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Potatoes Four Ways

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Oven Roasted Red Potatoes Over Herby Yogurt

Photo:Danielle Kartes, Idaho Potato Commission

Potatoes are a highlight of many meals, and certainly a big player at holiday tables throughout the year. While we often have traditional ways we like to prepare them, it’s easy to mix things up with recipe variations that are likely to be devoured by your family and friends. It’s amazing how many ways there are to prepare tasty taters! Here are four ideas to help you add a twist to the table this weekend or for any dinner ahead, courtesy of the Idaho Potato Commission. Plus, they are served up with some fun facts and tips.

Naturally Nutritious

Not only are potatoes comforting and delicious, but they are also naturally free of gluten, fat, and cholesterol and a good source of complex carbohydrates, while loaded with nutrients including vitamins B6 and C, and more potassium than the average banana.

Why is a potato called a “spud”?

A sharp, narrow spade known as a spud was used to dig up large rooted plants, especially potatoes, and around the mid-19th century, it’s said that the word caught on as a slang term for potatoes.

Potato Fun Facts and Tips

  • 13 billion pounds of Idaho potatoes are harvested every year.
  • The average American eats approximately 111 pounds of potatoes each year!
  • There is no harm in eating potatoes raw, however, you might find them a little harder to digest than when cooked.
  • Be gentle: Potatoes can bruise as easily as a banana or apple. If it develops black spots, just trim them away before cooking.
  • Storing spuds: Store potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. They’ll keep about a week at room temperature and several weeks at 45 to 50°F. Refrigerator temperatures are too cold, which converts the starch into sugar, resulting in a sweet taste. Extra sugar also causes them to darken prematurely while frying. Dampness can cause decay, so do not wash before storing.

Oven Roasted Red Potatoes Over Herby Yogurt

Makes 8 servings | Recipe by Danielle Kartes, courtesy Idaho Potato Commission

Roasted potatoes are the perfect, simple side dish. Here, they are dressed up with an herby yogurt sauce, and can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

8 medium Idaho red potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ teaspoon aleppo pepper (or mix paprika with cayenne, to taste)

For the Herby Yogurt
1½ cups Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup fresh dill
1 bunch scallions
½ cup cilantro
Pinch of chili flakes
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the potatoes into quarters, then place in a bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and aleppo pepper.
  2. Pour the potatoes out onto the lined baking sheet and roast 30 to 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  3. Halfway through cooking, flip the potatoes for even browning and place back in the oven to finish.
  4. While the potatoes roast, make the yogurt sauce by placing all the ingredients into the work bowl of a food processor and pulse until you reach your desired consistency. It should be smooth.
  5. When the potatoes are tender, spoon the yogurt into a serving platter, then pour the hot potatoes over top. Garnish with extra dill and cilantro.
Basic Hasselback Idaho Potatoes

Photo: Lisa Lin, Idaho Potato Commission

Basic Hasselback Idaho Potatoes

Makes 4 servings | Recipe by Lisa Lin, courtesy Idaho Potato Commission

For just a little more effort than a plain baked potato, you can make these showy potatoes. They are easy to make and encompass two favorite textures—crispy edges like your favorite french fries with a creamy center reminiscent of mashed.

4 large Idaho russet potatoes
Lemon juice
4 tablespoons oil or butter
Fresh rosemary
1 large garlic clove, sliced
Salt and pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

  1. Heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Prepare a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice in it.
  3. Slice off the bottom of the potatoes to make them steadier for cutting.
  4. Place potato between two chopsticks. Cut slits ¼-inch apart using the chopsticks as a guide to keep from cutting all the way through. The slices should stay connected at the bottom.
  5. Carefully fan out the sliced pieces without breaking them apart. Place the cut potato in the prepared bowl of water while you cut the remaining potatoes.
  6. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a couple of sprigs of rosemary, the sliced garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let sit a few minutes to season the butter.
  7. Remove potatoes from water and dry thoroughly. Place on a baking sheet.
  8. Brush potatoes with some of the melted butter.
  9. Bake for 1 hour. Halfway through cooking, the potatoes will start to fan out. When this happens, brush with some more of the melted butter.
  10. Remove from the oven. Brush with remaining butter, sprinkle with salt and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Loaded Cheesy Garlic Homestyle Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Kita Roberts, Idaho Potato Commission

Loaded Cheesy Garlic Homestyle Mashed Potatoes

Makes 10 servings | Recipe by Kita Roberts, courtesy Idaho Potato Commission

These creamy cheesy mashed potatoes are quick to make and amazing when served fresh and hot; the perfect base for supper.

