
Best Ski Resorts for Every Level in Minneapolis, United States
1. Afton Alps
Family-friendly resort offering a variety of beginner and intermediate trails. It also has night skiing options.
- Beginner-Friendly: Ideal for beginners with gentle slopes and a dedicated learning area.
- Night Skiing: One of the few resorts in Minnesota offering night skiing opportunities.
- Convenient Location: Located near Minneapolis, providing easy access for city dwellers.
2. Hyland Ski Area
Ideal for beginners with its short and gentle slopes. Also offers cross-country skiing trails.
- Short Slopes: Offers shorter hills, perfect for beginners to learn.
- Cross-Country Trails: Has a network of cross-country skiing trails for those seeking a different experience.
- Close to Minneapolis: Located just south of the city, making it easily accessible.
3. Welch Village
A smaller resort suitable for beginners and intermediates. Known for its scenic views and terrain parks.
- Scenic Views: Offers beautiful, panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
- Terrain Parks: Features terrain parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.
- Close to Minneapolis: Located within an hour's drive from the city, providing ease of access.
4. Lutsen Mountains
A large resort offering a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails. It also has stunning views of Lake Superior.
- Variety of Trails: Provides a diverse range of trails suitable for all levels.
- Lake Superior Views: Offers breathtaking views of Lake Superior from its highest peaks.
- Distant Location: Located on the North Shore, it's a bit further but offers a unique, remote skiing experience.
5. Spirit Mountain
A family-friendly resort with a mix of beginner and intermediate trails. It also offers tubing hill and snowshoe rentals.
- Family-Friendly: Ideal for families with its variety of trails suitable for all ages.
- Tubing Hill: Has a tubing hill for fun, snowy slides.
- Snowshoe Rentals: Rentals available for those who prefer snowshoeing to skiing or snowboarding.
6. GIve'r Snowshoes
Not a resort but a guided snowshoe tour company offering tours for all levels in the Minneapolis area.
- Guided Tours: Provides guided tours, perfect for beginners who need expert instruction.
- Variety of Locations: Offers snowshoe tours at various locations around the Minneapolis area.
- Expert Instruction: Instructors provide valuable insights about the local wildlife, geology, and history.
7. Winter Park at Elm Creek
City-run cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails located within a park near Minneapolis.
- City-Run Facility: Managed by the city, providing well-maintained trails.
- Within a Park: Located within Elm Creek Park Reserve, offering additional recreational opportunities.
- Close to Minneapolis: Conveniently located near the city for easy access.
8. Buck Hill
Small resort suitable for beginners and intermediates. Known for its terrain parks and snow tubing hill.
- Terrain Parks: Features terrain parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.
- Snow Tubing Hill: Offers a fun, family-friendly snow tubing hill.
- Close to Minneapolis: Located near the city, providing easy access for city dwellers.
9. Trollhaugen Ski Area
A smaller resort offering a mix of beginner and intermediate trails. It also has a terrain park and snow tubing hill.
- Scenic Views: Offers beautiful, scenic views of the surrounding area.
- Terrain Park: Features a terrain park for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.
- Snow Tubing Hill: Has a snow tubing hill for fun, winter slides.
10. Meadow Trails Ski Area
A small resort suitable for beginners with gentle slopes. It also offers snowshoe rentals.
- Gentle Slopes: Ideal for beginners with its easy, gentle slopes.
- Snowshoe Rentals: Rentals available for those who prefer snowshoeing to skiing or snowboarding.
- Close to Minneapolis: Located near the city, providing easy access for city dwellers.
11. Gaylord Nordic Center
City-run cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails located within a park near Minneapolis.
- City-Run Facility: Managed by the city, providing well-maintained trails.
- Within a Park: Located within Theodore Wirth Regional Park, offering additional recreational opportunities.
- Close to Minneapolis: Conveniently located near the city for easy access.
12. Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trail System
Not a ski resort but a mountain bike trail system converted into cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in winter.
- Converted Trail System: Formerly a mountain bike trail, it now offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.
- Remote Location: Located in a remote area, offering a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.
- Variety of Trails: Provides a diverse range of trails suitable for all levels.
13. Tamarack Nature Center
City-run cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails located within a nature center near Minneapolis.
- City-Run Facility: Managed by the city, providing well-maintained trails.
- Within a Nature Center: Located within a nature center, offering opportunities to learn about local flora and fauna.
- Close to Minneapolis: Conveniently located near the city for easy access.
14. Theodore Wirth Regional Park
City-run park offering cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. It also has a sledding hill.
- City-Run Facility: Managed by the city, providing well-maintained trails.
- Sledding Hill: Has a sledding hill for winter fun.
- Close to Minneapolis: Conveniently located near the city for easy access.
15. Loppet Foundation
Not a resort but an organization offering guided ski and snowshoe tours around Minneapolis area.
- Guided Tours: Provides guided tours, perfect for beginners who need expert instruction.
- Variety of Locations: Offers tours at various locations around the Minneapolis area.
- Expert Instruction: Instructors provide valuable insights about the local wildlife, geology, and history.