Around Town: New Year's Eve Events in Twin Cities Metro Area

Looking for a way to ring in the new year? Patch has some great suggestions.

Winter Wonderland: Downhill Skiing Options Close to the City

For many Minnesotans, celebrating the season means hitting the slopes.

Though real snow was a bit late in making its way to Minnesota this year, that doesn’t mean the many ski hills in and around the Twin Cities aren’t ready for the season to start. There are several options for downhill skiing within an hour’s drive of Richfield. Let’s look at some of them: Buck Hill Ski Area 15400 Buck Hill Rd. Burnsville, MN 55337 612-435-7174 Boasting a 310-foot vertical drop and 40 skiable acres, Buck Hill is the south metro’s go-to skiing spot. The ski season there opened the Monday before Thanksgiving, meaning that plenty of skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing fun awaits. Daytime lift tickets at Buck Hill start at $20, and daily lessons are offered at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to students age 6 and up of all …

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Minnesota Patch Ski Team Kicks-Off Season

Three Patchers head to Buck Hill in Burnsville to get some practice runs and racing in before the first competition.

Some of the Minnesota Patch Ski Team members, along with other local media members, hit the slopes at Buck Hill in Burnsville this weekend to begin its competition season with a few practice runs and races. While we are always working hard to bring our Patch towns great community news coverage, as community members as well, we like to have some fun, too! Now I hadn't skied in 11 years and for Northfield Patch's Corey Butler it had been about eight or so, but Troy Melhus, one of our excellent regional editors, could be considered a pro in my opinion. He is going to take our team to the top! Enjoy!

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