Ski, Stay & Store Minnesota: The Best Skiing near Minneapolis
Minnesota winters can be long and tough, so it’s no surprise that the North Star state offers plenty of ways for winter sports lovers to add in some fun. From beginner and family friendly ski hills to gorgeous mountaintop resorts, we’ve boiled down the best skiing you’ll find near Minneapolis to help you plan a slope filled winter getaway.
Top Resorts for Minnesota Skiing
You can find scenic slopes in every corner of Minnesota as well as without leaving the Minneapolis metro. Get out and enjoy the snow at some of the state’s best ski hills and resorts.
Lutsen
If you’re looking for the biggest and best ski runs the Midwest has to offer, head to the North Shore’s Sawtooth Mountains. At four hours from Minneapolis, it’s not exactly close to the Twin Cities, but it’s as close to a Rocky Mountain vibe as you can find. Lutsen offers spectacular drops from its four mountains with 60 central runs, an additional 30+ “sidecountry” runs, and an 825-foot vertical rise. It offers a mix of terrain for skiers and snowboards of all skills plus multiple skills parks. There’s ski-in-ski-out accommodations at Eagle Ridge. And the dark green forests and views of Lake Superior for a backdrop can’t be beat.
Giants Ridge
Giants Ridge is an upscale ski resort in the heart of Minnesota’s Superior National Forest. With 35 alpine ski trails, terrain parks, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and fat tire biking, it’s one of Minnesota’s largest ski resorts. The trails span all skill levels, ensuring there’s something for every kind of skier. Plus, you’ll find stunning views of the Northwoods and equally stunning accommodations that include a spa, dining, an all-suite hotel and rustic villas.
Mount Kato
If you are looking for a resort that caters to the advanced skier, Mount Kato along the Minnesota River Valley is where it’s at. An hour and a half from the Twin Cities, this resort is on the smaller side with 19 trails and eight chairlifts, but big on thrills. Most of Mount Kato’s trails are rated for intermediate and advanced skiers, offering lots of variety for advanced skiers. The resort also offers several terrain parks and night skiing.
Buck Hill
Just 20 miles from the Twin Cities, Buck Hill is small but legendary. It offers less than 20 runs in total but has difficulty levels ranging from beginner all the way up to black-diamond offering fun snowboarding and skiing within 30 minutes of Minneapolis. It has the longest magic carpet in the country, offers lessons, ski teams and other programs that have produced a few Olympic skiers, including Lindsay Vonn. The ski hill also has tubing and three on-site restaurants.
Hyland Hills
Hyland Hills offers the closest skiing to the Twin Cities at just 15 miles from Minneapolis. There are only a handful of runs on the 1,000-acre ski hill, but it comes with enough variety to keep beginners and intermediate skiers busy. You’ll find bunny hills, challenging black diamond trails, a tricked-out terrain park, cross country ski trails, snowshoe trails and a Nordic ski jump. With a reputation for stellar snowmaking and grooming, it offers excellent skiing within 20 minutes of Minneapolis.
Minneapolis, MN Ski Storage
Make sure you have a nice, safe place to store your skis until your next Minnesota ski adventure. Log Ski Rack hand-crafts storage racks for skis and snowboards that are both beautiful and functional. The high-quality ski racks are made from northern white cedar logs and provide excellent ski storage for homes, cabins and ski resorts. Shop Log Ski Racks online now and get free shipping to the Minneapolis, MN metro or contact us for a custom ski rack designed to meet your unique storage needs.
