Why Minnesota’s Best Ski Resort is Perfect for Families

On the third hole of The Legend Golf Course at Giants Ridge, there’s a sand trap that looks like a massive footprint. It’s so big it could only have been left by the 4-season recreation area’s namesake goliath, who made deep impressions all over the landscape and pushed up high ridges in his wake.

According to legend, at least.

The scenic topography forged by the giant became known as Minnesota’s Iron Range, perfectly suited for mining, world-class golf and the state’s top-rated ski resort. Giants Ridge is the place to go for high-quality snow and the best outdoor winter recreation in the Midwest.

Nearly 70 years ago, around the time the Iron Range ran out of high-grade natural ores and began production of taconite pellets, Giants Ridge opened with one downhill run and a single-line rope tow. Today, the recreation area has more than 200 acres of skiable terrain including three dozen Alpine runs with 500 feet of vertical drop. There are many kilometers of groomed and lighted Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, two terrain parks, three snow tubing lanes and fat tire snow biking paths, too!

5 Reasons Giants Ridge Is A Family Favorite Ski Destination

Giants Ridge not only is one of the largest ski areas in the Midwest, it’s also a family favorite for lots of reasons:

Reliable Snow and Exceptional Grooming– Giants Ridge’s far north location brings consistently cold winter weather, creating dependable snow conditions all season. Combined with industry leading snowmaking and world class grooming, the result is smooth, high quality runs that families can count on every visit.

Affordable Skiing at Giants Ridge – Lift tickets at Giants Ridge are incredibly affordable compared to other ski areas. On top of that, kids ages 6 and under ski free! You can get full-day or half-day passes and night lift tickets are available for skiing under the lights, too.

Easy Equipment Rental at Giants Ridge – You can bring your own gear or get set up right on site with everything you need. Equipment for Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking is available for rent at Giants Ridge.

Fun For All Ages And Skill Levels at Giants Ridge – Whether you’re an experienced Alpine skier looking for black diamond runs or a novice just hoping to stay upright the whole way down the hill, Giants Ridge has well-groomed corduroy that’s right for you. There’s also a beginner hill with a disco tube, a colorfully-lit, covered conveyor lift that kids love. It feels like a ride all its own! The Mountain Sports School at Giants Ridge offers private and group lessons for skiers of all skill levels as well as ski and snowboard camps and adaptive ski programs, too.

A Place To Warm Up At Giants Ridge – When it’s time to come out of the cold, the new Pool & Sauna Haus at Giants Ridge is the place to thaw out and soothe your muscles. The all-season wellness retreat right across from the resort’s main entrance features a lap pool, hot tub area, two saunas, locker rooms and a cozy fireplace lounge.

Lodging and Dining at Giants Ridge

You can get a day pass to try out Giants Ridge or book a few nights in the area, either in the all-suites lodge right on site, the resort’s private condos or in one of the many places to stay at unique Iron Range destinations nearby. It won’t take long to find out why Minnesotans voted Giants Ridge the state’s Best Weekend Destination!

For food, Giants Ridge is home to Burnt Onion Kitchen & Brews, which has a rotating chophouse menu and live music most weekends. New this season, The Burnt Onion will be offering breakfast from 7-11am. Of course, there also are distinctive and delicious restaurants all over the Iron Range including The Hive, an eclectic coffee shop with sandwiches, smoothies and baked goods in Aurora, and The Whistling Bird in Gilbert with upscale Caribbean food paired with whimsical décor, reggae music and colorful tropical drinks.

Spring, Summer and Fall at Giants Ridge

Each spring the snow eventually melts at Giants Ridge, and that marks a transition to different kinds of outdoor recreation. The Quarry, which routes past an open mining pit, is Minnesota’s No. 1-ranked public golf course and routinely listed among the top 20 public golf courses in the country. Meanwhile, The Legend was one of Golf Digest’s 10 Best New Upscale Public Courses in the Nation when it opened and continues to garner honors for both playability and affordability. Together, the two courses have turned the Iron Range into one of America’s top golf destinations.

Yet, hitting the links is just one of many activities to enjoy in spring, summer and fall at Giants Ridge. The ski hill transforms into a lift-served mountain bike park with routes for riders of all abilities along 10 miles of cross-country trails and 10 purpose-built gravity trails with rock gardens and jumps. There are a half dozen picturesque hiking paths through the property, the paved Mesabi Trail for bicycles that runs for 164 miles and lakes to explore by kayak, canoe or standup paddleboard.

Giants Ridge is also home to a 32-foot-tall rock-climbing wall, the longest disc golf course in Minnesota and scenic chairlift rides to the top of the mountain with overlooks of Wynne Lake and the Superior National Forest.

Discover Giants Ridge: A Resort Experience Area Like No Other