welch village ski & snowboard area

Welch has been great over the years as a local ski hill. The additional of the back bowl a few years ago was a very welcome upgrade. It has a very nice feel and really enjoy skiing back there. They have also upgrade the MaddJaxx bar/restaurant and the Black Diamond bar in the main chalet. Both serve great bloody marys and great mirco brews.

We do a ski weekend with several neighborhood families every year or so. We go to ski area within driving distance of Minneapolis.We've done Welch a few times. It's pretty pricy, for it's size.If you can go when there are no crowds, it's a value since you can get lots of runs in. The chalet tends to fill up quickly, so if you want to get a spot you had better get there early.They have a separate chalet for over 21. There are a number of good beers on tap for a mid day break. There is also a bar in the main chalet and a place to buy food. We bring our own food, so I can't rate it.

Welch is a fun ski hill for Twin City folk looking for a family friendly ski environment within a short drive of the cities. As far as vertical, Welch is probably as good as you are going to get within 45 minutes of the cities. The hill is littered with blue and green runs in front of the main chalet. The bunny hill is GREAT for beginners because it is not very steep, but it is long – which emphasizes a beginner’s time on a slope instead of down time on a lift. There are several expert runs on the east mountain. The back bowl looks amazing for more advanced skiers, however, it has been closed on all the occasions we have been there (note: on the days it is open, it does shut down early). Snow conditions this year have been average. Given the warm temps and rain, they have still kept up with snow making to have all the runs open (except for the back bowl) - which is highly appreciated. We have noticed that it can get icy, but much of that can be attributed to snowboarders scraping the powder and groomed snow off the top layer. The chalet by the main entrance has a nice little bar that is fairly quiet. The main room has tons of tables for folks to eat and rest at. However, the tables get staked out VERY early in the morning by people throwing all their bags down to reserve their spot. This becomes a problem for all the people that want to sit down and eat, but can't because bags occupy all the tables and the owners of the bags are still on the ski hill. For a better spot to wet your thirst, ski to down to the East Mtn Chalet/MADD JAXX bar. Great little ski bar with indoor and outdoor seating that does not necessarily cater to the family cafeteria crowds.Welch has a tremendous opportunity to build out a ski school/private lesson program that is on par with/or better than their competition at Afton Alps or Buck Hill. As it stands now, their child educational programs are in complete disarray. The “check-in” process had long lines and frustrated parents (including us) because of missing registrations, redundant paperwork – for each child, and missing payment information (we registered and pre-paid for 5 kids online, however, upon arrival, only two of the five were pre-registered none showed that we had pre-paid). Not to mention, this building for the ski-school is way too small to house check-in, rentals and waiting area – it is packed in like sardines during check-in and there are limited places for kids to get ready to ski – not to mention the temperature being very warm. One of the problems is that they seem to start ski lessons for all age groups at the same time which causes mass confusion between all the kids, ski instructors and parents hoping to snap some last minute pictures of little Jimmy. The two hour lessons our kids participated in really lasted about 70-80 minutes due to herding all the kids into the right groups, equipment checks, distributing safety bibs and announcements. Our oldest children (Ages 6 & 7) seemed to do well with the lessons and after the three week program (plus additional private lessons last winter at Buck Hill), can ski alone down several of the green runs. Our younger children (ages 5 & 4) seemed to progress in the two week program (which never left the magic carpet area). At the end of their program, we were told the younger kids were doing VERY well and more than ready for private lessons (1:1 with an instructor) which included the ski lift and bunny hill. We signed them up for the following week. When checking in for private lessons, they had no record of the lessons on their calendar (even though I had pre-paid). They cobbled together a team that included 1 ski instructor and 2 helpers. The one child with the instructor seemed to do well. The children with the helpers really struggled. At one point, the kids got to the bottom of the bunny hill and requested to go up the hill again, to which the helpers suggested they "take a break" instead. Really? I am paying for kids who want to learn how to ski and your “helpers” are either bored, tired or just don’t care if our kids get better at skiing. During the two hour private lesson, two of our kids only took the chair lift once and skied the bunny hill once. The rest of the time was spent taking breaks. To Welch’s credit, they have extended an offer to us for an additional ski lesson at a reduced rate.

