Think Snow! Meet Minnesota’s 19 Downhill Ski Areas

It's important that we find something to do outdoors in the winter to embrace the cold snowy months, otherwise its just about enduring the season which makes it feel much longer.

If you find the right activity to enjoy during the winter, you might actually end up feeling like its going by too quickly.

There are plenty of choices including ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, ATV & UTV trail riding, hiking, and downhill skiing.

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If none of those activities appeal to you, maybe its time to discover a new indoor hobby or craft, or dig deeper into one you already love.

Downhill Skiing, My Favorite Winter Sport

Thanks to my parents who got me started early. It was a weekly event in the Fridley Ski Club, and an annual family trip each winter to our relatives in Colorado.

I would not have guessed that New York has the most downhill ski areas and resorts in the U.S. with 52. I would have guessed Colorado (32), or California (26). Wrong, and wrong.

Minnesota's 19 Downhill Ski Areas for 2024

• Chester Bowl: Duluth. Vertical Drop: 175 ft. Longest Run: 1,250 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country skiing
• Giant's Ridge: Biwabik. Vertical Drop: 500 ft. Longest Run: 4,000 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country ski, tubing
• Lutsen Mountains: Lutsen. Vertical Drop: 825 ft. Longest Run: 6,580 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country skiing
• Mount Itasca: Coloraine. ertical Drop: 180 ft. Longest Run: 1,320 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country skiing

• Spirit Mountain: Duluth. Vertical Drop: 700 ft. Longest Run: 5,400 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, cross-country ski, tubing
• Andes Tower Hills: Kensington. Vertical Drop: 290 ft. Longest Run: 3,000 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country skiing
• Buena Vista: Bemidji. Vertical Drop: 230 ft. Longest Run: 2,000 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country skiing
• Detroit Mountain: Detroit Lakes. Vertical Drop: 210 ft. Longest Run: 2,200 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country skiing
• Mount Ski Gull: Nisswa. Vertical Drop: 298 ft. Longest Run: 2,200 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing

• Powder Ridge: Kimball: Vertical Drop: 290 ft. Longest Run: 2,650 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing
• Afton Alps: Hastings. Vertical Drop: 350 ft. Longest Run: 3,000 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park
• Buck Hill: Burnsville. Vertical Drop: 310 ft. Longest Run: 1,250 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing
• Elm Creek: Maple Grove. Vertical Drop: 100 ft. Longest Run: 800 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing, cross-country skiing
• Hyland Hills: Bloomington. Vertical Drop: 185 ft. Longest Run: 1,200 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park

• Wild Mountain: Taylors Falls. Vertical Drop: 300 ft. Longest Run: 5,280 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing
• Coffee Mill: Wabasha. Vertical Drop: 425 ft. Longest Run: 4,300 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park
• Mount Kato: Mankato. Vertical Drop: 240 ft. Longest Run: 2,800 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park, tubing
• Welch Village: Welch. Vertical Drop: 360 ft. Longest Run: 4,200 ft.
  Downhill ski, terrain park

I've skied at Spirit Mountain, Power Ridge, Afton Alps, Wild Mountain, Coffee Mill, and Welch Village. If you're ever looking to hit the slopes in southeastern Minnesota, I highly recommend Coffee Mill. Not fancy, not elaborate, not big. Just fun, beautiful, small, and quaint. Let's go.