Earning
its reputation for great outdoor recreation during the summer
months, the" Land of A Thousand Lakes" reinvents itself
in winter as a top Midwest winter sports destination offering
18 resorts and ski areas.
With
names like Lutsen Mountains, Afton Alps, Spirit Mountain and Giants
Ridge, you know you've arrived in serious snow country.
Lutsen
Mountains, the largest ski area in the entire Great Lakes region,
encompasses more than 1,000 acres and 90 ski trails.
100
miles away, Giants Ridge also combines professional world class
skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and winter family fun with
a reputation even among World Cup athletes and Olympic tryout
hopefuls.
Head
south and find Duluth's winter playground at Spirit Mountain with
200 acres of deep powder and featuring 22 trails, two terrain
parks, and one breathtaking view of the city and its harbor along
Lake Superior.
Head
further south to find another top ski area that helps groom the
US Olympic team at Buck Hill, located iin Burnsville near Minneapolis, with 15
trails for skiers and snowboarders as well as snow tubing. Its
11 lifts also means your up and gliding through the white stuff
in practically no time at all.
Also
in the Twin Cities' backyard lies Afton Alps, where skiing and
snowboarding begins in late November in the spectacularly scenic
St. Croix River Valley. Along with 48 ski trails, there are snow
tubing areas as well as four terrain parks for daredevil snowboard
action.
More about Minnesota Ski Resorts around the Web:
Skiing
Spirit Mountain, in Duluth.
Ski Bum - Minnesota
Ski Area Guide - Expert guide to major ski areas and resorts
statewide with location and contact details, plus photos, reviews,
and interesting insider notes on best skiing trails for novices
and experts.
Minnesota
Ski & Snowboard Resorts - Good overviews including
a map, mountain stats and amenities, number of ski and snowboard
trails, event listings.
Minnesota
Nordic Ski Association - A clearinghouse of information
on cross country skiing throughout the state with trail listings
and locations, current weather and snow reports, membership details.
Minnesota
Snow Reports
- Quick stats and facts on current snowfall, surface conditions
and open trails at major resorts and ski areas throughout the
state.