We just made our annual day trip to Welch Village and as always had a great time. Nice variety of runs and conditions were surprisingly good after just one snowfall (3-5 inches the day before) over the whole month of December. Last several years I've bought our tickets during their July 1st preseason sale, and will continue to do so, so I know we can continue to enjoy a trip to Welch every season, it has easily become our favorite area out of all the choices in the Twin Cities, and gives my kids a different place to ski other than where they go with their ski clubs.

Welch is a good place for a day trip. I've make the trek from Rochester, Mn to Welch hundreds of times over the past 20+ years. Either for night skiing, racing or simply a weekend AM of fun.Varied terrain for all kinds of skiers. If you like steeps, the Back Bowl is "ok" but frankly too short. One way in, one lift out. So, unless someone I'm with wants to go back there, I've simply avoided it as there are more fun runs to make.As with most Midwest resorts, elevation change is short but there is still something for everyone. If you like some good green cruisers where you can make some turns, there are several. Their best run is Bakkeylyka in my opinion. Varied pitch, steep on skiers right, more gentle black diamond on the left. Several lifts to take you back up the slope to do laps. Open at night as well. I've spent may years on Dan's Dive and that is also a great run, however, it can be busy and the quad lift running next to the run can be busy. At night, well worth the ski down.If you go on a weekend, get there when they open to find a spot to park. Parking by Madd Jaxx is limited and if you get there early, perhaps before open, you can back up to the slopes for ski in/out. Good for tailgating which is what many people do.Food wise, meh...better than it used to be but still expensive. Main chalet cafeteria is ok. Madd Jaxx is ok too, but very crowded. Think bar/grill and thus fairly busy. Weeknights, both locations are pretty open.Best time to ski? Weeknights. Most of the resort is open but not all. Back bowl is not as are other main runs (no lights). But, you'll have the place to yourself most nights.Ski wise...great place to go. As with other reviews, the staff is generally nice. I've personally rarely experienced issues over the 20+ years. I would simply check out other reviews for that as my experience is generally good. Many cases great, but in others, just "acceptable" for employees.Need a lesson? They do have lessons available. Great ski school and they do care about wanting you to learn or improve. I know instructors go out of their way at times to help individuals in group lessons. Welch is the only school that uses the PMTS system (look up Harald Harb on the web). I've taught that system and do feel it is better than PSIA for never-ever skiers. If you are a beginner or intermediate skier, PMTS can help you. It has helped me.Longer learning period and thus a longer initial lesson, but you'll be a better skier in the long run. No wedge skiing, faster access to steeper greens and less time on the bunny slope! I've taught both methods and like PMTS better than what PSIA does. PSIA is more recognized so up to you.

I remember this place being better in previous years. Seems like the management has gone downhill, staff seems to be vaguely distant and or not very personable. On several occasions, while buying our tickets, in the cafeteria and also at Madd Jaxx bar, the employees were either talking to another employee while we were waiting or seemed distracted by something more important, leaving us feeling a little ignored, it was rather rude. Rule number one, pay attention to the customer first, look them in the eye and make them feel like you want them there.As far as the skiing goes, there doesn't seem to be much going on. It struck us as a place for skiers who like to cruise or maybe some of the race crowd, which is fine because that's mainly what we do.But if we were snowboarders or park skiers I think I'd be appalled at the lack of terrain and freestyle opportunities. When I was there a few years ago, there were some giant jumps, boxes and rails on the front hill as well as a halfpipe. Then another year there was just an ungroomed, neglected halfpipe tucked away on the east side and a few boxes and rails on the bunny hill. What happened?It seemed like the place was just getting interesting and now has regressed into a hole in the wall. They must have decided it was more in their interest to attract the skier only family segment than a varied crowd wanting more action, but it seems like the up and coming kids wont want to go there for long if they don't cultivate a little more variety and excitement. The place just feels stodgy.I also went the first year they opened up the back bowl and was sorely disappointed. A few narrow flat runs followed by about a five second steep drop, truly underwhelming. Keep in mind its also only open on weekends. I guess I have been comparing it to Afton Alps in my mind, where we have skied quite a lot. The back bowl is nothing like the Highlands at Afton. Aftons Landing Zone terrain park is in another dimension altogether, even the offerings at Buck Hill for Freestyle are better than what Welch has going on.I really feel there are better places around the Twin Cities. Welch just seems a little cliquish and stuck up while not really offering anything memorable. Even the employees at Afton, which is much bigger and now a corporate owned area, are friendlier and offer better customer service. I can see if Welch is trying to go for a more laid back get-away kind of feel, but for $49 for a lift ticket we feel its overpriced, there's just not enough value there to warrant the drive out again anytime soon.

