| When it comes to skiing in the Midwest, Minnesota | | | | downhill trails, and two terrain parks spread out |
| is tops. There are 3 main locations in Minnesota | | | | over close to 200 acres making it the biggest |
| that are definitely worth checking out. Whether | | | | Minnesota ski resort. Spirit's assets include a sea |
| you are snowboarding or skiing, these three | | | | of some of the finest "blue cruisers" around the |
| locations are ideal. | | | | Great Lakes and its great views of the city and |
| 1) Afton Alps: Afton Alps sits along the rolling hills | | | | harbor. The sprawl of twinkling city lights at night |
| of the scenic St Croix River Valley. This sprawling | | | | is one of the greatest night skiing views |
| area offers enough runs to keep a skier or | | | | anywhere. |
| snowboarder busy both day and night just | | | | 3) Giants Ridge: As the Midwest's premier ski |
| exploring the whole layout. Spread out along a | | | | resort, Giants Ridge was rated by SKI Magazine |
| wedge-shaped ridge overlooking the river valley, it | | | | as the #1 ski resort in Minnesota. With Minnesota's |
| is hug for a Midwest ski area. With 48 trails, four | | | | largest half pipe, a 500-foot vertical drop, 34 |
| terrain parks and 18 chairlifts, it is considered a | | | | downhill trails, two terrain parks and 7 chairlifts, |
| top tier Minnesota Ski Resort. | | | | Giants Ridge is considered by many to be the |
| 2) Spirit Mountain: Located in Duluth, Spirit | | | | best stop in Minnesota for skiing and |
| Mountain is one of the greatest "suburban" ski | | | | snowboarding. Because of this and much more, |
| areas in the Midwest. Spirit offers a big 700-foot | | | | Giants Ridge is Minnesota's premier four season |
| vertical drop, 7 lifts including a high-speed quad, 22 | | | | resort. |