MINNESOTA

78
lost
areas

MWLSAP Homepage

Any information or pictures on the lost ski areas of Minnesota would be greatly appreciated. Please e-mail: mark@mwlsap.org

| lost | working on | never opened | still open |

https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/travel-recreation/minnesotas-unlikely-downhill-ski-legacy/


LOST AREAS

Allen's Thrill Hill

Alpenhorn (was to become Crystal Hills in 1974)

Andersen's Hill+ (became Ski Haven, still open as Mt. Kato)

Arctic Park* - also called Mt. Sitzmark

Austin YMCA Ski Hill  

Bamber Hills (also called Rochester Ski Hill)

Barkers Alps (also called North Star Tow, became Ski Strom 2 in 1959)

Battle Creek Park

Benton Valley * see Hole in the Wall County Park

Big Ojibway *- see Ojibway Ski Bowl

Breezy Point Ski Hill

Buffalo Valley Ski Area

Bush Lake

Cedar Hills Ski Park

Comet Skiways

Crestwood Golf and Ski

Crystal Hills * (see Alpenhorn)

  • Probably never reopened for skiing as Crystal Hills

Crystal, MN Rope Tows * see Valley Place Park 

Darwin Winter Recreation Park

  • Darwin / Dassel MN (Meeker County) South Central Minnesota
  • o:   c:  
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    45.09393830016789, -94.37771733834762
  • From Midwest Lost Ski Areas Facebook Page - Old ski hill between Darwin and Dassel Minnesota. We fly our paragliders off it now.
  • from Meeker County Museum at the GAR Hall
    • Hi Mark,

      We weren't able to find any definite dates, but I did put a request for memories from a local Facebook group and was able to gather a few details from their comments. The rope tow was in operation sometime during the 1970s-80s. It was shut down due to liability concerns. One person remembered watching more than one person shoot across the highway on their toboggan. You would lay on your tube or sled and grab on to the rope (often with a good jerk of the shoulders) to be towed up the hill, hoping you don't lose your sled on the way up. One gentleman commented that he went through a pair of gloves each year.

      Sorry we couldn't be of more help, but it looks like the people enjoyed reminiscing! If we get any more details, we will be sure to pass them along if you are interested.

      Danelle Erickson

 Davis Bros.Tow * - NEAR Battle Creek Park

Eagle Mountain Ski Area (Eagle Mountain Winter Recreational Area)

Edina Ski Tow

  • Edina, MN - Twin Cities area (Hennepin County) - "near hwy 169 and (old) county road 18"; on 169 [hwy 169 realigned in 1988]; hill faces north; 5 min from Edina Country Club; on the George Vessey Farm, 6501 Hwy. 169 West, Hopkins Rt 1 (in 1951)
  • o: 1951, last mention Jan.1953
  • v: 100 ft.
  • Edina Ski Tow Open - Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Tue, Dec 25, 1951
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    44.899208308460295, -93.39164220343932
    Walnut Ridge Park
    Please email - mark@mwlsap.org - if you know a more precise location.
  • Edina City Council Minutes - Edina Docs Document Archive
    (Thank you to the Edina Historical Society)
  • Scene in Edina - Minneapolis Tribune, Jan, 6, 1952 (nice pictures)
  • Ski Resorts Ready as Snow Piles up - Minneapolis Tribune, Jan. 6, 1952, p. 27
  • Skiing Pros Have Stimulated Sport - Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Dec 28, 1952
  • Ski Reports - Minneapolis Tribune, Jan. 1, 1953

Egan's Resort / Egan's Hidden Valley Ski Tow * (see Hidden Valley)

  • Savage, MN
  • Ski Trails - The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Jan 26, 1941

Eko Backen

Finland Air Base

Fond du Lac Winter Sports Center* - see Ojibway Ski Bowl

Fred Sims Park * - see Hew Hope Rope Tow

French Rapids

Glenhaven

Gokey's Hlil + (still open as Buck Hill)

