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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!
