Huff Hills Ski Area
4.7(160)google
4.3(6)yelp
SkiingYouth-FriendlyWinter SnowOutdoorThrillingMountain
Overview
Huff Hills Ski Area is a ski resort located sixteen miles south of Mandan, North Dakota. It was established in 1993 on the former site of the defunct Twilight Hills ski area, which operated during the 1960s.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeThe winter ski season spans from late December through early March. Securing a weekend morning lift slot at 9:30 AM sharp upon opening in January or February is highly recommended; this guarantees pristine, freshly groomed northern powder. Skiing down the ridges provides an unmatched, jaw-dropping panoramic view of the frozen Missouri River winding through snow-dusted valleys.
Getting ThereSituated in the rugged bluffs 16 miles south of Mandan; personal vehicles are essential. Travel south from the metro area via the scenic highway ND-1806 S (Missouri River Scenic Byway) for approximately 20 minutes; the ski area's landmark chairlifts and A-frame base lodge will unfold clearly on your right side with a massive free gravel parking field.
Travel Tips
- Huff Hills relies on natural snowfall and operates exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-December to mid-March; check the early morning snow report before driving.
- Situated near the Missouri River valley, bitter winter winds can trigger rapid wind chill; high-grade face masks, goggles, and technical layers are mandatory to prevent frostbite.
- The rental shop experiences severe morning bottlenecks; arrive 30 minutes before the 9:30 AM lift launch, and park oversized rigs in the lower overflow lot.
Reviews
Positive
- Featuring two main lifts, it provides the best downhill skiing in central ND, making it a wonderful family-friendly spot to train young skiers.
- The lift tickets and rentals are very reasonably priced, and the helpful staff makes the rental and fitting process smooth and easy.
- The cute little lodge features a warm fire and a great view, offering refreshing and affordable food like waffles, treats, and hot drinks.
- They organize awesome Night Jam sessions and winter carnivals, fostering a strong community vibe and long-lasting family memories.
Heads up
- Due to local geography, the runs are short and featureless compared to major alpine resorts, lacking extensive steep terrain or forest glades.
- In seasons with low natural snowfall, the open terrain becomes highly restricted, and some spots can get thin and icy despite snowmaking efforts.
- The lift infrastructure is standard and aging without wind-shields, meaning you can get extremely cold on the chairlift during windy plains days.
- Driving here from surrounding cities like Minot takes up to 3 hours, and the immediate area around the slopes lacks diverse hotel lodging options.