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Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Resorts Near Minneapolis and St. Paul

By Clara James, About.com

A list of downhill skiing and snowboarding areas in and near to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Twin Cities metro area.

Ski areas in southern Minnesota usually open around mid-November, depending on the weather. Occasionally the weather has been cold enough to snow (or make snow) at the end of October, or it may be too warm until the end of November.

Even before it starts to snow, or after a winter thaw, local ski and snowboard resorts can make snow when the temperature is below freezing.

Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area

Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area is the closest to Minneapolis and St. Paul. HSSA is in Bloomington, just west of the Mall of America.

The Ski and Snowboard area is part of the larger Hyland Lake Park Reserve, which as well as skiing and snowboarding, also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails and a Nordic ski jumping complex.

Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area
8800 Chalet Rd
Bloomington, MN 55438-1209
Telephone 763-694-7800

Buck Hill

There's skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing at this resort in Burnsville, about 30 minutes drive south from Minneapolis or St. Paul. There's little here for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but beginners and novices appreciate Buck Hill.

Buck Hill
15400 Buck Hill Rd
Burnsville, MN 55306
Telephone 952-435-7174

Afton Alps

Afton Alps is the largest skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing area near to the Twin Cities. The resort is in Hastings, about 45 minutes southwest of St. Paul.

Afton Alps
6600 South Peller Avenue
Hastings, MN 55033
Telephone 1-800-328-1328

Welch Village

There's skiing and snowboarding at Welch Village Resort, one of the more popular with local snow sports enthusiats. It's about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities.

Welch Village Resort
26685 County Road 7 Boulevard
Welch, MN 55089
Telephone (651) 222-7079

Wild Mountain

Wild Mountain is in Taylors Falls, on the Wisconsin border, about an hour northeast of the Twin Cities. There's skiing, snowboarding, and a separate area for snowtubing.

Wild Mountain
37200 Wild Mountain Road
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Telephone 651-465-6315

Mount Kato

In Mankato, just under two hour's drive southwest from Minneapolis, Mount Kato Ski Area has skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.


20461 Highway 66
Mankato, MN 56001
Telephone 507.625.3363

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