue, in St. Paul. The acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota serves as a pastor at the church.

The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in announcing the arrests on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, wrote: “Our nation was settled and founded by people fleeing religious persecution. Religious freedom is the bedrock of this country. We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith.”

The charges filed in federal court remained under seal as of Friday morning.

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By Jen Murphy, Bloomberg News

It took until the end of December, at least, for many of the world’s best ski resorts to get properly blanketed in white stuff. Park City, Utah; Sun Valley, Idaho; Vail, Colorado; the Southern Alps : All were practically barren when Christmas vacationers descended in late 2025.

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That’s the new reality of running a ski resort — and a reason why many hotels in such places are, counterintuitively, thriving. Poor slopeside conditions mean more time to enjoy the spa or splash out on dinner with a private chef. Plus, interest in winter sports is broadening, despite the lack of actual snow: According to Snowsports Industries America, participation reached a high of 31 million participants in the 2024–25 season, with growth driven by more niche activities such as Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and sledding.

That might explain why so many ultraluxury brands, including One&Only and Rosewood, are planting their first slope-side flags this season. To that landscape you can now add reliable snow cover (thanks to recent storms) and, thankfully, a decent amount of last-minute availability.

Which is all to say: It’s not too late to plan your trip. Here’s where to go — considering not only terrain but also some sumptuous new places you can stay, plus the increasingly tempting Plan Bs you’ll find off the slopes.

Engadin Valley, Switzerland

Renowned for its world-class slopes, the Engadin Valley has also emerged as a serious arts hub over the years, drawing the annual Nomad traveling design fair (Feb. 12–15) to glamorous St. Moritz and the Engadin Art Talks series in the nearby town of Zuoz (Jan. 23–25). Now two of the art world’s biggest powerhouses, Iwan and Manuela Wirth, co-founders of influential contemporary art dealers Hauser & Wirth, have chosen the Valley for the second hotel in their Artfarm hospitality brand. (The couple also owns the Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland.)

Nestled in the village of Sils Maria, the 13-room Chesa Marchetta dates to the 16th century. Now it’s been tastefully filled with antiques, lace curtains sourced from a nearby weaving collective and — of course — an impressive art collection that includes Old Masters and modern talents. (You can even find Jean-Michel Basquiat’s signature in the guest ledger.) Skiers can hit up the Furtschellas lift for access to the slopes within a mile of the front door, or drive 20 minutes to Corvatsch and St. Moritz. From $500

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: The Engadin Valley is home to Switzerland’s largest network of Nordic trails, spanning nearly 150 miles. (These are viable even with relatively little snow.) And each year, it becomes the temporary residence for some of the world’s best chefs too. This season, Rodolfo Guzmán of Chile’s famed Boragó restaurant takes residence at Badrutt’s Palace, and Mauro Colagreco will host a series of Argentine-style, open-fire asados at the Kulm Country Club.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen’s devoted crowd will have a familiar new base this spring when White Elephant opens on West Main St. just beyond the heart of downtown but within a few minutes’ walk of big-name restaurants and a four-minute shuttle to the slopes. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because White Elephant has a pair of sceney beach resorts in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach, Florida.

The brand’s 54-room alpine sibling goes for full-on mountain elegance with Roman clay-washed walls and embossed-leather headboards. Lola 41°, the Asian fusion bistro beloved by guests at other White Elephant outposts, is sure to draw a significant après scene in Aspen, too, with its plans to serve sushi spreads atop snowboards. From $1,995

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: Jazz Aspen Snowmass christened its first permanent space, the Paul JAS Center, on Dec. 19. With 175 seats, it’s hosting supper-club-style performances that feature a diverse array of performers and elaborate multicourse meals.

Courchevel, France

The scene at Courchevel and its six interconnected villages — all part of the Three Valleys, the largest ski area in the world — famously gets glitzier the higher up you go. At the top is Courchevel 1850, known for its wide-open perfectly groomed runs, Michelin-starred dining and five-star resorts. Within that already-exclusive enclave is Le Jardin Alpin, a summit area where Aman, Cheval Blanc and Airelles run some of the most ultra-luxurious resorts in the Alps.

Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin, the ultra-luxury brand’s first ski-in/ski-out resort, adds to the mix with the area’s largest inventory of suites, all with farmhouse-inspired interiors by acclaimed French designer Tristan Auer. But the 51 accommodations here are hardly rustic: Even basic rooms are furnished with angular, midcentury furnishings, bouclé upholstery and richly veined marble vanities . From $ 2,648

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: One of the region’s oldest lifts, the Chenus gondola, has been retired after 55 years of operation — and its retro white cabins taken apart and auctioned off. In its place is a €20 million ($23 million) fleet of James Bond-worthy cabins that whisk you to the 2,240-meter summit of Chenus. Non-skiers can take the scenic ride, too, to visit the area’s four restaurants, including the see-and-be-seen Bagatelle, or admire panoramas that span the towering peak of la Grande Casse and the Vanoise ice cap.

