Ski & Tubing Hills
The metro's downhill ski and snowboard hills — Afton, Buck Hill, Hyland, and Como Park's city-run beginner hill, plus Welch Village, the full-size resort a day trip down the river valley — and the snow-tubing runs where you don't need to know how to ski to have a good time. Elm Creek and Green Acres handle the tubing; the ski areas add terrain parks and night skiing. The season runs roughly December into March, snow permitting — expect a lift or tubing ticket, and tubing usually wants a reservation.
Afton Alps
PaidSnow tubingNight skiingTerrain parkRentalsLessonsThe metro's biggest ski area — 300-plus acres of runs on the St. Croix bluffs, with 18 lifts, terrain parks, and night skiing. Vail-owned; a lift ticket or Epic Pass gets you on.
Hours & details ↗Buck Hill
PaidSnow tubingNight skiingTerrain parkRentalsLessonsBurnsville's storied training hill — where Lindsey Vonn learned to race — with runs, rails, and a race program. A lift ticket to ski or ride.
Hours & details ↗- Night skiingTerrain parkRentalsLessons
St. Paul's own little downhill hill by Como Lake — two rope tows, 150 feet of vertical, and cheap first-timer lessons. A $15 tow ticket, rentals on site; the city runs it into mid-February.
Hours & details ↗ - Snow tubingNight skiingTerrain parkRentalsLessons
Three Rivers' beginner-friendly hill in Maple Grove — a lift-served downhill run and a lighted tubing hill with snowmaking, plus cross-country trails. Lift or tubing ticket required.
Hours & details ↗ - Snow tubingNight skiing
A snow-tubing hill in Lake Elmo — one open hill, no lanes, with a tow rope to haul you back up. Around $22 a person; you must be 42 inches to ride solo, and weekends fill, so reserve. December into March, snow permitting.
Hours & details ↗ - Night skiingTerrain parkRentalsLessons
Three Rivers' downhill area in Bloomington, five minutes from the Mall of America — a big terrain park, a chalet, and rentals, floodlit for night skiing. Lift ticket required.
Hours & details ↗ Welch Village
PaidSnow tubingNight skiingTerrain parkRentalsLessonsThe biggest true ski resort near the metro — 60-plus runs and terrain parks in the Cannon River valley, with night skiing into the evening. About 50 minutes southeast; a day ticket or a season pass to ride.
Hours & details ↗