Powder Ridge Ski Area

Driving across the flat farmland and low rolling prairies of central Minnesota may not make you think of downhill skiing, but there is a hill on the plain, and on that hill is way more winter recreation fun than you'd ever imagine. On that hill is Powder Ridge ski and snow tube recreation area. We didn't try the snow tubes but there were lots of people tubing and they looked happy. There were several 5-6 chutes or lanes and a magic carpet ride to the top. It looked like a lot of fun. The basics. This is a swell small to mid size ski area. They have a nice chalet with ski rental, lockers, tables and benches, fast service food and hot chocolate, and an upstairs bar and lounge with nice selection of local taps and other table service food.They have a nice bunny hill with easy to use (and helpful staff) J-Bar lift for beginners. Much easier than the T-Bar I learned on at Welch Village many years ago. Lots of lessons for new skiers. The main ski area is small, but has more challenge and variety than it looks like. The quad chairlift takes you pretty much to the top, w access to all runs and that's a good place to start because it's also in the middle of the other two chair lifts. There are some mighty steep and fast runs for racers and speedsters. There are some smooth blue runs for leisurely skiers like me. And there is 1-2 terrain park areas for flip and jump and trick ski and board people. This ski area is right size because it's large enough to go out on your own and find runs that match your ski level (beginner intermediate or expert) and also small enough to catch up with someone if you get separated. From the lodge you could wait inside in warmth while your skier enjoys the cold. It's hard to get lost here. That's a huge plus for family skiing. If you want the Rockies or even Spirit Mountain (Duluth) or Afton Alps, then this place will seem small for sure. If you want to ski on good snow with a friendly staff and are in Central Minnesota then this is the place for you.

Overall nice place, for a Minnesotan this isn't a bad place to go. You can rent skis or snowboard, also have the option of tubing. They have a small cafeteria or you can stop by their restaurant.

As an avid skier and an East coast native, I had no desire to go skiing in Minnesota but my friends dragged me along. I didn't have high expectations for Powder Ridge and I'm glad I kept my standards low. I'm so spoiled with all the greats mountains back east and I can hardly say this is a mountain as you can ski straight done all the trails. It's more like a glorified hill. The ski lifts don't even have a place to rest your feet on! This is a good place to learn to ski or snowboard but that's about it. There's maybe 8 trails total and the terrain park is pretty tiny. It's very family friendly and has a ski lodge where you can get food. There's also a place to go tubbing. I can't say I'd ever want to come back here and ski.

Brought my teen and tween nephews for the Lazer tubing... we had fun, yet more cautions for " do not walk on the Carpet " and such may be helpful... I did "police" my boys as they are respectful and listen... but the barking from the bottom of the carpet Don't walk... not helpful... sorry no one listened... all just want to hasten to get to the top to slide down again......hat tip off to the top of the hill guys! Though (looking down hill) last hill on the Right... inconsistent.... was told that it could only be 2 at a time... me and my 2 nephews couldn't go down at the same time... yet I noted 3+groups going down.... before and after us... super confused now....and the snow boarders right next to the tube hill were very rude... I heard the same 2 kids (I would gauge 14-16) on 2 separate occasions crying out "Pussies,... Pussies, you all are pussies!" I really don't say much but I was disturbed so the knock off 1+star since I couldn't get a 1/2... especially since tubing is supposed to be the 5+ age range....