Gstaad, Switzerland

In 2016 the Ultima brand redefined jet-set alpine style with its first over-the-top hotel, Ultima Gstaad, focused on exclusivity and intimacy with just a handful of spacious suites and residences. Fast forward nearly a decade, and its portfolio of chalets is synonymous with lavish interiors (black Saharan marble, rich velvets, pricey furs) and your-wish-is-our-command service. Now it’s taking it up a few notches.

Ultima Promenade Gstaad, originally built by the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, is an eight-suite, four-floor chalet with every imaginable bell and whistle, from a private disco and cinema to a gym and spa. Staff can meet any request, be it husky sledding atop a glacier or securing VIP tickets to the Hublot Polo Gold Cup. As for the 175,000 CHF ($218,000) weekly price to buy it all out? Divide it among 16 guests, and it works out to about $2,000 per night — similar to what you’d pay for a junior suite elsewhere on the mountain .

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: The brand’s flagship hotel in Gstaad is hosting a pop-up from London’s famed Japanese izakaya hotspot, Zuma. Expect DJ sets paired with robata-grilled skewers and intricate cocktails crafted tableside.

Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky Resort’s unofficial motto has long been “big thrills, low frills.” No longer. The resort’s ambitious, decade-long Big Sky 2025 vision plan culminates this season with the debut of the world’s fastest 10-person gondola. All the on-piste investments, which have also included the renovation of two slopeside lodges and the addition of 20 new lifts, have attracted top-tier hotel brands like Montage and One&Only.

The latter has just opened its first resort in North America, the One&Only Moonlight Basin, with 92 rooms and suites, plus freestanding cabins designed by architect Olson Kundig. A heated gondola just for guests links the resort directly with the family-friendly Madison Base area, known for its winding green and blue runs . When you’ve swooshed through enough of them — or braved the resort’s 50-degree chutes — there’s a sprawling hydrotherapy circuit at the 17,000-square-foot spa. From $2,100

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: Superstar chef Grant Achatz has been celebrating his Chicago restaurant Alinea’s 20th anniversary with pop ups in Brooklyn, Miami, Beverly Hills and Tokyo. Now he’s set up shop, temporarily, in Big Sky, with an entirely new concept called M by the Alinea Group that will run through March 31. “This will be a full departure from Alinea’s theatrical, avant-garde style,” Achatz tells Bloomberg. “We’re drawing on influences from the Rockies and Alps to create food with a refined rusticity.” Think white-birch-bark-smoked trout dressed in a carbonized grapefruit vinaigrette.

The Dolomites, Italy

The Dolomites’ most storied hotels have undergone top-to-bottom transformations ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which kick off on Feb. 4. Generating the most hype is the 51-room Aman Rosa Alpina , which recently reopened in San Cassiano after a dazzling renovation by visionary architect Jean-Michel Gathy.

The sleek makeover added a knockout spa with three pools, three 12-seat cinemas and a dedicated lounge where butlers warm your ski boots before you head to the slopes. Notably, a casual grill has replaced the formal three-Michelin-starred restaurant, but not all has changed. Hugo and Ursula Pizzinini, whose family has run the hotel for three generations, remain at the helm, and Hugo’s legendary wine cellar still boasts the best bottles in the Dolomites. From $1,800

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: Acclaimed Sardinian seafood restaurant La Scogliera recently opened a charming outpost on the outskirts of Cortina overlooking emerald-hued Lake Pianozes. Spend an afternoon snowshoeing the six-mile loop around the lake, then pop in for the restaurant’s afternoon DJ sets and a plate of housemade paccheri pasta with smoked ricotta.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

With Amangani, the area’s most legendary stay, closed for renovations this season, loyalists are booking into the five-star Retreat at Hotel Jackson instead. Opening at the end of January in a discreet location just off the bustling town square, it’s a completely new build from the family that owns the neighboring (and beloved) Hotel Jackson. It has just nine suites, all with private terraces, silvery reclaimed wood and sophisticated Western-inspired décor.

There’s also a full range of amenities, including an infinity pool and Basque steakhouse focusing on open-fire cooking. A complimentary 15-minute shuttle whisks guests to the famously steep slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the hotel maintains private lockers at the base. From $1,500

Your après-ski (or instead-of-ski) plan: Dinner with a view. The country’s only mountaintop planetarium, located at the summit of Snow King Resort, recently added a fine dining restaurant, Aurora, where guests can stargaze (and sometimes glimpse the northern lights) as they dine on fondue, wagyu tartare and other dishes.

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