  • Burnsville, MN (Dakota County) - near Twin Cities
  • o: 1937;    became Buck hill, still open 
  • FIRST IN STATE along with Moon Valley
  • Ski Run Lift Is Being Built - The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Mon, Nov 22, 1937
  • Ski Tow Ends Climb Back (picture) - The Minneapolis Journal Minneapolis, Minnesota · Monday, January 17, 1938
  • Ski Trails - The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Jan 14, 1940 (Gokey's Hill)

Golden Gate To Fun

Grandview Golf and Ski Club

Hallaway Hill Ski Area (Hollaway)

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley (another one - also called Egan's Resort and Egan's Hidden Valley Ski Tow)

Hole in the Wall County Park - also called Benton Valley and Lake Benton Valley

Inver Hills Ski Hill (previously called NorSki)

Keller Golf Course Rope Tow

Kenwood ( see Ski Kenwood)

Knob Hill Ski Club (Nob Hill)

Lake Benton Valley* - see Hole in the Wall county Park

Lester-Amity Park Ski and Jumping Area ???

  • Duluth, MN (St. Louis County) northeast Minnesota - 2940, Seven Bridges Rd, Duluth
  • v: 62 ft.
  • 1 rope tow
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    46.855314045405954, -92.01268887825745
  • skimap.org (0 maps) - this is the only reference I can find stating that there was a rope tow, but this reference has been removed.

Lion's Valley Place Park - See Valley Place Park

Little Squaw Valley

Little Switzerland - also called Wilton's Hill

Lone Lake Ski Club

Lookout Mountain (Lookout Lodge, Minnesota's Lookout Mountain)

Marthaler Ski Area

Moon Valley Ski Area

Moundsview Ski Club = Davis Bros at New Brighton ???

Mt. Carmel *- See Saint John's University

Mt. Florida

  • Spicer / Willmar, MN - (Kandiyohi County) - central Minnesota - 13 mi. N of Wilmar, 5 mi. W of Spicer
  • Dickerson's Resort, 13194 2nd Street N.E., Spicer, MN fornerly called Shady Rest Beach Resort and Lake Florida Resort - pictures
  • o:1958; c: 1960
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    45.25211772605166, -95.04016986545808
  • The American Ski Directory, by William Pain, Permabook, 1961
  • on 1958 and 1962 maps
  • Upper Midwest Ski Areas, Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 7, 1958
  • Here's a List of Numerous Ski Areas (with map)- Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 6, 1959
  • Bob Larson, Kandiyohi County Historical Society:

    "I can't find any articles or pictures of Mt. Florida. I did talk to a family member and it was a Downhill Ski and Toboggan Hill on the NE side of Lake Florida 1958-1960. They had rope lift and a warming house. Because of lack of snow in those years it never got going. Here are pictures of where it would have been. I hope you can use this; it is all I could Find.."

    Pictures     1 2

Mt. Frontenac

Mt. Normandale+ - still open as Hyland Hills

Mt. Notch - same location as the Tyrol Ski Tow (1949)

Mt. Rockwood

Mt. Rushford* (see Rushford)

Mt. Silver (silver Creek?)(may be the same as Two Harbors)

  • Two Harbors, MN (Lake County) - northeast Minnesota - 4 miles north (3 mi. E) of Two Harbors on Hwy 61 near the Silver Creek tunnel., on Silver Fox Ln
  • o: 1950 ?; c: no mention before Jan. 1951 or after spring 1952)
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    47.06438654780687, -91.61279636416776
    Thank you to Doris Ressl for a more precise location
  • recent photo - thank you to Doris Ressl
  • Where to Go - The Duluth News Tribune, Thu, Jan 18, 1951
  • North Shore Skiing Improves With Snow - Minneapolis Tribune, Jan. 28, 1951
  • Twin Cities Ski Feud on Today -Silver Creek - 4 mi. N of Two Harbors Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Jan 7, 1951
  • Ski Reports - The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Thu, Feb 28, 1952
  • Ski Resorts Ready as Snow Piles up - Minneapolis Tribune, Jan. 6, 1952, p. 27 (see last paragraph)