our family has never experienced such a rhude staff at a ski resort . Why would a family want to bring their loved ones to be hollered at from the older men that were running the lifts. The youngest man that was there was the only nice one. we witness other families one mother get yelled at that her child stopped the lift and that she should of told him that to slow it down well he was like this all day and everybody else was talking about it and when we went to report it to the staff they just said it was busy more and less they oked it for it to be alright that is when we left . They also seemed crabby all day. when others witnessed and commented to how they didn't like the older men that should of known better what do they expect to get paid for . well if this is how they treat customers they will not have anybody back which we will never and hopefully others are warned by reading this . we did what we could and will never be back ruined our family day. So take our advice stay away this is no place for children and adults to be treated like this. Other travelers beware and go somewhere else unless your used to getting treated like crap from the older men that are on the chairlifts that are yelling at the customers .

Welch maybe doesn't have the best terrain park in the area, but it has 100 times better terrain for Skiing and Snowboarding. The most challenging runs at other areas (based on Fall Line and Grade) are not as challenging as many of Welch's Blue runs, and it's signature hill Look Out.The Best Chair Lifts in the area. Welch might not hold a candle to going out West, but unless you are driving to the far NE part of the state, this is your best choice. Prices are more than reasonable, and it has the Best Season Pass value in the State of Minnesota.If you ski or board for variety of terrain, and want to challenge yourself, this is the only place to do it. If you like to race, well this is where the best racers hang out, (without being paid to do so).If you just want to do tricks in the Terrain Park, you might have better options. Food, Bar, pure Skiing, the Most Vertical in the TC area, the most Black Runs. Out west, this resort would not rate, but it is 5 Stars for the Twin Cities Area.

What a quiet small town!.Beautiful part of the state of MN.Nice river and surrounding bluff landscape.Not a huge hill, but perfect for a morning or afternoonfamily getaway on the downhill slopes. Two ski chaletsand nice eastside outdoor bbq/grill for winter cookout!Hit the slopes in the morning for the best snow conditions!

The management at welch is the worst I've ever seen, they do not and will not cater to the future of the snow sports. Their terrain park is the worst DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. It is also very expensive.

I learned how to snowboard at Welch by taking a private lesson and it was the best money I ever spent. I spent as much time there as possible on the weekends and had a great time. There are tons of hills for all types of skiers/snowboarders of all levels.

Good ski resort. There are a lot of different slopes to try so there isn't much of a wait during high season. Slopes are maintained okay, not the best, but having several slopes to try helps....

The chair lifts will take up the majority of your time which is fine but the price isn't much cheaper than a real ski area. Drop the price or increase the benefits of going.

Welch Village !! i have been coming here for years. i believe it's the best ski area in the metro. always good snow and the runs have a good veritcal to them. it's may not be long but it the best we have in the area. good tune up for heading west.

This place is great. Took the Boy Scouts there for the 3 day weekend. Plenty of runs for all abilities. Stayed in the cabins...like a ski in/ ski out from out West without the 12 hour drive!