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Although not nearly as mountainous or alpine as their names would suggest, Afton Alps, Buck Hill, Hyland Ski/Snowboard Area, Wild Mountain, and Welch Village are five downhill ski and snowboard areas within an hour’s drive of campus. All are now officially open and offer full service as of the first weekend in December, with the exception of limited operation at Wild Mountain.

Efforts have been made to ensure full seasons of outdoor enjoyment at these areas, and most are open from early December until late March thanks much in part to snow machines and basic chemistry.

“Ninety-eight percent of the snow base is always man-made snow,” said Stephanie Prink of Welch Village Resort, “snow from heaven and hoses, as we say.”

In all respects, as long as weather conditions keep snow intact on the slopes, warmer weather usually equals good business for these ski destinations.

Wild Mountain/Taylors Falls Recreation Vice President Amy Frischmon is hopeful for the season, snow or not. “On years that there is little snow in peoples’ backyards we tend to have a great year because most people in MN know that if conditions are at all marginal, Wild Mountain is the place to ski/ride!”

Prink echoes Frischmon’s enthusiasm: “last year was one [Welch Village] of our best ever because people are generally wimpy and don’t like cold, excuse the adjective.”
Buck Hill has prepared for a potentially warm winter by installing four tower-mounted snow guns to their snow tubing park, and new snowmaking pipelines along both sides of the snowboard half-pipe to ensure continuous winter use.

While the late 1990s trend of snowboarding may be tapering off, the outdoor recreation areas still cater to skiing alternatives. All offer runs exclusive to snowboarders with jumps, mounds of snow accessible from four sides (fun boxes), elevated rails, and half pipes (snow basins with rounded walls).

Frischmon commented on the Wild Mountain patron composition. “Early season we are about 60/40 snowboarders to skiers. During the heart of the season we are about 35/65 snowboarders to skiers,” she said.
For more relaxed amusement, snow tubing may be a more viable option. For a cheap date or just the thrill of sliding on snow, Afton Alps, Wild Mountain and Buck Hill all offer snow tubing for under $20.

All areas have skis and snowboards available for rent, and all can be found online. Additional information for each of the nearest ski/snowboard areas is given below, but a listing of all Minnesota locations can be found at: www.skicentral.com/minnesota.html.

Afton Alps Recreation Area
Contact: 6600 Peller Ave. S. Hastings, MN 55033 Ph. 651-436-5245 http://www.aftonalps.com/index.php
Distance from Hamline: 35 min, 27 miles
Est. lift ticket cost: $25 Weekday, $35 weekend
Additional offerings: College Night Wednesday: $3.00 off Lift & $5.00 off Rental

Buck Hill
Contact: 15400 Buck Hill Rd, Burnsville, MN 55306, US Ph. 952-435-7174 www.buckhill.com Distance from Hamline: 29 min, 21 miles
Est. lift ticket cost: $24 weekdays, $35 weekends Additional offerings: Snow tubingHyland Ski Area
Contact: 8800 Chalet Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55438, Ph. 763-694-7800 hylandski@threeriversparkdistrict.org.
Distance from Hamline: 26 min, 19 miles
Est. lift ticket cost: Open-close $28, noon-6pm $25
Additional offerings: Jan. 21 and Feb 4. Hosting US Ski and Snowboard Association Arial Competition (8:30 a.m. registration, 10:30 a.m. start)

Welch Village Ski Area
Contact: 26685 County 7 Blvd, Welch, MN 55089 Ph. 651-258-4567 www.welchvillage.com
Distance from Hamline: 59 min, 47 miles
Est. lift ticket cost: $42, $32 night (5 p.m.-cl)
Additional offerings: $99 college season passčunlimited use

Wild Mountain Ski Area
Contact: 37200 Wild Mountain Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084 Ph. 651-257-3550 www.wildmountain.com
Distance from Hamline: 70 min, 59 miles
Est. lift ticket cost: $38 day, $26 night (4 p.m.-cl Mon-Sat, 3 p.m.-cl Sun)
Additional offerings: Snow tubing, military discount, variety of racing teams to join