A list of downhill skiing and snowboarding areas in and near to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Twin Cities metro area.
Ski areas in southern Minnesota usually open around mid-November, depending on the weather. Occasionally the weather has been cold enough to snow (or make snow) at the end of October, or it may be too warm until the end of November.
Even before it starts to snow, or after a winter thaw, local ski and snowboard resorts can make snow when the temperature is below freezing.
Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area
Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area is the closest to Minneapolis and St. Paul. HSSA is in Bloomington, just west of the Mall of America. It's small but it's right in the Twin Cities so it gets busy.The Ski and Snowboard area is part of the larger Hyland Lake Park Reserve, which as well as skiing and snowboarding, also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails and a Nordic ski jumping complex.
Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area
8800 Chalet Rd
Bloomington, MN 55438-1209
Telephone 763-694-7800
Buck Hill
There's skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing at this resort in Burnsville, about 30 minutes drive south from Minneapolis or St. Paul. There's little here for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but beginners and novices appreciate Buck Hill.
Buck Hill
15400 Buck Hill Rd
Burnsville, MN 55306
Telephone 952-435-7174
Afton Alps
Afton Alps is the largest and one of the better skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing area near to the Twin Cities. The resort is in Hastings, about 45 minutes southwest of St. Paul.
Afton Alps
6600 South Peller Avenue
Hastings, MN 55033
Telephone 1-800-328-1328
Welch Village
There's skiing and snowboarding at Welch Village Resort, one of the more popular with local snow sports enthusiasts. It's about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities.
Welch Village Resort
26685 County Road 7 Boulevard
Welch, MN 55089
Telephone (651) 222-7079
Wild Mountain
Wild Mountain is in Taylors Falls, on the Wisconsin border, about an hour northeast of the Twin Cities. There's skiing, snowboarding, and a separate area for snowtubing.
Wild Mountain
37200 Wild Mountain Road
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Telephone 651-465-6315
Mount Kato
In Mankato, just under two hour's drive southwest from Minneapolis, Mount Kato Ski Area has skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.
20461 Highway 66
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone 507.625.3363
Trollhaugen
Just over the state line in Wisconsin, Trollhaugen is a small resort that is most famous for it's Friday night specials, open late into the night with cheap lift tickets and live music. It's the closest local resort with a half pipe for snowboarders.
Trollhaugen
2232 100th Ave
Dresser, WI, 54009
Telephone 800-826-7166
Spirit Mountain
Near Duluth, this one is popular with the many Twin Cities residents who spend the weekend skiing or snowboarding. Spirit Mountain often has great value special offers on lessons, rentals and lift tickets.
Spirit Mountain
9500 Spirit Mountain Place
Duluth, MN 55810
Telephone 218-628-2891
Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen Mountain is the closest true ski/snowboard resort, on the north shore of Lake Superior, north of Duluth.
Lutsen Mountains
129 Ski Hill Road
Lutsen, MN 55612
Telephone 218-663-7281
