Buck Hill - Burnsville, Minnesota - Ski Area

Buck Hill is a ski resort located about nine miles south of 494 on Interstate 35 in Buck Hill Road, Burnsville, Minnesota. It is approximately 16 miles from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where visitors can hire a taxi or car to get to the resort. Opened in 1954, Buck Hill is one of three ski areas located within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with the other two being Afton Alps and Hyland Ski and Snowboard area.

Visitors here can enjoy the ski, snowboard and tubing offered at Buck Hill and of the 16 runs here 34 percent are for beginners, 35 percent are intermediate, 16 percent advanced and a further 16 percent are expert level. The longest run is one fifth of a mile and there are six surface lifts, two quad chairs and one triple chair. Should visitors want to try one of the other ski resorts, Hyland is just eight miles away and Afton Alps about 35 miles from Buck Hill.

Lessons are offered every day at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 7pm to students aged six and up of all ability levels and the ski resort also offers a 4.30pm lesson at weekends and holidays. The length of the lesson depends on the number of students in the class, so if the class consists of less than two students, then the class runs for one hour, and 90 minutes for three or more students. Various ski programs are provided for juniors and adults with timed slalom skiing, racing, snowboarding and aerials amongst other things.

Snow tubing is a relatively new craze here where participants jump on the specially designed tube, ride the lift to the top and choose from one of several chutes to slide down to the bottom. Children under five years of age will not be allowed to try snow tubing and five to six year olds must ride with an adult. Alternatively visitors can take a relaxing break by the campfire and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, hot dogs or some popcorn from the snack bar.

There are several places to stay in the area near to Buck Hill with the Hampton Inn and the Fairfield Inn at Nicollet Court both less than one and a half miles away. The AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Lakeville, Holiday Inn and Best Value Inn Lakesville are less than two miles away from the ski resort. Visitors to the resort may also be looking for pleasant places to dine so there are a number of restaurants less than two miles away such as Roasted Pear, Buca Di Peppo and Giusseppe's.

Visitors looking for a night out and some dancing can try Bogart's Nightclub, which is located about five miles from Buck Hill in Apple Valley near Lakesville. Other attractions nearby include Minnesota Zoo, which is a fun place to take the kids and is only seven miles away. Normandale Japanese Garden at Bloomington is a small, beautiful and peaceful garden well worth visiting too.