Mt. Sitzmark - also called Arctic Park

New Brighton Rope Tow* (probably same as TCAAP)

New Hope Rope Tow

  • New Hope, MN - NW of Minneapolis - Fred Sims Park, 4350 Nevada Ave N
  • o: mid 1960s; c: 1975
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    45.03554825457216, -93.37168349307002
  • Email from Doug Holsten from Sisters, Oregon. Thank you.
    • " I enjoyed perusing your Minnesota lost ski areas web page. I did not see one very small ski hill on your list that I will bring to your attention. The City of New Hope, MN operated a rope tow at a city park in the late 1960s. I do not know when skiing started and ended at the park but I know it was active in about the 1966-1968 time frame (I was a young teenager). While I am not absolutely sure, I think the rope tow was setup at Simms Park (at intersection of 45th Ave N and Nevada Ave N). The vertical on the hill was likely less than 50 ft so perhaps this operation was just too small to make your list."
  • Email from Susan Rader, City of New Hope , Director of Parks and Recreation  
    • Hi Mark,

      From what I can find, yes, Fred Sims Park did have a rope tow for several years. I can’t tell you a specific start date, but it would have been in the mid to late 1960’s. I also found that it was discontinued in 1975 due to budget cuts.

Nordmarken Ski Area

Norski Hill* (later became Inver Hills)

North Oaks (also North Oakes)

North Star Tow* - see Barker's Alps

Northview Ski Hill

  • Lakeville, MN - 9 mi. S of Buck Hill
  • o: 1969 ?; c: 1972 ?
  • v: 100 ft.
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    44.597195734785636, -93.2981287488469
    9 mi. S of Buck Hill
    Please email - mark@mwlsap.org - if you know a more precise location.
  • advertisement - The Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis, Minnesota · Thursday, February 20, 1969
  • Additional Ski Areas - The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Wed, Nov 25, 1970
  • Skiing Variety Offered in Minnesota - Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minnesota) · Fri, Nov 12, 1971

Ojibway Ski Bowl - Also called: Big Ojibway Mountain, Fond Du Lac Ojibway Bowl, Fond du Lac Winter Sports Center

Old Smokey Hill Ski Park (Smoky)

Pine Bend Ski Area

Pine Valley

Pipestone* (may be Hole in the Mountain / Benton Valley)

Potter Ridge * ???

  • Kimball, MN - central Minnesota
  • v: 250 ft.
  • Ski Area Guide, SKIING Magazine, Sept. 1969, pp. 162-164 This is the only reference I could find. Probably did not exist. May be confused with Powder Ridge, Kimball, which is stlil open.

Prior Lake Ski Area

  • Prior Lake, MN (Scott County)
  • o: 1967
  • Google Maps / Google Earth ???
    44.72864101813653, -93.4330808520157
    location of town of Prior Lake
    Please email - mark@mwlsap.org - if you know a more precise location.
    Email sent to City of Prior Lake and Scott County Historical Society 10/30/23
  • Suburban Neighbors - Ribbon Cutting Opened Prior Lake Ski Area - Minneapolis Star, Jan. 31, 1967 (Note: this is the only news article that I could find.)

Quadna

Rochester Ski Hill* - see Bamber Hills

Rock Hill* - see University of Minnesota Duluth

Royal Oak

Rushford (Mt. Rushford)

Saint John's University (Mt. Carmel)

Saint Mary's College

  • Winona, MN (Winona County) - (St. Mary's University of Minnesota) - below Julius Point on hill just west of the school.
  • o: 1950;
  • Google Maps / Google Earth ???
    44.04481070665975, -91.6961562187784
    Please email - mark@mwlsap.org - if you know a more precise location.
  • Buisse Does 500 Ski Run In :19.3 Time - The Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota) · Thu, Feb 23, 1950
  • New Ski Tow Gives Redmen A Fast Lift - The Winona Republican-Herald (Winona, Minnesota) · Wed, Mar 4, 1953
  • buys equipment from closed Silver Slopes ski area - 1956

