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Buck Hill Ski Area
Category: Hotels & Travel Ski Resorts Ski Resorts [Edit]
15400 Buck Hill RdBurnsville, MN 55306
(952) 435-7174
10 reviews for Buck Hill Ski Area
10 reviews in English
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Review from Brenda B.
Twin Cities, MN
1/10/2012
Very impressed with this little hill - never been. It reminded me of the two areas I grew up skiing at: Birch Park and Snowcrest, both bygone ski area in western Wisconsin. I love the older chalet's decidedly 1960s vibe, slanted beams, stained glass etc.
I went Saturday morning for the $20 9 am - noon deal. Since it was 40+ degrees the evening before, I had some trepidation about the shape of the slopes but was pleasantly surprised. It had near frozen overnight so I knew that if they knew what they were doing all would be fine. And the slope conditions far exceeded my expectations.
I always forget that even tho there is no snow on the ground these ski hills do just great with grooming and snowmaking AND IT IS ACTUALLY BETTER, because local ski areas are NOT busy when there is little snow but it actually makes for the greatest days on the slopes - NO CROWDS!
The local water tower is right behind the hill and someone on the lift told me that they had traded north slopes for some water rights. At any rate, there was only one icy spot on one of the hills!
Here at Lindsey Vonn's home hill I felt like an expert on the black diamonds and spent most of my time on them, pretty easy and good for confidence building. I talked with folks who were regulars, one was an 81 year old guy (who looked about 60) who was born in Switzerland and had been skiing for 70 years.
Since I was without my boys, I luxed it up a little and went into the bar for a bloody and a sandwich. They were not busy but messed up the food order and ended up giving me a free salad and another bloody! Well I figured I'd better hang out a bit so went just up the road to the huge Unique Thrift Store and spent a couple hours, where I got some alternate ski poles (still using my 1978 poles that I bent for the first time last year) for $5 and some gortex slippers for $2 .
This could be a new Saturday morning ritual. -
Review from Peat B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very nice people. Great time tubing. Decent selection of brew and pretty okay grub!
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Review from Chimeren P.
Minneapolis, MN
12/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I can only speak for the tubing and it was my 1st time tubing so I can't judge if this place is better than any others but I sure did have a blast. So much so that I'm planning on going back again next week.
The price was not bad only $15 for two hours and after two hours your butt is about done with being thumped about, trust me! I love that there is a tow ramp where all you have to do is sit and they'll tow your lazy self up the hill. Also love that there is an indoor restroom which is very convenient even if it takes you 5 minutes to get out of all your layers to use it.
The hot dog & hot cocoa stand was cheap, quick and more importantly right next to the large fire-pit seating area so you can enjoy your goodies while you defrost. The fire pit is also in viewing distance of the tubing hill so you can take a break and still watch your kids or friends while warming up.
It was very busy when we went and my friend who had been there before said it was the busiest he's seen it, but I didn't feel like I had to wait very long to go down. I got in more than my fill of downhill G-forces and I can't wait to go back and take some friends!Listed in: Great ways to spend an…
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Review from Greg A.
Minneapolis, MN
1/1/2011
overpriced lift tickets. so so (at best) hills.. not worth the drive out there to overpay to board and ski with the suburb children. Decent in Minnesota standards though for people who have never ski or boarded anywhere else
I'd rather spend a 5 hour drive, go to upper michigan to ironwood there the three neighboring towns bost 3 ski hills. Big Powderhorn, Blackjack and Indian head SCHWING! -
Review from Eric B.
12/24/2009
On our recent drive up to the Twin Cities, we passed a very busy Buck Hill Ski Area both coming and going. Buck Hill is very convenient for Metro skiers, has plenty of chair lifts (and a rope tow) and runs (including night skiing and good beginners options) to make this area worth a trip.
At the same time, I think that Afton Alps or Welch Village has more to offer (in terms of variety and difficulty) and the relatively "bare" hill in the middle of the developed suburbs puts an interesting urban edge on this alpine experience. However, as basic as Buck Hill may look, this ski area has produced some accomplished professional skiers over the years. -
Review from Mandy J.
1/23/2011
There are too aspects to this ski area...
1. Tubing and
2. Skiing/Boarding
I would rate each experience totally different.
1. TUBING-- 5 stars: I brought 30 middle school student to the tubing park on the coldest day of the year and we had a blast! Going down the incredibly large hill brought me back to childhood--I was giggling like a school girl. You go fast! I was a little scared, but completely happy. It was just as much fun for me as a young adult as it was for my 12 year old friends.
2. SKIING/BOARDING--2 stars: A really disappointing ski area. I love snowboarding because I love being in nature, speeding down a evergreen coated mountain. Buck is the urban boarding experience, which is not my style. You literally are boarding toward a high way... not exactly serene. There are only a few runs and they are really short. -
Review from Brenna s.
Minneapolis, MN
4/5/2009
Considering its Minnesota & a metro area this place is great. Easy to get to & easy to leave from. All the lifts are maintained well, the staff is friendly & efficient.
I have only been snowboarding a couple of times, but they had plenty of runs to choose from. They have a magic carpet lift that is really cool & easy for the first timers.
Sunday night special is the best. -
Review from Josh E.
Brooklyn, NY
2/25/2010
I'm a big mountain guy. It's tough for me to even look at a small hill and not scoff, but I found myself at Buck Hill last night looking to get some more skiing in regardless of mountain size. So, I checked my big mountain bias at the door and just tried to have fun. And, I did. It wasn't crowded. The lift got us to the top of the paltry vertical rise in not much time. Matt G and I zipped down in no time and we repeated until we got kicked off at 9:30. The snow felt natural, but it was pretty packed/icy. The facilities are fine and the lifts are in good shape. I think I'm good to go here for a little after work fun. It seems like it's a great place for young kids, and big kids for that matter, to go to learn how to ski and to give them something active to do during the winter, after school. I wish I had something like this nearby growing up in the mid-atlantic.
If I had to drive further, and wait in longer lines, it would quickly become not worth the effort, but it's only about 10 minutes away and the lines were non-existent at 8pm. I'd rather be 10 minutes away from Vail, but at least I'm 10 minutes from something. I'll go back for a few quick turns before it all melts. -
Review from Joe M.
Burnsville, MN
5/5/2009
Buck hill is in a very convenient metro location with ample chair lifts and runs for being such a small area. It is great for people who are new to skiing or boarding, as there are not too many runs to get lost on, and the runs are really not that tough. The trails are well groomed and the staff is nice enough. I do get rather bored with the runs at Buck Hill after an hour or two, since I am not a new skier.
If you are looking for more of an adventure skiing in the Metro area, I would recommend Afton Alps, as it is larger and has many more runs for your money. -
Review from Liz B.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2010
I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to snowboarding so this place is the perfect spot to practice my turns and other cool moves like falling on my ass or sliding down the mountain with my snowboard horizontally aligned to the hill. I also love the vibe here. It reminds me of home sweet home (California baby). The people are uber nice and really chillaxed and I love that. People are willing to help you out too. We met this guy there that just wanted to help us out with our snowboarding moves. We tried the restaurant/bar and while it wasn't the best food experience, it filled our hungry stomach.
