The state of Minnesota is home to 20 ski resorts spread across the state. Most of these resorts stay busy offering mountain biking and golf to visitors during the summer, but winter is big business in a state that is known for its cold weather and heavy snowfall. The bigger resorts are found in the northern part of the state, but the southern resorts also offer winter recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
Downhill Skiing
The ski resorts in south Minnesota provide a mix of runs for beginning and expert skiers, with a heavy dose of the difficult trails. At Welch Village in Cannon Falls, 35 of the resort's 60 trails are difficult or expert runs. Wild Mountain Ski and Snowboard Area in Taylors Falls has 25 runs and Afton Alps in Hastings, just outside the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has 48 trails for skiers and downhill snowboarders.
Racing
Ski racing is a big deal in south Minnesota. U.S. Olympic gold medal downhill skier Lindsey Vonn skied on the team at Buck Hill in Burnsville. The state features the Ski Challenge Series for beginning racers. It is a group of ski racing leagues that stages events at most of the resorts in Minnesota. The series is recreational in nature and young skiers as young as four years old are invited to participate. Coffee Mill in Wabasha has just eight total runs, but it hosts ski racing at the collegiate and professional levels in addition to the Ski Challenge.
Snowboarding
Another feature of Minnesota resorts in an extensive array of freestyle snowboarding venues. Welch Village has two large freestyle terrain parks. Its advanced terrain park features a 30-foot jump and its Bone Yard progressive terrain park offers you 10 different freestyle options. Powder Ridge in Kimball is another ski area that specializes in pleasing snowboarders.
Accommodations
Creative lodging options are a staple of south Minnesota ski resorts. You can stay in a regular hotel or ski lodge if you choose, but Welch Village gives you a chance to experience slope-side bunkhouses. The resort has four of them, each of which holds to 30 people who just need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow and they're good to go for the night. If you do choose the more traditional route, the rooms at the Afton House at Afton Alps have in-room Jacuzzis and fireplaces.
The chalet is a big feature at Minnesota ski resorts. Chalets can be found at different locations at these venues to provide skiers with a place to relax and grab a bite to eat or something to drink. Mt. Kato Ski Area near Mankato has a two-level chalet and there are five different chalets at Afton Alps.
Other Snow Activities
A common thread through many of south Minnesota's resorts is tubing. Catering to families and younger children, Powder Ridge has a kid's club at the base of the mountain and offers its Wild Chutes tubing park. Buck Hill and Mt. Kato also include tubing as a major part of the winter experience.
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