5 pounds russet Idaho potatoes, washed, peeled, and cubed into even 1-inch portions
¾ cup cream
¼ cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
6 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste

  1. Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with water.
  2. Bring to a boil and cook 12 to 17 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender.
  3. Drain the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl.
  4. Mash the potatoes by hand, or with a ricer, and whisk in the cream, sour cream, butter, grated cheese, and garlic.
  5. Mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
  6. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Crispy Cheesy Potato Cakes

Photo: Danielle Kartes, Idaho Potato Commission

Crispy Cheesy Potato Cakes

Makes 8 large or 16 medium potato cakes | Recipe by Danielle Kartes, courtesy Idaho Potato Commission

Do something fun with leftover potatoes—or make a fresh batch. This recipe for a crispy, cheesy, potato cake that includes bacon serves as a great side dish, snack, or main course. The sauce is delicious, too.

3 cups leftover mashed Idaho potatoes
3-4 slices bacon, diced and cooked
¼ cup sliced green onions
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
2-3 tablespoons oil

For the Dipping Sauce
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream
¼ cup green onions, chopped
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped

  1. Mix the mashed potatoes, bacon, green onions, cheese, dill, and salt and pepper together.
  2. Form into 8 equal portions, then pat each into a round disc.
  3. One at a time, set each cake gently into the beaten egg wash, then press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, and set on a plate.
  4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, fry 4 cakes at a time. Flip once, and fry until golden. Repeat with each cake.
  5. To make the dipping sauce, mix the salsa ingredients. Dip the hot potato cakes into the sauce and serve.
Leftover Potato Muffins

PHOTO: ANUSHREE SHETTY, IDAHO POTATO COMMISSION

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Love Your Leftovers: Mashed Potatoes 5 Ways

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Penchant Poets: Bringing Power to Poetry for Decades

Penchant co-founders Karen Herseth Wee and Riki Kölbl Nelson with the City of Northfield Penchant Day Proclamation.

Editor’s note: As part of Women’s History Month, we invited writer and poet Susan Thurston to highlight an organization she is a member of, the Penchant Poets.

Not even a pandemic stopped the Penchant Poets from honing their work and supporting each other as creatives as they have for nearly 60 years.

Karen Herseth Wee and Riki Kölbl Nelson met in 1967, wives of new St. Olaf College faculty in Northfield. Northfield Women Poets was born from their passion for writing poetry and craving for connection. They set a capacity of around a dozen and crafted a manifesto to be signed by members upon acceptance. Poets met weekly in each other’s homes (monthly during summer) to critique poems. Dues defrayed costs of travel to readings or publication. During “planning potlucks,” members set hosting schedules. When they changed their collective’s name to Penchant, they were an established force in poetry.

“We often retreat at my family’s lake cabin,” says Herseth Wee. “From the first cup of coffee to the last sip of a nightcap, we work from dozens of prompts, discuss articles about craft, and gain inspiration by reading aloud poetry by the likes of Carolyn Forche or Jericho Brown.”

“Drafts cover the table, and these amazing women—pens poised—focus on each other’s work. It was—is—critical to my journey as a writer and woman. When my now-adult-children were babies, I’d bring them to meetings, where they’d be passed around the table like our poems,” says Susan Thurston, a member since the 1980s. “With COVID-19, we just kept meeting virtually.”

Their diversity is deeper than what is visible; none were born in Northfield, ages range by decades, and family roles vary. Members have bolstered each other through broken relationships, job changes, financial crises, and the deaths of parents, children, and each other. They give readings, participate in panels and teach. Acclaimed by peers and professional associations, most also create other art.

The Black Hat Press, once managed by Penchant member Beverly Voldseth and now by her granddaughter Samantha McDowell, will issue its fifth anthology, “What Wakes Her in the Night.”

