3 Best Ski Hills Near Grand Forks, ND

Looking for an opportunity to get out of Grand Forks for the day and enjoy some hills for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or even cross-country skiing? Check out these 3 options that are all less than 2.5 hours drive from Grand Forks! 1) Frostfire (Walhalla, ND) Frostfire is located 2 hours northwest of Grand Forks near the beautiful Pembina Gorge State Park. They offer 10 runs based off their single-chair lift for snowboarders and skiers and the longest run has over a 350 foot vertical drop. Frostfire also offers a tube run for kids and many snowmobile paths nearby and in the Pembina Gorge State Park.  The warming house offers a place to relax and order food at Howatt Hangar. If you're looking for something different, the nearby town of Walhalla offers a few other food options with Water's Family Restaurant & Bakery, Chizzy's, or Jackson's Bar.  2) Bueno Vista (Bemidji, MN) Bueno Vista Ski Park is a 2-hours drive from Grand Forks, located 20 minutes north of Bemidji. Bueno Vista offers 16 runs for skiers, snowboarders, and tubers based off 4 chairlifts and a beginners tow. Their longest run spans over 2,000 ft and over 230 veritcal drop (yes, Minnesota is pretty flat too, haha). They also offer over 15 miles of cross-country skiing trails with other snowmobile paths located nearby! The 3-story chalet offers a great warming house complete with fireplaces and a cafe. If you are looking for other restaurants or hotels, a quick 20-minute drive into Bemidji give you countless options. You can also search on VRBO or AirBnB for some great cabins nearby! 3) Detroit Mountain Ski Resort (Detroit Lakes, MN) 2.5 hours to the southeast of Grand Forks is Detroit Mountain Recreation Area. Boasting almost 20 runs spanned over multiple lifts and speed tows, Detroit Mountain is the largest on this list. They offer skiing, snowboarding, tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even fat biking.  After a long day on the hill, sit down at the Mountain Cafe for a bite to eat or Ace's Wild Saloon for a drink. If you are wanting something more, grab a meal on Detroit Lakes at Zorbaz Pizza, Lakeside Tavern & Brewery, or El Loro Mexican Restaurant.  Make your plans to get out during our long winters and enjoy these wonderful winter wonderland options until spring hits!

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Grand Forks, ND Best Kid-Friendly Activities

Wanting to get your kids out of the home and enjoy a day around Grand Forks? Check out the 5 best options in town to enjoy quality time with your loved ones!   1) Splasher's of the South Seas Water Park at CanadInn Splashers of the South Seas Water Park is a fun-filled family water park located at Canad Inn in Grand Forks, ND. This year-around attraction features 40,000 sq ft of indoor pools, slides, and a lazy river. From twisting tube rides to relaxing lazy rivers, Splashers of the South Seas has something for everyone. The hotel also has a wide range of food and beverage options available for guests to indulge in during their visit. After working up an appetite, visitors can grab a bite to eat at one of the several restaurants located inside the Canad Inn. They can choose from burgers, pizza, salads and more! There's also an ice cream parlor if you're looking for a cold, sweet treat.   2) Northern Air Family Fun Center Northern Air Family Fun Center in Grand Forks, ND is the perfect place for a memorable family outing. The indoor amusement park offers an array of attractions that are sure to entertain kids and adults alike. From the trampoline park, laster tag, virtual reality games, full arcade, indoor go-carts or even axe throwing for the adults, there's something for everyone!  The arcade features the latest and greatest video games, from classic games to interactive experiences. Kids can compete on their favorite racing or sports video game or try out some redemption games for tickets and prizes. Play a round of axe throwing or hop around on the indoor trampoline park. The go karts provide endless amounts of fun on their winding tracks with varying speed levels. In between all the excitement, parents can relax and grab a bite to eat in the Pit Stop Kitchen and Bar. The wide selection of food includes pizza, burgers, fries, and salads with craft beer. The location the whole family will enjoy!   3) Red Ray Lanes Red Ray Lanes in Grand Forks, ND is the perfect spot for a night out. With 24 lanes, there's plenty of room to bowl with friends and family—whether it be for a casual game or a league tournament. The lanes are well maintained and up-to-date with modern scoring systems. If you get hungry during the game, Red Ray Lanes has a full-service bar and kitchen offering delicious meals and drinks. The venue also hosts special events such as Cosmic Bowling and Live Music Nights. Red Ray Lanes makes it easy to book lanes, whether you’re booking an individual lane or reserving an area for larger groups, get those bowling shoes on and have some fun! 4) River Cities Speedway River Cities Speedway is a high-speed thrill ride for all motorsports fans. Originally a 1/2 mile track built in the 1920's and dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the now 1/4 mile oval-shaped track has been in existance since the 1950's. World Famous for being one of the shortest and fastest dirt tracks in the USA, it forces drivers to keep their engines reved high as there is no straigtaways for shifting creating a loud spectacular atmosphere.  River Cities Speedway hosts various races throughout the summer including Sprint Cars, Street Stocks, Late Models and even the World of Outlaws. If you are a car or action fan, you have to spend a Friday night at "the races"!   5) The Greenway The Greater Grand Forks Greenway is a network of trails and pathways that run through the cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, MN. It offers residents and visitors alike access to outdoor recreation opportunities such as biking, walking, running, bird-watching and more. The Greenway links parks, neighborhoods and both cities together running along the Red River and has multiple crossing points along the way. The over 2,200 acre Greenway is made up of over 20 miles of paved, concrete and natural trails that are open year-round, even in the winter months. The paths are well-marked with signage and maps making it easy to explore on foot or by bike. There are also several scenic overlooks along the route where visitors can take in spectacular views of Grand Forks and the surrounding area. Whatever your kids may find interesting, Grand Forks and East Grand Forks have activities for them to go, explore, and have fun!

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