Mountain Biking Minnesota's Ski Slopes

If you're looking for a physically challenging, technically demanding ride this year, hit the ski slopes.  Minnesota has some great ski resorts that open up for mountain bikers in the late spring through the fall.  These trails will test riders with tough climbs, fast descents, sharp turns, roots and rocks. You will definitely get a workout, plus the scenery is great.

Afton Alps-Hastings
Length:  7+ Miles
Type:  Singletrack
Level:  Intermediate to Advanced 
Terrain:  Wooded, grassy ski slopes 
Season:  May-October
Hours:   Sunrise - Sunset
Open to the public:  Yes
Cost:  $9/day-$110/season pass
Phone:  651-436-5245 or 800-328-1328
Address:  6600 Peller Ave. S.  Hastings, MN 55033

Map  Website
 
Buck Hill-Burnsville
Length:  3 Mile lap (Course changes)
Type:  Singletrack course
Level:  Intermediate to Advanced
Terrain:  Mostly wooded, grassy ski slopes
Season:  May 10-August 2
Hours:  Races start at 6:30 pm, registration 5:00-6:15 pm Thursdays
Open to the public: No, Penn Cycle "Thursday Night at the Races" held.  Public welcome to register and participate.
Cost:  $5/Beginner class (approximately 20-minute race), $10/ Recreational (40 minute race) or Advanced (1-hour) class
Phone:  Penn Cycle-Bloomington 952-888-1427
Address:  15400 Buck Hill Road   Burnsville. MN 55306

There will be two series of races:
Series One:  May 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7, 14.
Series Two:  June 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26, and August 2.

Click here to see "One lap at Buck" video.
Click here to see Kare 11 story on Thursday Night at the Races.

Penn Cycle's Thursday Night at the Races webpage

Giants Ridge Ski Area-Biwabik
Length:  24+ miles of trails
Type:  Singletrack, cross country ski trails, Snowmobile trails and abandoned logging roads
Level:  Beginner to Advanced
Terrain:  Grassy ski trails, wooded, gravel
Season:  May-October
Hours:  Sunrise - Sunset?
Open to the public:  Yes
Cost:  $5/day-$50 season pass
Phone:   800-688-7669 or 218-865-8000
Address:  6325 Wynne Creek Drive  Biwabik, MN 55708

Map  Website

Mont du Lac-Superior, WI
Length:  5 Mile loop
Type:  Singletrack
Level:  Intermediate
Terrain:  Mostly wooded, grassy ski slopes
Season:  May-October
Hours:  10:00 am-dusk
Open to the public:  Yes
Cost:  $5/day-$50/season pass
Phone:  218-626-3797 or 888-626-3797
Address:  3125 Mont du Lac Drive  Superior, WI 54880

Map  Website
 
Mount Kato Ski Area-Mankato
Length:  7+ Miles
Type:  Singletrack
Level:  Beginner to Advanced
Terrain:  80% wooded, grassy ski slopes
Season:  May-October
Hours:  Sunrise - Sunset
Open to the public:  Yes
Cost:  $8/day-$110/season pass (also good at Afton Alps)
Phone:  507-625-3363 or 800-668-5286
Address:  20461 Hwy 66  Mankato, MN 56001


Map  Website
 
Spirit Mountain-Duluth
Length:  10 Miles
Type:  Singletrack & Fire roads
Level:  Intermediate to Advanced
Terrain:  Wooded, grassy ski slopes, gravel
Season:  May-October
Hours:  Sunrise - Sunset
Open to the public:  Yes
Cost:  Free
Phone:  218-628-2891 or 800-642-6377
Address:  9500 Spirit Mountain Place  Duluth, MN 55810

Map  Trail Info

So do away with those boring and flat mountain bike trails.  Head to one of these ski slopes near you for some varied challenging terrain, tough climbs and fast vertical drops to get your adrenaline flowing.