All members are published poets. Florence Chard Dacey has published four poetry collections: “The Swoon,” “The Necklace,” “Maynard Went This Way,” and “Rock Worn by Water.” She has received several Artist Career Grants, a Loft-McKnight Award, and a Pablo Neruda Poetry Prize.

Mary Moore Easter’s collection “The Body of the World” was a finalist for the 2018 Minnesota Book Award in Poetry. A Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and Cave Canem Fellow, she founded and directed the dance program at Carleton College. Her work “Free Papers” was awarded Minnesota State Arts Board support for research and performance preparation.

Toni Easterson regularly wrote op-eds for the Hartford Courant. Having had her poems published in many different books and collections, she has taught, tutored and mentored many students, and as an acclaimed textile artist, she has taught many more to sew and knit. Two of her poems grace Northfield sidewalks.

Andrea Een is a poet, musician, and professor of music emerita at St. Olaf College. The Minnesota State Arts Board named her a Master Folk Artist; she has composed over 20 marches, dances, and tunes for Hardanger fiddle. The Norwegian government awarded her the St. Olaf Medal for supporting Norwegian folk music in the United States.

Marie Vogl Gery’s poetry is included in all of the group’s anthologies: “A Rich Salt Place,” “Absorb the Colors,” “Tremors Vibrations Enough to Rearrange the World,” and “Penchant.” She participated in the The Loft Mentor Series, was awarded a Minnesota Arts Board Grant and an Association of Art Education fellowship.

Sigi Leonhard is the author of “Stimmen.” With poetry published extensively, her play “Truth Serum” received a staged reading at the Minneapolis Playwrights Center in 2018. A professor at Carleton College she has published on Goethe, Christa Wolf, Ingeborg Bachmann, Monika Maron and East German film.

JoAnne Makela has published in the journals Water Stone Review, RagMag, and Poetry Motel, and the juried photography/poetry collaboration “Open to Interpretation: Water’s Edge,” her chapbook “Sidedoor,” and the anthology “Penchant.” A former board member of The Loft, she specializes in writing about the arts and creates content for educational publishing.

Jane Taylor McDonnell is the author of “News From the Border,” which won the Minnesota Nonfiction Book Award and was translated into German, Italian, and Portuguese; “Living to Tell the Tale: A Guide to Writing Memoir,” and “A Bone in the Throat.” She has taught writing classes at Carleton College.

Riki Kölbl Nelson’s credits include “The Fall Heart” and the bilingual collection “Borders/Grenzen.” She co-chaired the Song and Poetry Conference in New York sponsored by Alice Parker. She most recently exhibited her art as one of seven founding artists at the Northfield Arts Guild.

Tracy Rittmueller is executive co-director of Lyricality, which strives to bring transformation to the spaces where she practices by offering beauty and hope through artistic expression. Drawing from her life experiences and the diverse cultures of her communities, she collaborates to create environments that foster connection, healing and empowerment.

Karen Sandberg has studied with Jericho Brown, Joan Kane, Deborah Keenan, and Thomas R. Smith. She has published in Main Street Rag, South Dakota Review, Vita Brevis, Freshwater Journal, and Penchant. Finishing Line Press has published her debut poetry collection, “Dreams of the Floating House.”

Susan Thurston’s credits include the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Los Angeles Review, The Writer’s Almanac, Minnesota Monthly; several anthologies; and the chapbook “Wild Bone Season.” A Pushcart nominee, her novel “Sister of Grendel” (Calumet Editions) was awarded the Catalyst Story Institute Literary Award and a Midwest Book Award for best fantasy novel.

Karen Herseth Wee authored “The Book of Hearts,” a finalist for the 1994 Minnesota Book Award; the chapbook “Before Language”; and “Baksheesh: A Journey,” a memoir about a 5-month international study trip with 30 St. Olaf College students. Some of her poems are in “The Anthology of New American Verse” and “The Heart of All That Is: Reflections on Home.”

