Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Kimball, Minnesota
Tel:
(320) 398-7200
The exquisite views you can see from the top at the southern end of this glacier located in Kimball, Minnesota are one of the amazing selling points of Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area. A short hour drive from the Twin City Metro or Minneapolis areas have riders and skiers on 68 acres of variable ski terrain daily from 10am to 9pm for a season that extends from Thanksgiving to March. This makes Powder Ridge both convenient and close for families, students, and just about anyone else.
Fourteen trails blanket Powder Ridge in wide open beginner trails, graded intermediate trails to carve into, and steeps for those at the advanced levels. Four chairlifts service all terrain, including "Outback." This trail winds South, East, and West, providing guests with the longest trail spanning over a mile.
Snowboarders have a choice of three terrain parks, as well as freestyle terrain with natural and manmade features. The "North" and "South" parks include hits, jumps, rails, and boxes, while the "Kowabunga" park is built on a smaller scale to build skill sets before taking on the larger hits.
Reservations are highly recommended for those planning to take the lessons given by the professional ski and snowboard instructors at Powder Ridge Ski School. Kids Club is designed with 4 to 12 year old children in mind and includes a lesson, lift ticket, and snack. On Wednesday and Saturday nights only, there is a special deal on Learn to Ski or Board packages for three people. This includes three lessons, tickets, and rentals. In addition, Powder Ridge's ski school offers regular group and private lessons tailored to different skill levels.
Check out the many discounts that make Powder Ridge affordable, regardless of budget. There are "$15 Buck" nights on Sundays and Wednesdays from 4 to 9pm, college nights, Superbowl Sunday, as well as the "Superpass" which allows guests to purchase a pack of 6 lift tickets for the price of 5. There is also a New Year's Eve discount for the one night a year when the mountain is open till 11pm and fireworks light up the sky! Adult, child, and senior rates are sold at daily, nightly, and weekend rates. A full service rental shop is located onsite, featuring standard and high performance equipment.
Don't miss the "Wild Chutes" snow tubing park, open on the weekends, for a different way to experience the winter cold. Step into the chalet with its two cafeterias set up to serve hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, soups, salads, and various other quick bites to eat. Chester's Lounge is set up as a full bar. It features drink specials and occasional live music on the weekends.
A 15-30 minute drive away to St. Cloud or Annadale provides the closest options for lodging in the form of motels and private rentals. However, guests looking for more varied options, both for where to sleep and where to go for après ski events, head into the Twin Cities or Minneapolis for an impressive selection of hotels, motels, bars, supper clubs, and swanky lounges.
Convenience, great prices, and spectacular views are what draw visitors to Powder Ridge time and time again. Check it out for yourself this season.