Sawtooth Mountains Ski Area

Shingobee Ski Area

Silver Slopes

Singing Hills

Ski Devil

Ski Haven+ - became Mount Kato in 1977 - still open

Ski Kenwood

Ski Strom *

Ski-Tonka

Skidahlen

  • Pelican Rapids, MN (Otter Tail County) - In what is now Maplewood State Park- west central Minnesota
  • o: 1957 ??; c: 1961 (or 1960??)
  • v: 186 ft.
  • Snow Report (Hallaway-Skidahlen) 1958 - one resort? 1957 one resort 1958 SEPARATE 1960
  • Google Maps / Google Earth ???
    (Maplewood State Park)
    46.515740796570945, -95.95133621436293
    Please email - mark@mwlsap.org - if you know a more precise location.

    From Kathy Evavold of the Otter Tail County Historical Society:
    • In materials I looked at today, I have not been able to find the location of Ski Dahlen on any maps. It may be described in 1956 as, “a hill developed by Monson a short distance west of the hill [,] facing Lake Lida.”

      This same 1956 newspaper article says that Hallaway Ski Hill Inc. became part of a new corporation known as Hallaway-Ski Dahlen Inc.

      For a time today I had thought it was located further south, on land owned by Philip Monson, but I am still not certain. In a newspaper article from 1967, it is mentioned as part of an article regarding the proposed development of “Maple Mountain” which appears to have never materialized. That article says, “the area will include what was Ski-dahlen, with three hills to provide runs up to 2400 feet. The vertical drop on the hills is 225, 200, and 190 feet.” This project was dropped after the accidental death of the person who spearheaded the idea, and also with two other large area fundraising projects going on. This area, including Hallaway Ski Hill, became Maplewood State Park, which was first proposed in 1961.

  • The Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, Dec. 30, 1960, p. 9
  • Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Plan, 1965 - p. 251
  • Hallaway-Skidahlen Inc.

Snail Lake

Snobakken Ski Tow

Snofun

Sugar Hills

Tartan Park

Timberlane

Two Harbors (probably NOT the same as Voyageur Skiway; may be the same as Mt. Silver)

  • Two Harbors, MN (Lake County) - northeast Minnesota (don't know exact location), 28 mi. NE of Duluth
  • o: 1958 ?; c: 1964 ?
    on     1958 and 1963 maps
  • Google Maps / Google Earth ???
    (Town of Two Harbors)
    47.03501246314212, -91.67445528911047
    Please email - mark@mwlsap.org - if you know a more precise location.
  • Midwest Ski Areas, Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 7, 1958, p. 52
  • Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Plan, 1965 - p. 251 (Voyageur Skiway)
  • The American Ski Directory, by William Pain, Permabook, 1961

Twin Cities Army Ammunitions Plant (TCAAP) Davis Bros second location

Tyrol Ski Tow - Same location as Mt. Notch (1989)

University of Minnesota Duluth - also called Rock Hill

  • Duluth, MN (St. Louis County) - northeast Minnesota; WR Bagley Nature Center on the University of Minnesota Campus
  • o: 1945   c: 1977 (last mention fall 1976) 
  • 1969 
  • v: 124 ft.
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    46.822208358145694, -92.0893055790312
  • Picture - University of Minnesota Duluth Facebook Page
  • Picture - UMD Libraries Media
  • skimap.org (0 maps)

Val Chatel

Val Croix+ - became Wild Mountain, still open

Val Hulla ??

  • Mankato, MN (Blue Earth) - south central Minnesota
  • on 1963 map
  • Skiers Take to Chartered Busses - Minneapolis Star, Dec, 20, 1963
  • The only reference found is the Dec. 20, 1963 Minneapolis Star article and map. It is doubtful that it actually existed.

