Meet Jeff Lenz. He is a local dad who likes to spend time with his family outdoors. Right now in this winter season, he likes to ski with his girls.
I met Jeff at my 20th high school reunion where I grew up with Kassie his wife. Reconnecting with Kassie and meeting her husband were some of the best parts of the reunion. When I learned that they lived in South Minneapolis (and we laughed at how we both were small town girls who wanted to live in an actual city), I asked Jeff if he wouldn’t mind sharing how he and his family spend time together.
He was happy to share some of their family’s favorite hang outs, especially since we should enjoy as much of the winter as we can.
Jeff and Kassie have two little girls: Tallie is eight and Libby is four. Since they live near Lake Nokomis, it makes sense that in the summer they love to go there for swimming. They also love Wabun Picnic Area and Splashpad for playtime and Capps for breakfast. Though they are hearty Minnesotans, they enjoy skating indoors at the Richfield Ice Arena.
We just got a family season pass at Afton Alps! We had to save up for it, but Kassie, Tallie, and I love Snowboarding and Skiiing so we decided it was worth it. The best thing about a season pass is you can go for just a few hours after school or on the weekend and not feel like you wasted your money on lift tickets (which for a family of 4 is not cheap).
If your family is interested in skiing, February is a great month to go. The temperatures generally aren’t sub-zero and there is still lots of snow on the ground!
Jeff mentioned Afton Alps. So here are the details about Afton and other well-loved family skiing destinations.
Afton Alps Ski Resort
Hastings, MN 55033
Single Day Lift Tickets can range from $26-$51. The best time to go is Monday-Thursday after 3:00 p.m.
Season Passes are no longer for sale this year, but you can still sign up for Preferred Program. The Preferred Program Perks include $5 discount off/ticket for up to four tickets. The perks are also applied if you travel to one of the Vail Resorts in Colorado, Utah and Tahoe.
Rentals start at $27.
Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area
2232 100th Avenue
Dresser WI 54009
Phone: 
651-433-5141 or 715-755-2955
Trollhaugen is a great adventure in the winter and the summer. In the winter, they offer snowtubing, downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Single Day Lift Tickets range from $26-$49.
Ski Rentals range between $23-$42
depending on your size (adult or child) and the type of equipment you would like.
Wild Mountain-Taylors Falls Recreation
37200 Wild Mountain Rd
Taylors Falls MN 55084
Phone: 651-465-6315
This Saturday, February 6, 2016, join the fun at Friends and Family Days.
- Adult life tickets–$36
- Children’s life tickets– $25
- Rentals–$15
Go to their website and click on the logo for the special coupon.
Buck Hill
If you want to ski like Lindsey Vonn, a great place to start is where she first began–Buck Hill.
Kids Only Park Jam
Check-in is at Noon
Awards presented at 2:30 p.m.
Any snowboarder who is 12 and under is welcome to join the competition.
Hyland Lake Ski Area
8800 Chalet Road
Bloomington, MN 55438
Phone: 763.694.7800
Hyland Lake Ski Area was the first ski area in the Twin Cities to embrace snowboarding and even changed its name to reflect snowboarding. However, the public wasn’t ready for it and it is now once again simply called Hyland Lake Ski Area.
Single Day Lift Tickets are between $17 and $35.
Rental packages are $22 for the full set-up.
Welch Village
26685 County Road 7 Blvd, PO Box 146
Welch, MN 55089
Phone: 651-258-4567
Located south of the Twin Cities, Welch Village has declared everyday a Family Day. For two family members, two lift tickets are $100 and for each additional member after that, it’s $30.
Single Day Lift Tickets are between $32 and $54.
Rentals range from $20-$40
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