The City of Northfield declared April 20, 2023, Penchant Poet Day. The independent bookstore Content was crammed with Penchant fans for a celebratory reading featuring almost all current Penchant members: (from left) Florence Chard Dacey, JoAnne Makela, Andrea Een, Tracy Rittmueller, Karen Sandberg, Riki Kölbl Nelson, Susan Thurston, Sigi Leonhard, Jane Taylor McDonnell, and Karen Herseth Wee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Bets: March 25-31

Craft Show

What: “Firsthand: Contemporary Craft in Context”
When:
March 26–Aug. 3
Where: Goldstein Gallery, McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul

The University of Minnesota’s Goldstein Gallery of Design, which is a research center in the U’s College of Design and the only design museum in the Upper Midwest, opens this new exhibit featuring more than 75 items showcasing leather shoes, woolen knitwear, thrown pottery, ceramic tiles, and youth-built boats.

Puppet Show

What: “Phantom Loss”
When: 
March 28-April 7
Where: The Avalon Theater, 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) opens its next stage performance, “Phantom Loss,” a tabletop puppet show created by local artist Oanh Vu. Vu describes the show as a tragicomedy that weaves Vietnamese mythology and American pop culture to explore the impact of criminalized immigration and intergenerational trauma.

Easter Egg Hunts

What: Easter Service Egg Hunts
When:
March 30-31
Where: Renovation Church, 12390 Frazier St. NE, Blaine

Renovation Church in Blaine is hosting the largest Easter egg hunt in the Twin Cities with 75,000 eggs for kids up to age 11. There are seven egg hunts planned after each of the church’s seven Easter services. There will be 75,000 eggs filled with candy, stickers, and prizes from donors like Raising Cane’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Cold Stone, Texas Roadhouse, Culver’s, and more hidden in some of the eggs.

Switch Into Drive

What: The Twin Cities Auto Show
When:
March 30-April 7
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis

The 51st Annual Twin Cities Auto, the largest consumer show in the Upper Midwest, rolls into Minneapolis this week with hundreds of models to compare, an extensive focus on electric vehicles, a celebrity appearance by Constance Nunes of Netflix’s “Car Master: Rust to Riches,” and more.

ONGOING

Civil Rights Moment

What: ‘A Unique Assignment’
When: Through April 7
Where: History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul

In this theater production, two men—Henry Gallagher, white, and James Meredith, Black—are thrust into each other’s lives in the aftermath of the Ole Miss Riot. Explore a milestone moment in Civil Rights history through the men’s own words and perspectives on their shared experience.

Spring Has Sprung

What: Into the Deep floral experience
When:
Through April 7
Where: Galleria Shopping Center, 69th Street and France Avenue, Edina

For the fifth year in a row, Galleria and Bachmans create an early spring surprise with a free floral installation. Open during mall hours, Into the Deep provides an  immersive experience with sea-inspired floral sights and creative floor-to-ceiling installations.

 

Autumn Ness in “Babble Lab”

Glen Stubbe Photography

Science Scene

What: “Babble Lab”
When: Through April 14
Where: Cargill Stage at Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis

When an experiment unexpectedly goes awry, a concoction of sneaky, sprightly letters takes over a weird science lab. Watch them jump into jars, spring from drawers, bounce around the room, and play hide-and-seek as a scientist makes her findings. Created with early learners in mind.

 

“Beautiful”

Dan Norman

One Fine Day

When: Now open
Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen
The true story of singer Carole King follows her life from teen to Grammy-winning songwriter, best known for her album “Tapestry.”

 

 

Total Solar Eclipse on April 8: Travel and Viewing Tips

By now, you’ve likely heard one of the biggest astronomical events of the decade will happen across North America on Monday, April 8. A total solar eclipse‘s path of totality, where the moon passes between the Earth and sun, almost completely blocking the sun for a short period of time, is expected to start in the South Pacific Ocean and pass in a northeastern direction across Mexico to eastern Canada.

The total solar eclipse path in the United States is a narrow area but includes heavily populated cities including Dallas, Texas, Indianapolis, Indiana, Columbus, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. A partial eclipse is expected to be visible in 48 states. Those states will see some of the action, but the moon’s shadow will not fully turn daylight dark like it does during a full solar eclipse.

