Ski Resorts Near the Twin Cities

While Minnesota doesn't have any mountains, and certainly isn't comparable to ski resorts out West, it does have some great family oriented ski resorts. Since I was raised in Minnesota and have lived in the Twin Cities area for most of my life, I'll name all of my favorite places to ski in Minnesota.

Wild Mountain, Taylors Falls, Minnesota: This little ski hill doesn't offer much in terms of hard core skiing, but a cozy chalet and a relaxing family atmosphere is one reason people ski Wild Mountain. Wild Mountain is located in Taylors Falls, which is a small tourist town located about forty-five miles from St. Paul. After enjoying a day of skiing, head to downtown Taylors Falls for dinner and a show. The skiing at Wild Mountain ranges from beginning to intermediate. The runs are mostly greens and blues, with a couple of black diamonds such as "The Wall" thrown in. Wild Mountain is a good place for both children and adults to learn how to ski. It is very accommodating of beginning skiers, as there is a bunny hill with a tow rope and many beginning hills. There's also an inexpensive ski school for both kids and adults. Parents can enroll their kids in an all day long ski camp, or lessons for a couple of hours. Wild Mountain also has a full service bar, which offers wonderful drink specials for the adults and an inexpensive cafetaria that serves some very good French fries. In the summer, Wild Mountain turns into a water park with a wide range of water slides, a lazy river, and an alpine slide.

Welch Village, Welch, Minnesota: Welch Village is located in the tiny little village of Welch near Hastings. It takes around an hour and a half to drive there from the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area. Welch offers more skiable terrain than Wild Mountain and features more blue and black runs. If you're a college student, Welch will sell you a season pass for under $100. This makes the ski resort a popular option with college students throughout the Twin Cities area. Welch is a favorite of snowboarders in the area. The resort also features a ski school and terrain parks and race courses for boarders. Overall, Welch Village has a very good family atmosphere.

Trollhaugen, Dresser, Wisconsin: While Trollhaugen isn't technically in Minnesota; it is only forty five miles or so from the Twin Cities in the western Wisconsin town of Dresser. Actually, Dresser isn't too far from Taylors Falls. So, if you will be around the area for some time, it might be worth checking out both resorts. Trollhaugen is less known and as a result it never gets too busy, with the exception of late December and early January when students are enjoying their Christmas break. The resort offers fewer options for snowboarders than Welch Village and is more of a classic ski resort, reminiscent of the eighties and early nineties. The skiing is intermediate to a high level intermediate, but does have a bunny hill for beginners. The scenery is what's nice about Trollhaugen. The resort is nestled in a hilly, wooded area. Nearby Dresser is the Eichtens cheese factory, where visitors can buy freshly made cheese curds and other treats.