This ski resort sits just outside Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota’s St. Croix River Valley.
With close to 300 skiable acres, Afton Alps provides Twin Cities residents with a great option for a day- or weekend-long ski or snowboard adventure.
Afton Alps has a top elevation of 700 feet, with a vertical drop of 350 feet. There are 50 runs that can be accessed by 18 lifts, with a lift capacity of 20,000 people an hour. Annual snowfall in the area is about 55 inches, and snowmaking covers 100 percent of the terrain at Afton Alps. Night skiing is available until 8 pm Monday through Saturday, and until 6 pm on Sunday. Afton Alps also has an on-site equipment rental operation. There is slope-side dining at the resort, though no on-site lodging.
The season at Afton Alps generally begins in late November and runs until early April. Because of the resort’s ample snowmaking ability, it doesn’t need to rely on natural snowfall. Because of Afton Alps popularity, mid-week and night skiing are good ways to avoid the crowds.
Afton Alps is part of the Epic Pass program. We recommend booking your tickets online well ahead of your desired ski date to ensure availability. Full-day and 3 pm tickets are available.
Adults (13–64) Full-day lift tickets for adults range from $53 to $85, depending on the day of the week and whether or not it’s a holiday. Saturday and Sunday lift tickets generally cost more, but you can save by booking online in advance. Evening ski passes are currently unavailable.
Child (5–12) Kids’ full-day lift tickets at Afton Alps range from $53 to $79, depending on whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, or if it’s a holiday. Senior lift tickets are priced similarly to child lift tickets.
Afton Alps is an Epic Pass , Epic Local Pass , Epic Day Pass and Afton Alps Pass destination.
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Trail Information
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Trail Map
There is a Ski & Ride School that offers private and group lessons for kids and adults. Even if lift tickets are sold out, there may still be availability in the learning programs, so it never hurts to call and ask.
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Where to stayWhile there is no ski-in/ski-out accommodation at Afton Alps, there is plenty of lodging in the nearby town of Afton and the surrounding towns, with some hotels offering stay-and-ski packages. Another option is staying in St. Paul and making the 30-minute drive to the resort.
Where to eatAfton Alps has a number of places to grab a bite to eat on the slopes, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required to dine indoors. The Alps Chalet has everything from breakfast sandwiches to cheeseburgers and pizzas, while The Crest offers up Wisconsin cheese curds, the famous Epic Burger, and pulled pork sandwiches. There are also a number of casual, family-friendly restaurants in downtown Afton.
How to get thereThe closest major airport to Afton Alps is Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, about 30 miles away. There are rental car operations and a shuttle service available at the airport.
By car, Afton Alps is about 45 minutes from Minneapolis, 30 minutes from Saint Paul, and about two and half hours from Duluth. Once in Afton, there are three taxi companies that serve the area, however transportation is easier with a personal vehicle.
| Welch Village | Buck Hill | Hyland | Trollhaugen | Wild Mountain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical Drop (ft) | 360 | 309 | 175 | 280 | 300 |
| Skiable Area (ac) | 45 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
| Number of Trails | 50 | 16 | 14 | 24 | 26 |
| READ MORE | READ MORE | READ MORE | READ MORE | READ MORE |
