I’m about to relocate to Minneapolis, and have been looking at the ski areas that are close by. I’m a relatively new skier (just started skiing blues), and would like a place with good ski instructors.
Any feedback on which ski areas you like? Dislike?
Thanks!
FS
Downhill or cross-country?
I moved here from the Seattle area, and let me tell you, all the downhill slopes here seem like bunny hills. The best I’ve found so far is Spirit Mountain in Duluth, which has spectacular views and somewhat decent slopes.
I don’t ski cross-country, there are excellent trails all over the place that my friends rave about. You won’t have any trouble finding great places to go.
I don’t know about instructors, but I would rate the ski areas in the Cities like this:
There’s also Trollhaugen in Wisconsin, but I’ve never been there.
If you’re looking to go up North, I’d recommend Giant’s Ridge or Lutsen over Spirit Mountain. Personally, I think Giant’s Ridge is the best area in Minnesota.
Minnesota IS prairie and rolling hills for the most part. Lutsen is - six? hours North.
Not a skier, but WELCOME!
Also not a skier, but like justpassingthrough, let me say
Welcome!
3 1/2- 4 hours, depending on where you are in the cities. It’s about an hour or so past Duluth, up the North Shore. Giant’s Ridge is probably 3 hours.
Wow … there’s a lot of you there 
I’ve been downhill skiing so far (and really like it) - although I’d be willing to try CC skiing as well. Current skiing experience has been Killington and Pico (Vermont), so looking forward to trying something different.
Lutsen is very pretty (and be sure to visit Grand Marais in the summer).
Once you get your legs under you, for a taste of real skiing, try Loch Lomond in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (If you ever find yourself up this way, drop me a line – I’ll give you a lesson.)
Besides that, just take cheap flights out west.
Make a serious effort at picking up cross country skiing – it is tremendously popular in northern Minnesota. Aside from being a very healthy activity, it can get pretty exciting once you start taking some twisting downhill runs.
Lift area, cross country, back country, whatever it takes, just be sure to finish up the day with a sauna.
Linky-poo (or is that linkies-poo or linky-poos?)
Lutsen: http://www.lutsen.com
825 feet vertical
Longest run a couple of miles
Lots of gentle blue cruising runs, inluding several with fantastic views of Superior – Caribou, Cascade and Moose runs
The resort’s self-advertised stats are: easiest 18%, more difficult 47%, most difficult 25%, expert 10% (although I disagree with this – I don’t thnk they have any expert runs – I’d suggest that it is more along the lines of 30% beginner, 45% intermediate, 25% advanced)
This is an excellent resort to visit for a weekend or longer, with more relaxing cruising runs than you can shake a ski at.
Loch Lomond: http://www.lochlomond.ca/
750 feet vertical
Longest run about a mile and a half (unless you count the 5km backcountry run to my place at the next ski area down the road)
Steepest runs between Quebec and the Rockies (1 goomed, 1 bump, 1 open step turn)
The resort’s self-advertised stats are: 30% beginner, 35% intermediate, 35% advanced (although I’d suggest that one of their runs is expert – Devil’s Dive)
This is where to go if you are into adrenaline – holy crap Batman fast.
And eat at the Trail Center Lodge.
Just remember that it’s pronounced sow-na.
Sow-na. Sow-na. Sow-na. Sow-na! Sow- na! Sow-na! SOW-NA! SOW-NA! SOW-NA! [The skiers’ chant slowly grew, from a low rumble to a thunderous roar.]
Something to consider since you live in flatland: snowkiting http://snowkiting.com/
On frozen lakes I very much enjoy doing this on telemark gear (beefy cross-country gear that can handle sharp turns and high speeds on alpine slopes, but skill lets you kick and glide home).