Best Ski Resorts for Every Level in Minneapolis, United States

Minneapolis, United States, Minneapolis, Activity-Based Travel Pages, Best Ski Resorts for Every Level

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.