 

An estimated lucky 32 million people live within the path of totality, which passes over 15 states. Officials are predicting another 1 million to 3.7 million Americans will travel that day to the path of totality to witness the event. Up to 1 million people are expected to visit Texas alone because of the state’s likelihood for clear skies and the longest duration of the event (4 minutes and 26 seconds) that day.

The last time a total solar eclipse passed over the United States—along a completely different track hitting different areas of the U.S.—was Aug. 21, 2017. My family and I chased that event, driving from our Minnesota home to a rural spot near Lusk, Wyoming, redirecting a few different times over the previous 48 hours to peep the incredible event. I count the experience as one of my favorite family travel experiences ever. The next U.S. total solar eclipse won’t happen until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

I get very animated when I describe what we saw at the event. I wasn’t completely prepared for how quiet the Earth becomes, how the temperature drops about 10 degrees almost immediately, how dark the sky turns seemingly so quickly and then brightens again minutes later. And how an hours-long traffic jam on the rural roads of Wyoming still couldn’t dampen my awe. It’s shiver-inducing and a privilege to experience. With that in mind, I offer these tips for anyone wondering if it’s worth it to attempt to see this year’s event. I whole-heartedly encourage it. We are planning to travel again this year, and invite readers to follow along.

Amy Nelson

The total solar eclipse in 2017 in Wyoming.

BE FLEXIBLE

Last time, we planned to drive to Missouri but changed our course when it looked like that state may have heavy cloud cover. We headed west instead, getting a hotel room last-minute in Rapid City, South Dakota, the night before. This year, we have a reservation in Mark Twain National Forest for three nights and will pull our teardrop camper. Lots of hotels, AirBnbs, and campsites within the path of totality are already sold out, but some last-minute deals may pop up. My brother and his family live in the totality path in Ohio and invited us there, but we’re hoping the drive to Missouri is quicker and a better chance for clear skies. (We’re also keeping our options open, and may end up at my family’s doorstep Monday morning after all. The local school district has canceled classes for the day.)

BE PREPARED

Traffic is expected to be heavy the weekend before and the afternoon after the eclipse everywhere within the path of totality. More travelers like us may keep driving south based on the weather and cloud cover. We hope to settle into our Missouri campsite by Sunday and remain there through Monday evening. We obviously will need to be stocked up with food and extra gasoline in case the wait to head back home is longer than expected. The small gas station we stopped at in Wyoming six years ago ran out of gas at it pumps and cash out of the town’s only ATM. The line to purchase snacks and water was about 45 minutes as well. (In a small-world coincidence, we saw some Minnesota friends, Nate and Renee, as we passed through town that day.)

We’ll also have our viewing glasses from 2017, including special binoculars. Do NOT attempt to watch the event (i.e. look directly at the sun) without eye protection. NASA advises viewers to to wear glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. This is very important because not using the proper protection can mean permanent eye damage.

You’ll also want to know exactly when the totality is expected in your location because it’s quick and you don’t want to miss it. Go outside and see the wonder in real life. If you can’t travel to the path of totality, try to view the partial eclipse where you are. In Minnesota, the maximum coverage is expected about 1 p.m. and with a nearly 80 percent magnitude in some locations. Even with partial viewings, make sure to wear eye protection! Several Minnesota organizations are planning local viewing events, too.

Viewing the eclipse in 2017.

Amy Nelson

A Guide to Minnesota’s Top Ski Areas

Lutsen Resort
Lutsen Resort

Provided

It has been a halting start to winter, but Minnesotans are ready to embrace the frosty fun of the season. Whether you’re teaching your kids to ski or looking forward to spending more time on the slopes in your retirement years, there are plenty of ways to stay active in the wintertime, thanks to Minnesota’s many ski areas. While we don’t have mountains, Minnesota’s ski areas offer plenty of runs for beginner and experienced downhill skiers and snowboarders, plus trails for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Plus, you can head to the cozy chalets for post-Dry January enjoyment après ski. Minnesota’s most popular ski areas offer different experiences, depending on your goals for your ski excursion. Here is an overview of what makes each of these places unique.

