Wild River Collective

Hey you!

How’s the weather? Seriously, it’s really cold out there. Yesterday it was 41°F and sunny, today we started the day at 0°F and a wind-chill making it feel like -22°F degrees. There you have it, that’s why we all talk about the weather; it’s like a big roller coaster topic with all the highs and lows.

Maybe today isn’t your favorite weather to get out and enjoy winter but it is perfect for staying warm inside and planning for an upcoming ski day! 

If you are looking for a ski hill or snowboard adventure park less than 1 hour from the twin cities and only 10 minutes from Taylor’s Falls, a great option is Trollhaugen in Dresser, Wisconsin.  This family operated outdoor recreation area has a little bit of everything to make it a perfect spot for a quick day trip to meet up with family and friends.

I recently look my kids Trollhaugen a couple times and we had a great experience.  This place is easy to get to and offers plenty of free parking.  It’s a smaller size ski area and definitely convenient to get in and out of with your kids and all their gear. The classic chalet offers a step back in time in a good way and the staff was also very friendly and super helpful which made for a great overall experience.

TICKETS

All tickets must be purchased in advance online. When you get to Trollhaugen you can take your email confirmation to the ticket counter to exchange it for lift tickets.  This step was very simple and quick seeing as we had already entered all the information online for lift tickets.  The online reservation process was a bit more time consuming the first time to reserve the tickets as you need to sign waivers for each child but it does save your information if you go again the online process becomes much quicker.

RENTALS

If you need to rent, the rental process was fairly smooth as well for us but it can get pretty busy on weekends and holidays.  There was a line when we arrived but by the time I filled out all our rental paperwork we were already to the front of the line.  That is something to note if you have not skied before and plan to rent, you do have to fill out the paperwork by hand for each person getting rentals which can take some time.  You need to know each person’s height, weight and shoe size which can be a challenge with multiple kids and the pressure of a line can create a bit of a frantic moment as you get your equipment if you’re not prepared for this.  Tip: verify everyone’s current shoe size, height and weight before leaving home and enter the information into your phone for quick access if needed.  The rental package includes boots, skis, helmet and poles so you will have everything needed without any additional fees.  More information on their rental packages can be found here.

THE HILL

Trollhaugen has a level of skiing for everyone.  They offer a very beginner hill called Minibakken, where you will find tow ropes and is perfect for those who are just getting started or want a place to get reacquainted with their skis.  There is also a terrain park and another smaller run just a little more advanced than the Minibakken, which is also accessed by a tow rope.  These are all located right near the entrance to make it easy on those just getting started.  They have three, 4-person chair lifts operating so even on a busy holidays or weekends they keep you moving back up the hill relatively quickly.  There is a mix of beginner (green circle), intermediate (blue square) and advanced (black diamond) trails within the park to offer everyone in your group a run that fits their comfort level.

MAIN LODGE

Within the main lodge you will find lots of spots to come in and warm up or refuel during your time at the ski hill. On the lower level there are numerous picnic style tables that can be used to enjoy your own food if you brought your own food. There is also a snack bar on this level offering a mix of snacks and lunch options for purchase. If you head upstairs to Kaffe Stuga or Skolhaugen lounge you will find additional seating with views of the hills, a fireplace, a larger menu, free refills on soda and a full bar. This is a convenient option if want to meet up with your group and take a break from skiing. Just note that they do not allow outside food to be brought into the upper level dining areas so enjoy that on the lower level.

FIRST TIME SKIERS

Check out this list provided by Trollhaugen with great tips for first time skiers to help make your first visit a great experience.

DEALS

Take advantage of Trollhaugen’s weekday special with discounts offered Monday-Thursday (excluding holidays).

Overall we had a great day trip to Trollhaugen and would definitely recommend it for families with kids of all ages and abilities. There is no doubt that winter is here…..I hope you get a chance to get out there and embrace it on the slopes! ❄️