  Valley Place Park (Lion's Valley Place Park / Crystal Rope Tow)

  • Crystal, MN - Valley Place Park - 6822 32nd Ave. N.
  • o:   c:  
  • Google Maps / Google Earth
    45.015774486172006, -93.368849198194
  • Ski Minnesota - Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota · Wednesday, November 11, 1987
  • Home For Sale Ad - Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Jan 21, 1979
  • Email from Doug Holsten (Sisters, Oregon): "
    One more to bring to your attention... I have a younger brother who says the City of Crystal (MN) operated a double rope tow at one of their parks. My brother is 9 years younger that I am so guessing his memory is from the early to mid 70s. "
  • Email from John Elmhold, City of Crystal recreation Department:
    "My understanding is there were two tow ropes at Valley Place Park. It is currently a very popular lighted sliding/sledding hill that is operated by the City of Crystal. The rope tow was likely used more for sliding/sledding than for skiing, but has been gone a long time. This park was once called Lions Valley Place Park if that matters." - Crystal.Recreation@crystalmn.gov

Viking Valley

Villa Park (Villa-Arctic Park?)

Voyageur's Skiway* (probably NOT the same as Two Harbors (1958-1963) and Mt. Silver (1951-52 )

Wilton's Hill - See  Little Switzerland

Winter Wonderland

MWLSAP Homepage

 

WORKING ON:


Slope Ski Area / Burnsville Ski Slope - WORKING ON

Google Maps / Google Earth
44.746787552159155, -93.2848338036287 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HxPJVLB1A/

Mike Ahl
It was located north of 42, along the exit ramp from 35 south, approximately where the circuit city, then Best Buy is, it had a tow rope set up you could see from the off ramp, the gas station was always there, if I’m correct, it may also have had a driving range in the summer, smallish red shack,

    • Original Site: The land was home to the Slope Ski Area, a popular local spot for skiing and tubing.
    • Mall Opening: Burnsville Center opened in 1977, becoming a significant retail destination in the suburb.

AI Search - rumor shopping center built on site of former ski area in burnsville mn

The rumor about a shopping center on a former ski hill in Burnsville, MN, likely refers to the
Burnsville Center area's redevelopment, where the old Four Seasons Ski Area land (now near the mall/County Road 42) is being redeveloped into a large mixed-use district, with new retail like an Asian hub (Windfall Group) and an adventure park (Soar N Bounce) replacing defunct mall spaces, not a new mall built on the ski hill itself, but surrounding it as the center evolves. 
Key Points:
      • Four Seasons Ski Area: This was indeed a real ski hill in Burnsville, now part of the larger area redeveloped around the Burnsville Center.
      • Burnsville Center Redevelopment: The surrounding retail (like the old Four Seasons Mall site and parts of the main center) is undergoing major transformation into a modern lifestyle complex.
Inver Grove Heights - WORKING ON
  • 1983
  • https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HxPJVLB1A/
  • There must have been another one out that same way. I know for sure it had about 4-6 runs, toe rope. I had a bad accident there in 1983. Ran into big shrub and somehow lost my ski pole and it flipped around and caught my nose. 15 stitches and 2 hours with the plastic surgeon to sew my nose back together.
Trout Valley  - WORKING ON

Lakeview ski Area  - WORKING ON

Maple Valley - WORKING ON 

Blaine Ski Area ^  also called Mt. Lochness and Lochness Park

Columbia Park - WORKING ON

N. A. A. C. - WORKING ON

Minnehaha Park

Mt Lockness Ski Area - Mt. Lochness - WORKING ON

Lost Valley - WORKING ON

  • Lutsen MN - northeast Minnesota
  • Upper Midwest Ski Facilities Outlined - Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Jan 29, 1950
    • Maybe an early name for Lutsen 280-26 mi = 20 mi south of Sawtooth

MISC 

location of Crestwood Golf and Ski

location of Edina Ski Tow

location of Mt. Silver Silver Creek?

location of New Brighton Rope Tow* (probably same as TCAAP)

location of Prior lake Ski Area

  • email sent to info@scottcountyhistory.org

location of Royal Oak

location of Rushford

location of Saint Mary's College

location of Silver Slopes

location of Skidahlen

location of Snofun

location of Snobakken Ski Tow

location of ToMo

location of Two Harbors

 Lester-Amity Park Ski and Jumping Area

Potter Ridge - probably Powder Ridge

Deer River ski hill - WORKING ON - probably cross country skiing at Blueberry Hill