Best Destination Experience: Lutsen Mountains Ski Area & Resort

Minnesota is home to the largest and highest alpine ski area in the Midwest, Lutsen Mountains Ski Area & Resort. Located two hours north of Duluth along the North Shore, Lutsen Mountains’ 95 runs (62 of which are usually groomed), four chairlifts, and one gondola are nestled within the Sawtooth Mountains, which rise out of the Superior National Forest and overlook Lake Superior. Lutsen Mountains’ acreage covers four of these mountains, where guests can find runs for a variety of skill levels, including 65 runs for tree-skiing enthusiasts.

This is the closest experience to upscale “out West” skiing in the state, in terms of size, difficulty of terrain, and quality of lodging. Guests can warm up and dine at the base of the mountains in the Scandinavian Chalet or ride up the chairlift and grab lunch at the Summit Chalet, where they can also enjoy panoramic views of the world’s largest freshwater lake. There are plenty of lodging options ranging from rustic resorts—like Minnesota’s oldest resort, Lutsen Lodge—to budget-friendly Airbnbs. Several nearby accommodations offer ski and stay packages or shuttle options to the Lutsen Mountains base area for a seamless experience.

Best Beginner-Friendly Deal: Wild Mountain

Interested in learning to ski but not sure where to start? There are plenty of fantastic ski lesson programs in Minnesota, but Wild Mountain takes the cake when it comes to bang for your buck. For only $164, beginner skiers can get six lift tickets, six rentals, and three lessons—the perfect package for gaining confidence in a new sport.

Even if you aren’t a beginner, it’s well worth the 45-minute trip from the Twin Cities to Wild Mountain to ski and check out the newly renovated chalet. Improvements include upgrades to the chalet’s Eagles Nest Restaurant, renovated restrooms, and a new upstairs bar and lounge. Plus, guests can now prop up their boots and enjoy an après ski experience on the recently added sun deck overlooking the ski hill.

Best For Racing Enthusiasts & Ski Clubs: Buck Hill

Buck Hill, located in Burnsville, Minnesota, is famous for its contributions to ski racing history. World Cup ski racers Kristina Koznick and Lindsey Vonn learned to ski and race here, and in 2006, Erich Sailer, long-time coach of the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team, was inducted into the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame. Today, you can perfect your skiing skills on Buck Hill’s 15 runs and find community through the ski area’s several racing teams, training groups, and ski clubs. These groups and clinics have options for all ages, though the majority cater to youth athletes.

After a long day, kick back in Buck ’54 Bar & Grill, which serves hearty American fare. You can also partake in trivia night on Tuesdays or hang out late on Fridays to listen to live music from a mix of up-and-coming musicians.

Best For Ski Enthusiast Families: Afton Alps

Join in on the fun at Afton Alps, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024. This ski area spans 300 acres of the scenic St. Croix River Valley and offers the grooming, hospitality, and dining options one can expect from a Vail Resorts property. Afton Alps’ variety of terrain, ranging from the Meadows Beginner Area to three terrain parks, means there is something for people of all ages and skill levels here. There’s also plenty of family-friendly programming, like free s’mores on the weekends and seven on-site restaurants and bars.

If your family does ski trips elsewhere in the country, you may want to look into a season pass with Afton Alps. Because the ski area is owned by Vail Resorts, a season pass here also works at other Epic Pass locations in Vail, Park City, Breck, Keystone, and many other destination ski resorts.

Best Value: Spirit Mountain

If you’re looking for a solid balance between cost, accessibility and quality of runs, head up to Spirit Mountain. It’s great for a daytrip from the Twin Cities if you’re willing to hit the road early, or you can book a stay at the Mountain Villas and add an extra day or two in Duluth. Once you’re there, downhill skiers and snowboarders can explore beautifully groomed runs overlooking Lake Superior, plus hone their skills at one of the biggest and best terrain parks in the Midwest. There are three on-site dining options—Mountain Top Café, Moosehead Saloon, Riverside Bar and Grill—or you can take advantage of the proximity to Duluth and spend an evening at one of the city’s fantastic restaurants.

