While Minneapolis itself isn’t located on a mountain, the city finds itself in a state that offers the right landscape for skiing and other outdoor activities. As little as an hours’ drive out will take you to state parks or winter resorts to help you get your snow-inspired adventure in. Minnesota has more than 2,000 miles of ski trails and an average annual snowfall of between 35-70 inches. Spectacular lake views and gorgeous mountain peaks make for an even better winter wonderland setting. Check out our list of ski resorts near Minneapolis and in the greater Minnesota area.
Wild Mountain Winter & Summer Resort
Located just an hour outside of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Wild Mountain’s convenient location makes it a popular ski and snowboard destination. Its 300-foot rise has 26 runs in 4 terrain parks with jumps, rails, quarter and half-pipes. The park supplements natural snowpack with artificial snow to ensure visitors get a top-notch experience. If you’re visiting during warmer seasons, outdoor activities like a water park with slides to beat the summer heat or even a go-kart track are on site. Choose Wild Mountain for snow activities in winter and a place to stay cool during hot summer months.
Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort
Lutsen Mountains Resort is the largest and highest ski resort in all of the Midwest. It’s located in the Superior Highlands on the north shore of Lake Superior and features four mountains. Rising above the Great Lake, spectacular views are expected while at Lutsen. With an average of 10 feet of annual snowfall, combined with snowmaking technology, its 825-foot vertical rise has over 90 runs available. There is also lodging, dining, and live music on-site, making this a comfortable yet entertaining vacation choice.
Como Park Ski Center
Minnesota’s Mount Como is less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis, making it convenient to get to. The Como Park Ski Center is known to cater to beginners, where you will find snowboard and ski lessons for all ages and experience levels. Anyone can learn to take advantage of its 150-foot vertical drop and more than 5,000 cross country trails. Contact the on-site school if you’re just starting out or if you want to learn some more advanced techniques.
Hyland Hills Ski Area
The 1,000-acre park reserve is located in Bloomington, just south of Minneapolis. Downhill skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a mix of natural and artificial snow to maintain top slope visibility. Hyland Hills Ski Area has a vertical rise of 175 feet and a summit of 1,025 feet, 9 trails, and 9 lifts. There is a wide range of winter ski activities available and is also open in the off-season for activities such as hiking. It has an outdoor cinema, car shows, and live music too. Upgrades on the ski area’s chalet doubled its size and added ski and board rentals, a restaurant and space for private events.
Buck Hill Ski Resort
Those looking for a cozier option should look no further than Buck Hill Ski Resort and snowboard area in Burnsville. The resort uses a mixture of artificial and real snow to maintain its slope. Lighted night skiing and year-round activities make this one of the more intimate resorts around. The resort features 16 trails, three chairlifts, multiple surface tows, and an impressive 300-foot vertical drop. Visit in the summertime for some tubing fun or mountain bike racing.
