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The Minnesota Thread

16K views 106 replies 28 participants last post by  Deacon 
#1 ·
I don't know about the rest of you but the snow showers we got last week got me amped to ride.

This will be my first season up-north so I'm pretty exited for the new(hopefully improved) riding opportunities that will bring.

What are all of your plans for the season?
 
#69 ·
I just wish Granite Peak didn't groom everything, everyday. Obviously their parks are mainly why snowboarders go there, so those need to get handled daily. On days when they do get good snow and those are rare, they still groom the whole hill except the few half ass glades and a few things they call "chutes" they have, even the bottoms of the chutes are groomed. They should just do the parks and the lower half of the hill, and only groom 3-4 blacks on the eastern and western edges, and not go anywhere near the chutes or the glades. They just groom so damn much, they don't have an awful lot of ice problems, but it's around and their base is almost like concrete right now. Last Sunday it was really sketchy in the morning around 25, nice in the middle of the day it was like 31-33, and as it began to drop below freezing again it got kinda shitty again. Going to Mount Bohemia this weekend, I'm calling LES on thursday-saturday up there, could be the last chance for any real midwest "powder". Fingers crossed.
 
#72 ·
It's the only thing people in the midwest know... groomed runs that is. At my home resort at Trollhaugen in Dresser, WI, we get people who complain if it's not groomed (usually skiers); especially after an overnight snowfall. They simply don't know how to ride in "natural" snow. If we do happen to get 4+ inches or more during overnight snowfall, there are a few areas on the sides of runs that the groomer will leave open; but never an entire run (except for maybe 1 of them). It's just so sad. However, I do like me a good concrete (not icy... there's a difference) day every now and then; it's those days I sharpen the edges and get out and really crank on it.

A group of us instructors are heading to Blackjack / Indianhead / Whitecap in March. I hoping that one of those days we are blessed with some fresh overnight snow!

Have fun at Mount Bohemia!
 
#75 ·
I've always had pretty good luck at whitecap, but I've only been to indianhead once and it was okay, there just isn't enough there for me to really get into it and justify the drive.
 
#76 ·
We got 5" here in Plymouth on Monday night. Seemed like a little bit less, maybe 3" at Afton when I rode last night. Was pretty crustified already, but there were a few stashes to be found. Sounds like another 1-2" overnight tonight and then the possibility (fingers crossed) for 6"+ on Sunday.

Anyone know how much Lutsen or Giants got? I'd like to take a weekend up there at some point, depending on the conditions.
 
#80 ·
And the disappointment continues. Looks like winter is pretty much over since this week is going to be in the mid 40s all week, even up north. Was supposed to have this weekend at Lutsen but Sat is going to be 45 and rain on Sunday. Welch is closing in 2 weeks according to their website

Spring blows
 
#81 ·
Lutsen will still have snow. It will be all groomers, but they'll have coverage. They stockpile it all season so they can last until April every year.

It may not be ideal, but it's no reason not to go.
 
#82 ·
Fairly new to MN

What's up everyone! My name is Brian. Moved to MN 2yrs ago from Conneticut ! I'm used ridding in Vermont and all over the upper north east ! Did not know what to expect coming to the Midwest. The first year was an epic welcome mn winter in 2010!:) Been lookin for people to ride with for the up coming season! Deffinetly impressed with how they do it at the resort like spirit mtn best half pipe I've ridden in a while ! Use to the ice coast as we call it with sketchy landings! Lol any I ride alot at Welch village ! Won't be going out a ton this season though, just had my son Matthew this past May! Love every minute of every day with the little guy!! Any ways I rambling on here. Lol just wanted to stop in and introduce my self! Hit me up! Later
 
#86 ·
Minnesota Shredders.

Lutsen Mountains

I went last year and will be going this year. It's a great time. The slopes are usually pretty busy, but the concerts make for an action packed weekend up in Lutsen. SBF meetup if we get a few that are going.
 
#89 ·
I'll be riding Thurs-Saturday if you want to meet up. We'll have a group of at least 6 I think. I just wish I didn't have to make a 12 hour drive to get up there.

I just pray that Mystery is open. I was so bummed that I didn't get to cruise Sugar Maple last year.
 
#88 ·
Hey everyone, currently living in Milwaukee but will be moving up to Minneapolis in January for about 6 months, looking forward to the season ahead and would definitely be down for a weekend trip/meet-up if one is planned.

I was considering a season pass somewhere but after looking at prices at this point unless I go every single weekend (I won't hold my breath for conditions being good enough to make that worthwhile) that I will just hop around and pay for day passes.
 
#93 ·
Coming from central IA where would you guys recommend going, we did Afton several years ago but have never tried Welch Village. Would only go for one day probably drive up and back same day.

any thoughts appreciated

I ski and my 12 yrd old snowboards, he does not terrain but likes long runs
 
#95 ·
Afton is the best hill south of Duluth IMO. Welch is alright, the runs seem a little shorter than Afton, welch also has a few more flats to get stuck on also. It's probably the only other hill that would be worth the drive for you guys.

Depending on where your at in IA you may want to check out some of the Wisconsin hills also.
 
#97 ·
Thanks for the replies, it looks like Welch is cheaper on the lift ticket side and I can buy them on-line before I leave for $35

One problem I think my son is losing interest in the sport, he is tired of going down the little hill in Iowa. He loved Colorado two years ago but that is a long haul and expensive.

I would be driving from Des Moines IA

I am not sure what to do but try other hills north of us .

Thanks again
 
#99 ·
I don't think Welch is that great and it's another hour north of the cities. Afton Alps is alright but I think it flattens out as much as Welch does if you're just going down the hill. The terrain park changes don't seem to be matching up to the "$10M in improvements" hype. There's a hot dog truck and a yurt now, though. Personally, I prefer Buck Hill.

As a MN native I think it's pretty easy to lose interest in snowboarding unless you get into the terrain park. It's just too flat. That said it's actually pretty good training for beginning terrain park because you can get in tons of runs and the obstacles aren't too big.
 
#100 ·
They built the yurt, the new LZ chalet, put all new kitchens in all the other chalets, made the holding pond substantially larger, took out the tubing hill, added a tow rope system, added a crapload of new snowmakers, added the rf system, remodeled the patrol hut into the new guest services hut, and contracted SPT to construct their new park lines. I'd say it was very well spent money. I've hear that next year they're going to replace the road before it falls into hte ravine.
 
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