Best For After-Work/School Skiing: Hyland Hills Ski Area

Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington is great for hitting the slopes after work or after school with affordable half-day prices starting at 3 p.m. With 12 runs and three lifts, it’s on the smaller side, but there’s still plenty of space, with activities to enjoy at all skill levels. Hyland Hills is part of Three Rivers Park District, which also oversees an adjacent 5K Nordic ski loop at Hyland Lake Park Reserve and snow tubing at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area in Maple Grove. Also next to Hyland Hills is the home of the Minneapolis Ski Jumping Club, an organization that has been training ski jumpers since 1926. Sign up for lessons with the group or check the online schedule to spectate at the Bush Lake Ski Jumps.

Best Hidden Gem: Giants Ridge

So, this one may not be hidden exactly, but it’s definitely underappreciated for how special it is. Located on the Mesabi Iron Range near Biwabik, Giants Ridge is well worth a trip up north. It’s a four-season destination (come back in the summer for golf and mountain biking), and in the wintertime, guests can enjoy Giants Ridge’s 35 ski runs, five lifts, two terrain parks, and 63 kilometers of Nordic ski trails that once served as a training site for the U.S. Ski Team. New this year is the Little Giants program, where small groups of 3- to 4-year-olds can begin familiarizing themselves with ski equipment and the ski experience under the guidance of PSIA-C trained staff.

Make a family weekend out of it and book a stay on-site at the Lodge, the Villas, or nearby at the charming Greengate Guest Houses. After skiing, dine on steaks and handhelds at Burnt Onion Kitchen & Brews in the Main Chalet or Minnesota-style smokehouse barbecue at Neighbors BBQ in the Lodge.

ALSO CONSIDER:

  • In Coleraine, Itasca is a small ski area with a storied history. It’s been in operation for over 100 years and is well-known for its ski jumping and Nordic skiing community. Plus, it recently hosted the World Junior & Youth Championship Biathlon Trials.
  • Located equidistant between Rochester and the Twin Cities, Welch Village is a great place to ski for those located in southern or central Minnesota. For adults new to ski racing, check out their Friday night NASTAR races to partake in the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world.
  • Mount Kato Ski Area is only 1 mile south of Mankato and offers 19 trails for skiing and snowboarding, plus snow tubing. Ladies, take advantage of the Snow Friends group on Tuesday nights, which combines skiing and wine tasting.
  • In Kimball, Powder Ridge has 16 runs for skiers and snowboarders, three lifts, and a snow tubing area. Come in the evenings for Lazer Light Tubing!

5 Local Product Picks for Spring

Sol Soils
Sol Soils

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1. Sol Soils

Founders Travis Thein and John Porter have crafted an award-winning line of potting mixes and decorative soil toppers. These plant enthusiasts know that better soil makes for healthier, happier plants. Sol Soils has worked to perfect a gritty mixture that provides an ideal soil system for plant success. Toppers in a variety of finishes, $10, solsoils.com

Golden Hour Glass Co.
Golden Hour Glass Co.

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2. Golden Hour Glass Co.

As a working photographer turned stained-glass artist, Meredith Baird knows all about the golden hour when the light is at its best. Her glass goods and suncatchers are inspired by blossoms, birds, and the dance of light to reflect beauty on the other side of the glass. Free Bird suncatcher, $120, goldenhourglass.co 

Lulu + Co.
Lulu + Co.

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3. Lulu + Co

Mandy Stringer elevates simple mud and water to gilded goodness. Her business is split between ceramic goods and graphic design, and her signature aesthetic marries the two, pairing bold graphics with handcrafted vessels. Two cornerstones of her pottery are sustainability and multipurpose use. Plate with test tubes, $72, luluandcomsp.com 

The Clean Nest
The Clean Nest

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4. The Clean Nest

When professional house-cleaning sisters Katie Lother and Angela Ducklinsky noticed frequent headaches from the cleaning solutions they were using, they developed The Clean Nest, a line of biodegradable cleaning formulas that combine the power of essential oils in sustainable packaging. All-purpose cleaner, $15, thecleannest.com

Sharab Shrubs
Sharab Shrubs

Provided

5. Sharab Shrubs

Alex Zweber has taken his artisanal, vinegar-based shrub cocktail mixers to the next level with a line of ready-to-drink beverages named Shrub n’ Bub. Masterfully blended with all the nuances of the original bottled concentrate shrubs, these canned refreshers have the added effervescence of light seltzer water. Four packs start at $15, sharabshrubs.com