Wild Mountain
Wild Mountain is a ski area and snow tubing park in the winter and a waterpark during the summer. It is located in Amador Township, Chisago County, near Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
| Wild Mountain | |
|---|---|
| Location | Amador Township, Chisago County, Minnesota |
| Nearest major city | Taylors Falls, Minnesota |
| Opened | December 1960 |
| Trails | 26 |
| Longest run | 5,000 feet |
| Lift system | 4 chairlifts, 4 rope tows, 1 surface lift |
| Terrain parks | 4 |
| Snowfall | 40 inches |
| Snowmaking | Yes, 100% coverage |
| Night skiing | Yes |
| Website | http://www.wildmountain.com/ |
Overview
During the winter months, Wild Mountain delivers 26 runs and 4 terrain parks across 100 acres of terrain. The ski area has 4 chairlifts, 4 rope tows and one conveyor. Wild Mountain enjoys a vintage base lodge which was originally constructed in 1960 and has had numerous additions.[1] The base lodge was upgraded between 2021 and 2023 including a new bar, new flooring, updated bathrooms, new deck and an updated entrance.
Wild Mountain is owned by Sara Larsen (President). The general manager is Nathan Hakseth.
Geography
Wild Mountain is located one hour northeast of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. It is located 7 miles north of Taylors Falls.[2]
Historical Opening Dates
Wild Mountain is known nationally for its early opening dates for skiing and snowboarding. Below is a historical list of its opening dates.
| Year | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 to 1981 | no records | no records |
| 1982 | October 18[3] | Earliest opening since opening of ski area in 1960. |
| 1983 & 1984 | no records | no records |
| 1985 | October 31 | |
| 1986 | no records | no records |
| 1987 | November 9 | $8 ticket |
| 1988 | October 26 | $7 ticket |
| 1989 | November 4 | $14 ticket, closed April 9 |
| 1990 | October 19 | |
| 1991 | October 18 | 1st ski area in the U.S to open. |
| 1993 | October 31 | |
| 1994 | November 15 | |
| 1995 | November 3 | |
| 1996 | no records | no records |
| 1997 | October 27 | |
| 1998 | November 4 | |
| 1999 | November 3 | $20 ticket. November 20–26, Daisy trail only for $6 |
| 2000 | November 15 | |
| 2001 | November 20 | $20 ticket, Open November 24–27, November 30-5, then December 7 and beyond |
| 2002 | October 23 | $10 ticket |
| 2003 | November 6 | $12 ticket for Expressway, Daisy and Sunshine |
| 2004 | November 11 | Snow on the ground by November 8, $6 Daisy ticket |
| 2005 | November 17 | $15 ticket for Daisy and Sunshine |
| 2006 | November 1 | $15 ticket for Expressway and Daisy. 100% open on January 3 |
| 2007 | November 7 | $16 ticket for Expressway |
| 2008 | October 28 | $16 ticket for Expressway |
| 2009 | November 15 | $16 ticket for Expressway |
| 2010 | October 29 | $15 ticket for Expressway and Daisy through October 31. Reopened November 5–8, then November 14 and beyond. 100% open on November 27. First area in northern hemisphere to have 100% coverage.[4] |
| 2011 | October 29 | $10 ticket for Front Stage, Expressway added on November 18. Rained on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend |
| 2012 | October 7 [5] | First ski area in U.S. to open.[6] $18 for Daisy and Front Stage. 100% open on November 29 - First in North America to achieve that. |
| 2013 | October 22[7] | $15 ticket or $10 with coupon. Front Stage trail open. |
| 2014 | October 31[8] | $20 ticket for Front Stage. Added Expressway and Dandy on November 1 |
| 2015 | November 20[9] | Front Stage, Dandy and Expressway for $20. 100% open on December 30. |
| 2016 | November 12 [10] | $20 ticket for Front Stage, Dandy and Expressway |
| 2017 | October 29[11] | $20 ticket for Front Stage trail |
| 2018 | October 21[12] | $25 ticket for Front Stage |
| 2019 | October 29[13] | $26 ticket for Front Stage |
| 2020 | October 19 | First ski area in North America to open.[14] $25 ticket for Front Stage. |
| 2021 | November 13 | $15 ticket for Front Stage and Dandy |
| 2022 | October 18 | First ski area in North America to open.[15][16] $25 ticket for Front Stage. |
| 2023 | October 30[17] | Closed November 14–25, then reopened for remainder of season.[18] |
| 2024 | November 28 | Opened with Expressway, Front Stage, Dandy, Chair 1 and Front Stage / Dandy Ropes $35 ticket |
References
- ^ "Wild Mountain - Capital Improvements". wildmountain.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Falls, Mailing Address: 401 North Hamilton Street St Croix; Us, WI 54024 Phone: 715 483-2274 Contact. "Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "2012-13 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Season Opens…in Minnesota | First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine". October 7, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Minnesota Ski Area Now Fully Open in November | First Tracks!! Online Ski Magazine". November 27, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "WILD MOUNTAIN IS FIRST SKI AREA TO OPEN IN NATION - Ski Area Management". www.saminfo.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Zemens, David (October 12, 2012). "Wild Mountain/Taylor Falls - First Ski Area to Open for 2012/2013 Winter". agnarchy.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ O'Neill, Donny (October 23, 2013). "Wild Mountain, Minnesota opens for the 2013/14 ski season". FREESKIER. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Slopes Open For Ski Season At Wild Mountain - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. October 31, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Wild Mountain Opens For The Season - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. November 20, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Wallner, Chris (November 12, 2016). "6 Ski Resorts Are OPEN In North America This Weekend:". SnowBrains. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "After October Snow, Wild Mountain Opens For Weekend Skiing - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. October 29, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Wild Mountain Opens To Skiers Sunday - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. October 21, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Wild Mountain Opens For Skiing, Snowboarding Tuesday - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. October 28, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Dave. "Wild Mountain, Mt. Norquay First North American Resorts to Open - Ski Area Management". www.saminfo.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ BringMeTheNews (October 18, 2022). "Wild Mountain is first ski hill to open for season in North America". Bring Me The News. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "Wild Mountain in Minnesota opens for skiing". FOX 9. October 18, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ SnowBrains (October 31, 2023). "Wild Mountain, MN, Opened Yesterday for the Season". SnowBrains. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (November 1, 2023). Wild Mountain Ski Area opens for the season. Retrieved January 3, 2025 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)