Things to do / Travel Guide
A state with an amazing array of waterways, waterfalls, and Lake Superior borders, Minnesota is known for its cold, and sometimes downright harsh, winters. The state's average of 50 to 70 inches of snowfall per season, and its winter temperatures that run from the single digits to the 30's Fahrenheit, combine to make Minnesota's ski resorts a success every season.
Skiing in and around Minneapolis
As one half of the “Twin Cities,” Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, and is also home to the Andes Tower Hills Ski area. Small in size, but huge in diversity of trails, Andes Tower Hills caters to all types of winter thrill seekers – downhill skiers, snowboarders, and even cross country track makers will be satisfied with the many trails on site. 800 acres of terrain encompass fifteen downhill slopes, tiller groomed cross country tracks, and a small terrain park, all accessible by the three chairlifts.
Off site, there are four separate parks with various cross country trails. The Columbia, Gross National, and Hiawatha Golf Courses offer anywhere from a 3.7mile to a 8km system of trails in the beginner to intermediate levels. Wirth Recreation Area offers lessons and some parts of the 2.5km loop are lit until 9pm and have limited rentals. There is also an 800 meter practice area located in the area just before you head out onto the trails. Skiing on the golf courses mainly require guests to have their own equipment, but rentals may be purchased within the city limits, or at the Columbia Golf Course, on a first come, first serve basis.
There is never a food shortage in the Minneapolis area, with an eclectic array of options. Try The Melting Pot, specializing in fondue, or Nye's Polonaise Room, featuring Polish American cuisine, a piano bar, and live polka music on the weekends. You can pop over to the Black Forest Inn, operating since 1965, for an old-world style German menu that features an amazing stained glass indoor and outdoor patio. For some further nightlife adventures, head on over to Brit's for some English pub charm on a large scale, complete with the only elevated lawn bowling green in the United States; it's located on the roof! Experience the infamous dive bar “Liquor Lyle's,” known for its 2 for 1 special, and cheap drinks all day and night long.
There are several Bed & Breakfasts available for your lodging convenience. The Historic Kings Inn, located only moments from downtown Minneapolis, allows visitors to stay in a uniquely renovated mansion dating from 1909, and enjoy a hearty breakfast before hitting the slopes. There are eight other family owned and operated B&Bs in the area, each with its own style and ambiance. If you prefer a nationally recognized name, such as the Hyatt, Hilton, Doubletree Guest Suites or the Radisson, just to name a few, there are numerous hotels and motels which offer a warm place to rest one's head.
Skiing in and around Duluth
The towns of Grand Rapids, Ely, Grand Marias, and Duluth itself, are a little center of winter fun every time the snow flies.
Stunning sights of the Nine Lakes at Buena Vista Ski Resort offer a tranquil view the whole way down the slopes, as these lakes are not just visible from the top. Cross country enthusiasts flock to the #1 ranked ski area and training ground for the USA National Cross Country Ski Team at Giants Ridge, to take advantage of their superior trail system and grooming skills. Take a thrilling run down the largest and highest ski mountain in Mid-America at Lutsen Mountain, which is actually four mountains rolled into one name, and offers an incredible ninety alpine trails, 60 acres of off-piste and tree riding, and a designated slow-skiing zone for beginners. Cross-country trails snake over 100km through the various resorts, including Spirit Mountain's 22km, Lutsen's backcountry system of 20 trails, and Giant's Ridge's 60km just for openers.
Snowboarders have an astounding choice of over 10 terrain parks through the Duluth region. Be sure not to miss the largest snowboarding terrain park in the Midwest, located at Spirit Mountain, which is sponsored and hand built by SOBE energy drink partners and features a superpipe. Powder Ridge Ski has three terrain parks and a freestyle terrain area under its belt, while Giant's Ridge offers a beginner and advanced park that feature 15 to 30 foot high jumps and boxes off of which to soar. Freestyle has never been so welcomed.
Historic Inns are scattered throughout Minnesota, and the Duluth area is no exception. In 1909, the A.G. Thomson house was built in Dutch Colonial Revival style. It features whirlpools and Lake Superior views from its intact and preserved rooms, now fitted out with modern conveniences. Perhaps you'd fancy spending the night in the 1908 Italian Renaissance Cotton Mansion, with its hand-carved stone and exotic woods. There are another six historic inns and B&Bs to choose from in the area. From a Holiday Inn to exquisite lodges, such as the Lake Breeze Motel Resort, the Chateau LeVeaux, or even the interesting houseboats in the area, there is a wide variety of lodging options available, from the mundane to the untamed, where you can dream the night away. Local wineries and breweries serve up homemade brews and drinks, while Duluth's cultural scene, with its art galleries, dance centers, and live music make activities off the slopes a welcome change of pace from the exercises of the day.
Skiing in and around the St. Paul area
As the other half of the “Twin Cities,” the St. Paul region is home to no less than eight ski resorts and areas. With Lake Minnetonka being the largest lake in the Twin Cities areas and, thanks to its cold local temperatures, snow is generally plentiful thanks either to Mother Nature herself, or by the many state of the art snowmaking machines employed by the mountains.
Snowboard friendly resorts such as Afton Alps, Buck Hill, and Hyland make this a little slice of heaven from mountains that limit the freestyle riders, but for a more relaxed attitude, and larger features, riders should hit up one of the many St. Paul area mountains. Hyland has been home to the Winter X games, and is known to have some of the best grooming and snowmaking abilities to keep those parks full of the white stuff and progressive features. Buck Hill steps it up with three terrain parks and two freestyle areas, while Afton Alps boasts professional snowboarders Pat Milbery and Erich Drummer as the designers of their parks.
For cross country and more classical skiing, head over to Welch Valley, which has around 50 trails ranging from beginner all the way up to double black diamond levels spread out over 120 acres of terrain. Buck Hill Ski Area is another good option. It's a place accessible enough to be called home by everyday average skiers, yet challenging enough to count a US National Ski Hall of Fame recipient in its ranks! Mount Kato provides a smaller home base, perfect for beginners, with just nineteen trails; ideal for someone just looking for a low-key day on the mountain. Whatever your style – downhill, freestyle or cross-country - St. Paul is a welcoming destination for one and all!
Visit the St. Croix Valley and enjoy the lodging at Thorwood Inn in Hastings or Afton House Inn, not too far from the Afton Alps ski area. Both are historic inns, which offer a delicious breakfast to start the day off right. There are also a variety of lodgings ranging from the standard budget motels like Holiday Inn to the fancier Country Inn and Suites. With over 1,000 plus rooms to choose from, though, you should have no trouble finding accommodations to suit your taste and budget.
The St. Paul area and its vicinity offers a fantastic variety of choices of eating choices for the hungry. Japanese restaurants with fresh sushi, Hispanic, Italian, and terrific local seafood places populate downtown and suburban St. Paul. There's O'Gara's, a 3rd generation bar and restaurant from 1941, and Casper and Runyon's Shamrock's Irish Nook which offers up traditional Irish fare, with bangers, mashers, and an authentic Guinness beer, properly poured of course! Costello's, which is a friendly neighborhood pub, has standard pub fare and terrific American classics, including juicy hamburgers and any type of beer guests could want. Either way, entertainment both on and off the slopes is never far away in the St. Paul area.
Minnesota is a winter wonderland, and with all the ski areas in this state, its not hard to see why! Ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, cross-country, snowshoeing – it's all here. It's winter sports season, and Minnesota is calling.
Ski Resorts in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota area
Skiing
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