  • Deer River, MN (Itasca county) - north central Minnesota
  • Deer River Finds Answer to Sports Program Finances - The Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota) · Thu, Aug 7, 1952
  • no mention of tow
  • Deer River Sliding Hill ???
    Google Maps
    47.36472982780351, -93.7616420404384
  • Itasca County Historical Society
    ichs@paulbunyan.net

Lanesboro, MN and Pigeon Falls, WI both ski jumps - WORKING ON

  • Voice of the Outdoors - The Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota) · Sat, Feb 4, 1950
  • Benson Hill ski jump 2 mi N of Lanesboro

Winter Haven - WORKING ON - no mention of rope tow

MWLSAP Homepage

PLANNED, BUT NEVER DEVELOPED


ToMo (Toad Mountain)

In 1978 (Skalka): 1 rope tow, 4 chairlifts ?

Maple Mountain

  • Pelican Rapids, MN
  • Oasis Survey Completion Assured by Funds - The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) · Thu, Apr 11, 1968
  • Enjoying the Outdoors - The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) · Fri, Sep 20, 1968
  • "Maple Mountain" Idea Near Pelican Dropped - The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) · Tue, Dec 17, 1968
  • From Kathy Evavold of the Otter Tail County Historical Society when asked about the location of Ski Dahlen:
    • In materials I looked at today, I have not been able to find the location of Ski Dahlen on any maps. It may be described in 1956 as, “a hill developed by Monson a short distance west of the hill [,] facing Lake Lida.”

      This same 1956 newspaper article says that Hallaway Ski Hill Inc. became part of a new corporation known as Hallaway-Ski Dahlen Inc.

      For a time today I had thought it was located further south, on land owned by Philip Monson, but I am still not certain. In a newspaper article from 1967, it is mentioned as part of an article regarding the proposed development of “Maple Mountain” which appears to have never materialized. That article says, “the area will include what was Ski-dahlen, with three hills to provide runs up to 2400 feet. The vertical drop on the hills is 225, 200, and 190 feet.” This project was dropped after the accidental death of the person who spearheaded the idea, and also with two other large area fundraising projects going on. This area, including Hallaway Ski Hill, became Maplewood State Park, which was first proposed in 1961.

     

 

STILL OPEN (MN)

Afton Alps

  • still OPEN
  • o: Dec. 21, 1963
  • Hastings, MN (Dakota County) - near Twin Cities
  • 44.85759847234265, -92.78780661244495
  • upside down (lodges at the top and bottom)
  • website
  • skimap.org

Andes Tower Hills

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1981;
  • Kensington, MN (Douglas County) - west central Minnesota
  • 45.85096002523959, -95.63048637577316
  • website
  • skimap.org

Buck Hill (formerly Gokey's Hill)

Buena Vista

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1949
  • Bemidji, MN (Beltrami County) - north central Minnesota
  • 47.6579560412524, -94.87885661928132
  • website
  • skimap.org

Chester Bowl Park

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1968
  • Duluth, MN (St. Louis County) - northeast Minnesota
  • 46.81352406345001, -92.09588188212895
  • website
  • skimap.org

Coffee Mill

Como Park Ski Center

  • still OPEN
  • St. Paul, MN (Ramsey County). 1431 North Lexington Parkway
  • o: mid 1950s
  • 44.984163061054616, -93.14614653746744
  • website
  • skimap.org (0 maps)

Detroit Mountain

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1958
  • REOPENED [opened in 1958, closed in 2004, reopened 2014]
  • Detroit, Lakes, MN (Becker County) - northwest Minnesota
  • 46.81311682535846, -95.7832397616269
  • website
  • skimap.org

Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area

Giants Ridge

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1959; closed latke 1970s- early 1980s; reopened: 1983
  • Biwabik, MN (St. Louis County)- northeast Minnesota
  • 47.576520741689926, -92.30317242342365
  • website
  • skimap.org

Hyland Hills Ski Area (formerly called Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area and Mt. Normandale)

Loppet Foundation Alpine Learning Hill - see Theodore Wirth Park

Lutsen Mountains

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1948
  • Lutsen, MN (Cook County) - northeast Minnesota
  • 47.66371297120116, -90.71356643330587
  • o: 1948
  • website
  • skimap.org

Mount Itasca Winter Sports Center

Mount Kato (formerly called Anderson's Hill and Ski Haven)

Mount Ski Gull

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1958
  • Brainard, MN (Crow Wing County) - central Minnesota
  • 46.447586478754474, -94.37796933339938
  • website
  • skimap.org

Powder Ridge Ski Area

  • still OPEN
  • Kimball, MN (Stearns County)- central Minnesota
  • o: 1956
  • 45.343691514508045, -94.30518666299908
  • o: 1954-1955
  • website
  • history
  • skimap.org

Spirit Mountain

  • still OPEN
  • Duluth, MN (St. Louis County) - northeast Minnesota
  • o: 1974
  • 46.718253660041285, -92.21673650454306
  • o: 1974
  • website
  • skimap.org

Steeplechase Ski & Snowboard

Theodore Wirth Park ( also called Wirth Park, Mt. Wirth) now open as Loppet Foundation Alpine Learning Hill

Welch Village Ski Area

  • still OPEN
  • o: 1965
  • Welch, MN (Goodhue County) - southeast Minnesota
  • 44.56073172670905, -92.73040517586912
  • website
  • skimap.org

Wild Mountain Ski Area (formerly Val Croix)

MWLSAP Homepage

1941

The Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis, Minnesota · Sunday, February 02, 1941

1955

Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 4, 1955, p. 52

1958

Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 7, 1958, p. 52

 

1959

Minneapolis Tribune,Sun, Dec 6, 1959

 

1960s

Trollhaugen Troll Facebook Page

 1960

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Dec 11, 1960

1961

Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 17, 1961

 

1962

Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 23, 1962

Map 1962

1963

Minneapolis Star, Dec. 20, 1963, p. 40

Error: Timberlane located on map south of Bemidji was actually in Red Lake Falls, 90 miles northwest of Bemidji

1964

Minneapolis Tribune, Dec. 13, 1964,

1965

Minneapolis, Tribune, Sunday, December 12, 1965

1966

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Nov 13, 1966

1969

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) · Sun, Nov 16, 1969

 

1971

Minneapolis Star, Mon. Nov. 15, 1971, p. 2B

1972

Minneapolis Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota · Sunday, November 12, 1972

1972

Minneapolis Star, Nov. 10, 1972, p. 28  

1974

Minneapolis Star, Nov. 7, 1974  

1975

Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minnesota · Friday, January 24, 1975

1976

Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minnesota · Friday, January 16, 1976

1977

Winona Daily News, Sunday Dec. 11, 1977 p. 25   

1977

Minneapolis Tribune, Nov. 20, 1977

 

1978

Minneapolis Tribune, Nov. 19, 1978

 

1978

St. Cloud Times, Dec 8, 1978

1980

Minneapolis Tribune, Nov. 9, 1980

1986

Post-Bulletin (Rochester, Minnesota) · Sat, Nov 29, 1986

Val Chatel

 

Tyrol Ski Tow

 

Timberlane

 

Ski Devil

 

Mt. Notch - 1989

 

Sugar Hills / Quadna - Ad in SKIING Mag, Spring 1969

 

Moon Valley

 

University of Minnesota Duluth - Mt. Rock

 

Marthaler Ski Area - 1971

 

Skiing in the Great Lake States: the industry and the skier [by] William A. Leuschner. 1970
https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/10567

 

FROM: Ski Magazine, Dec., 1977

 

MWLSAP Homepage

* renamed; closed
+ renamed; open
^ never opened

 MWLSAP.org by http://mwlsap.org is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.