Best Skiing In Minnesota: Guide For Best Mountains and Dates for Prime Snow Conditions

Minnesota is known for being one of the coldest states in the U.S. While it is tempting to equate cold weather with snowfall and skiing, the state isn’t exactly renowned for its slopes. Most people would rather take a trip a bit farther west to experience large resorts and steep mountains. However, Minnesota does have some good places to ski. Discover the best skiing in Minnesota and learn when the best time is to go to the mountains to get the best-quality snow.  

1. Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort

The Lutsen Mountains Ski and Summer Resort is probably the closest thing that the Midwest has to a major ski resort. The ski area has lodging, restaurants, and nearby attractions. However, the elevation is lacking, with only 825 feet of vertical and a total elevation of 1,688 feet. It’s no wonder that this is frequently called the location with the best skiing in Minnesota.

The mountain region is located in northeast Minnesota, not far from the shores of Lake Superior. That makes this area a popular destination throughout all seasons.

The best time to go skiing in this area based on the snow quality, quantity, and likelihood of storms is in the middle of January and the first week or two of February. These weeks have the highest chance of providing visitors with adequate snow to take on the mountain.

The mountains receive between 90 and 115 inches of snow per year. The resort features 1,000 acres of skiable area, 95 runs, and 9 lifts spread out over four areas.

It’s always worth checking the weather before arriving in this area to make sure that a storm has either just ended or is on the horizon.

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2. Giants Ridge Resort

Giants Ridge Resort is another ski area in Minnesota that serves as a popular skiing destination for locals. The resort is located near Wynne Lake and Sabin Lake in the northeast part of Minnesota. This area doesn’t receive much snow, only about 40 inches of snow per year. However, that doesn’t stop people from enjoying the snow when it does fall.

The best time to ski at Giants Ridge Resort is the middle of January through the first two weeks or so of February. That is when the most snow tends to fall in the area. Unlike large ski resorts, visitors to Giants Ridge probably don’t need to factor in crowds and their impact on the snow in the area.

Based on snowfall alone, that’s the time you’ll want to plan a trip to the resort. Giants Ridge is not a place where you’re going to find incredibly steep slopes or many runs. The whole area comprises 202 acres of skiable land and 35 total runs. Still, this place offers more than enough fun to serve the people that come to the resort.

3. Spirit Mountain Recreation Area

Spirit Mountain Recreation Area is a fun place for people to go and experience skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Like the other winter areas of Minnesota, Spirit Mountain isn’t very high in elevation. Also, this area doesn’t get an exceptional amount of snow like places in Colorado and other popular ski areas.

The best time to go to this ski area based on snowfall is the middle of February. Spirit Mountain gets the most snow during this month.

The reason that this mountain area is listed as one of the places with the best skiing in Minnesota is its location. The ski area can be found on the outskirts of Duluth, a very accessible city near Lake Superior.

The area has 22 runs, night skiing, and a 700-foot vertical from the top elevation of 1,289 to the base. Spirit Mountain is not a daredevil’s paradise, but it serves as a nice ski area.  

4. Afton Alps

Afton Alps is a popular ski area that’s close to Minneapolis. While the name may invoke staggeringly tall, steep mountains, you’re not going to find that here. Yet, this place makes the list of the best skiing in Minnesota for its location near a major city. As a result, skiers will easily find nearby lodging and entertainment once they have gotten their fill of skiing for the day.

The mountain resort has 36 total runs and 300 skiable acres for people to enjoy. Like the other ski areas in Minnesota, this resort has a low elevation. The base elevation is 350 feet and the top elevation is about 700 feet, giving the resort a 350-foot vertical.

The best time to ski in this area based on snowfall is between the middle of January and the first weeks of February. That is the time when the park receives the most frequent snow. Even though Afton Alps doesn’t receive much natural snow, the snowmaking bolsters the snow depth.

5. Welch Village

Last but not least, Welch Village is one of the areas with the best skiing in Minnesota. This area receives about 54 inches of snowfall each year, and that amount is increased by snow production. As a result, the best time to go skiing is when the snowfall is at its greatest. That is during the middle of January and early February, similar to other times in the state.

Welch Village does offer a fair amount of skiing for visitors. The area has 60 runs over 160 of skiing land, and they have ongoing snowmaking efforts.

All in all, the best skiing in Minnesota may not hold up to the skiing in places like Utah. However, the resorts still offer good-quality, accessible skiing for the crowds that show up.  

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