Ditch your warm slippers and mug of hot chocolate for a pair of skis and a plunge down the mountain at a Minnesota ski resort. Known for its particularly cold winters, Minnesota offers a variety of winter recreational activities. Although the northern part of the state generally receives the most snow, southern cities are also abundantly chilly. In fact, you don't have to look far for several ski resorts in southeast Minnesota.
Vertical Excitement
Claiming to have the "longest vertical drop south of Duluth," Coffee Mill Ski and Snowboard Resort features long slopes and beautiful views, according to the resort website. Located in the city of Wabasha, the resort features 28 acres of skiable terrain. Typically open from December to March, the resort has a summit elevation of 1,150 feet and a base elevation of 725 feet. Ski rentals, lessons and night-time skiing are all available. With an annual snowfall of just 40 inches, the resort carefully covers its slopes with artificial snow.
Horizontal Adventures
Nestled in the mountains of Welch, the Welch Village Ski and Snowboard area makes up for its lack of vertical slopes with plenty of horizontal skiable terrain. Generally open late November through March, this Minnesota ski resort offers 125 skiable acres of terrain and the capacity to move 12,000 skiers up the mountain per hour. The summit elevation is just 1,050 feet with a base elevation of 725 feet. Since the area only receives 50 inches of snow per year on average, all of the resort's slopes are covered in artificial snow.
Snowboarder's Paradise
For a newer and more modern ski resort, check out the Steeplechase Ski Area in Mazeppa. Although the ski resort offers just 30 acres of skiable terrain, it features a decent 2,600-foot run. All slopes are covered in artificial snow and alpine skiing and night skiing are available. If you prefer battling the slopes on a snowboard instead, check out the resort's terrain park. According to the Ski Resorts Guide website, "the terrain park has been widely referred to as one of the best around" for snowboarding.
Just Outside the City
Located in Hastings, the Afton Alps Recreation Area offers year-round recreational activities. During the winter, the resort offers nearly 300 acres of skiable land, with a summit elevation of just 700 feet and base elevation of 350 feet. The resort does, however, offer 48 groomed trails and numerous chairlifts for guest convenience. Just a few minutes from the Twin Cities, the SkierNet website describes the resort as "a great day of convenient skiing as small hills go. Wanderers will enjoy it, hotshots will not."
Olympic Fame
Although Buck Hill's slopes are relatively small and the resort only offers 45 acres of ski terrain, the resort has produced a number of Olympians. In fact, Olympic gold medal winner Lindsey Vonn was a member of the Buck Hill ski racing team before she went on to win the gold in the women's downhill at the 2010 Olympics. For such a small resort, the summit elevation still manages to sit at a lofty 1,225 feet. Although multiple chairlifts are available, skiers can get some extra exercise by using the many rope tows to move up and down the mountain.
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