Going Skiing in Minnesota: Mt. Kato or Afton Alps

[Al_4_State]

Well, if you're going to Montana, you might as well make the trek to Whistler Blackcomb in BC.

Colorado is better than Whistler Blackcomb. At least when I've gone.

Colorado is world class, period. Vail, A-Basin, Breck, Copper, Keystone, Beaver Creek, and Loveland are all within 40 minutes of the Dillon/Silverthorne area. You just aren't going to get that kind of selection anywhere else.

Idaho is really good too. Bogus Basin, which is a little resort near Boise is one of the best under the radars places I've been. We went the year of the Humanitarian Bowl, and then the next. Fantastic snow. Sun Valley is good too, but very isolated.

 

[Clonefan94]

well if your going to BC you might as well go to the Swiss alps, logically its not much farther than afton.

I'm with you, and the plane flight to Europe is going to be shorter time wise than the drive to BC.

 

[mj4cy]

You can get to Breck/Keystone in about 11 hours from Des Moines. Well worth the drive. I've been to each place twice and still haven't come close to seeing all the runs there.

 

[ISpyCy]

What's wrong with Mt. Crescent?

 

[MrTippet]

Another vote for Afton here.

 

[Al_4_State]

On the original point, I'd probably take Afton over Mt. Kato though. More runs, close to Minneapolis, and what has to be the highest chair lift-to-ski run ratio on the planet.

 

[FarminCy]

FIFY

HaHa, that brings back some memories.

That old VCR tape got pretty wore out after all the trips.

 

[FarminCy]

Colorado is better than Whistler Blackcomb. At least when I've gone.

Colorado is world class, period. Vail, A-Basin, Breck, Copper, Keystone, Beaver Creek, and Loveland are all within 40 minutes of the Dillon/Silverthorne area. You just aren't going to get that kind of selection anywhere else.

Idaho is really good too. Bogus Basin, which is a little resort near Boise is one of the best under the radars places I've been. We went the year of the Humanitarian Bowl, and then the next. Fantastic snow. Sun Valley is good too, but very isolated.

That is one thing a lot of people over look. You can set up base in Breck or Silverthorne and have just about any type of skiing you want within 40 miles.

One thing I love about Summit county is the night skiing in Keystone, have done many trips where we stay in Keystone and do day trips to Copper, Breck, Vail, etc, and night ski at Keystone. If you can stand the cold some of the best skiing happens at night there if you can find where the groomers are running. I know it's not for everyone but I love it, fast skiing and zero crowds.

I spent a winter in Steamboat and while I loved it I also didn't realize how much I would miss having all the Summit county resorts close to me.

 

[FarminCy]

And to answer the OP's question if you are wanting to go skiing in Minnesota do yourself a favor and just go ski Lutsen. Cold as hell normally but some pretty good skiing. Plus Minnesota's north shore is tough to beat, one of my favorite places.

 

[Cycho1]

Afton is far superior than CO. At Afton the slopes are better because they are icy, so you don't have to worry about fresh powder being in the way. Plus, Afton runs are much shorter so you won't get worn out by the time you get to the ski lift, unlike the CO runs that seem to take forever. Another plus with the shorter runs at Afton is that you can ski the entire hill in less than half a day, unlike CO where you can ski multiple days w/o hitting every slope. Enjoy!

 

[ketelmeister]

Actually, Lutsen is fantastic, and Lutsen Lodge is an historic place to stay. And the lift tickets are a fraction of colorado in price.

 

[ThatllDoCy]

Afton is far superior than CO. At Afton the slopes are better because they are icy, so you don't have to worry about fresh powder being in the way. Plus, Afton runs are much shorter so you won't get worn out by the time you get to the ski lift, unlike the CO runs that seem to take forever. Another plus with the shorter runs at Afton is that you can ski the entire hill in less than half a day, unlike CO where you can ski multiple days w/o hitting every slope. Enjoy!

That is the finest example of making lemonade I have ever seen. Bravo!

I find it hilarious when I go out West and the guys in the shops are talking about how it is too icy to ski. What? I grew up on Buck Hill and Afton so icy is sort of my bread and butter.

 

[VTXCyRyD]

And to answer the OP's question if you are wanting to go skiing in Minnesota do yourself a favor and just go ski Lutsen. Cold as hell normally but some pretty good skiing. Plus Minnesota's north shore is tough to beat, one of my favorite places.

Lutsen is about as far as Colorado. Ames to Lutsen probably would take an 8 hour drive. Ames to Silverthorn/Dillon is about 10.5. And if your in a car for 8 hours anyway whats a couple more?

 

[Hawkeye11en1]

Actually, Lutsen is fantastic, and Lutsen Lodge is an historic place to stay. And the lift tickets are a fraction of colorado in price.

There is a reason for that.

 

[ISU_phoria]

Afton is much better than Mt. Kato. If you do make it up to the Cities, you could try both Buck hill and Afton, they're not too far apart.

Hope you have a great time, which ever way you decide.

 

[FarminCy]

Lutsen is about as far as Colorado. Ames to Lutsen probably would take an 8 hour drive. Ames to Silverthorn/Dillon is about 10.5. And if your in a car for 8 hours anyway whats a couple more?

Lutsen is about a 6 1/2 hour drive and is about 350 miles closer than Dillon. I have done both many times and if you are looking for a cheap quick trip you can do over a two day weekend Lutsen is much easier to do.

Not arguing which has better skiing but to say that Lutsen is just as far away as Summit county isn't accurate.

 

[Entropy]

Actually, Lutsen is fantastic, and Lutsen Lodge is an historic place to stay. And the lift tickets are a fraction of colorado in price.

This.

Lots of great places to eat up that way as well. Go to Grand Marais and hit up the Angry Trout (if it's open). Sven and Ole's is always a good stop. I like the Coho Cafe in Tofte and Betty's Pies is an absolute must.

 

[Al_4_State]

Des Moines to Lutsen is about 8 hours with typical gas/bathroom stops and Silverthorne is about 10.

I'd take Summit County from Des Moines every single time.

That said, for the price Lutsen is totally worth it. It's a fraction of the Colorado price and it's solid skiing. The snow there isn't usually icy like southern Minnesota. The views of Lake Superior are great. Growing up in far northern Iowa, it was a nice alternative that could be done in a day (a ridiculously long one however) from Rochester area.

 

[GMackey32]

This.

Lots of great places to eat up that way as well. Go to Grand Marais and hit up the Angry Trout (if it's open). Sven and Ole's is always a good stop. I like the Coho Cafe in Tofte and Betty's Pies is an absolute must.

Grand Marais is awesome. I'll be up there in less than 3 months. I can't wait!

 

[Cy4Patriots]

Well, I might go to CO next year, but this year trying to stick to Minny.

Welch Village looks bigger than Afton even.