Resort Comparison

Buck Hill vs Spirit Mountain

The Verdict

Spirit Mountain leads with 5 wins

Best for Families

Spirit Mountain

Ski school from age 3

Best Snowfall

Spirit Mountain

47.6" average season

Best Terrain

Spirit Mountain

Impressive mountain

Best Value

Buck Hill

$0 day pass

Easiest Access

Spirit Mountain

0.3h from DLH

Best Village Vibe

Spirit Mountain

Pleasant base area

Buck Hill

Minnesota, United States

Spirit Mountain

Minnesota, USA

$Independent

Family

Ski School Age

—

Full-Day Program

Yes

—

Beginner Terrain

6.5

8.0

—

Walkability

5.0

7.0

—

Village Vibe

5.0

7.0

—

Mountain

Vertical

250'

700'

—

Skiable Area

0 ac

175 ac

—

Green Runs

42%

30%

—

Trails

—

Lifts

—

Getting There

Airport

MSP

DLH

—

Drive Time

0.3h

—

Road Ease

5.0

8.5

—

Cost

Passes

None

Independent

—

Day Pass

$59

—

Cost Tier

Moderate

Budget

—

Village

Dining

Limited

Moderate

—

Grocery

Yes

—

Spa

—

Pool

—

Buck Hill

Minnesota, United States

Family

Ski School Age—

Full-Day ProgramNo

Beginner Terrain

6.5

Walkability

5.0

Village Vibe

5.0

Mountain

Vertical250'

Skiable Area—

Green Runs42%

Trails12

Getting There

AirportMSP

Drive Time2h

Road Ease

5.0

Cost

Day Pass—

Cost TierModerate

Spirit Mountain

Minnesota, USA

$Independent

Family

Ski School Age3+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

8.0

Walkability

7.0

Village Vibe

7.0

Mountain

Vertical700'

Skiable Area175 ac

Green Runs30%

Trails22

Getting There

AirportDLH

Drive Time0.3h

Road Ease

8.5

Cost

Day Pass$59

Cost TierBudget

Snowfall Comparison

Live conditions

Buck Hill

37.5"

avg season

2024-25 season

19.8" total

53%

Spirit Mountain

47.6"

avg season

2024-25 season

30.8" total

65%

Season Accumulation (10-Year Average)

OctNovDecJanFebMarApr

48"24"0"

Buck Hill

Spirit Mountain

Key Insights

Spirit Mountain excels for families prioritizing beginner terrain. Buck Hill offers better value, while Spirit Mountain caters to those seeking a premium experience.

Key Differences

Spirit Mountain's beginner terrain score (8.0) exceeds Buck Hill's (6.5), making it better for families prioritizing beginner runs
Spirit Mountain's walkability score (7.0) exceeds Buck Hill's (5.0), making it better for families prioritizing walkability
Spirit Mountain's family village atmosphere score (7.0) exceeds Buck Hill's (5.0), making it better for families prioritizing family village experience
Spirit Mountain offers more terrain variety (175 acres vs 0 acres)
Spirit Mountain has greater vertical drop (700' vs 250'), offering longer runs

Best For

Buck Hill

Budget-conscious families

Spirit Mountain

Families with first-time skiers (excellent beginner terrain)
Those seeking a walkable village experience
Families wanting a charming, kid-friendly atmosphere

Home

Resort Comparison

Buck Hill vs Spirit Mountain

The Verdict

Spirit Mountain leads with 5 wins

Best for Families

Spirit Mountain

Ski school from age 3

Best Snowfall

Spirit Mountain

47.6" average season

Best Terrain

Spirit Mountain

Impressive mountain

Best Value

Buck Hill

$0 day pass

Easiest Access

Spirit Mountain

0.3h from DLH

Best Village Vibe

Spirit Mountain

Pleasant base area

Buck Hill

Minnesota, United States

Spirit Mountain

Minnesota, USA

$Independent

Family

Ski School Age

—

Full-Day Program

Yes

—

Beginner Terrain

6.5

8.0

—

Walkability

5.0

7.0

—

Village Vibe

5.0

7.0

—

Mountain

Vertical

250'

700'

—

Skiable Area

0 ac

175 ac

—

Green Runs

42%

30%

—

Trails

—

Lifts

—

Getting There

Airport

MSP

DLH

—

Drive Time

0.3h

—

Road Ease

5.0

8.5

—

Cost

Passes

None

Independent

—

Day Pass

$59

—

Cost Tier

Moderate

Budget

—

Village

Dining

Limited

Moderate

—

Grocery

Yes

—

Spa

—

Pool

—

Buck Hill

Minnesota, United States

Family

Ski School Age—

Full-Day ProgramNo

Beginner Terrain

6.5

Walkability

5.0

Village Vibe

5.0

Mountain

Vertical250'

Skiable Area—

Green Runs42%

Trails12

Getting There

AirportMSP

Drive Time2h

Road Ease

5.0

Cost

Day Pass—

Cost TierModerate

Spirit Mountain

Minnesota, USA

$Independent

Family

Ski School Age3+

Full-Day ProgramYes

Beginner Terrain

8.0

Walkability

7.0

Village Vibe

7.0

Mountain

Vertical700'

Skiable Area175 ac

Green Runs30%

Trails22

Getting There

AirportDLH

Drive Time0.3h

Road Ease

8.5

Cost

Day Pass$59

Cost TierBudget

Snowfall Comparison

Live conditions

Buck Hill

37.5"

avg season

2024-25 season

19.8" total

53%

Spirit Mountain

47.6"

avg season

2024-25 season

30.8" total

65%

Season Accumulation (10-Year Average)

OctNovDecJanFebMarApr

48"24"0"

Buck Hill

Spirit Mountain

Key Insights

Spirit Mountain excels for families prioritizing beginner terrain. Buck Hill offers better value, while Spirit Mountain caters to those seeking a premium experience.

Key Differences

Spirit Mountain's beginner terrain score (8.0) exceeds Buck Hill's (6.5), making it better for families prioritizing beginner runs
Spirit Mountain's walkability score (7.0) exceeds Buck Hill's (5.0), making it better for families prioritizing walkability
Spirit Mountain's family village atmosphere score (7.0) exceeds Buck Hill's (5.0), making it better for families prioritizing family village experience
Spirit Mountain offers more terrain variety (175 acres vs 0 acres)
Spirit Mountain has greater vertical drop (700' vs 250'), offering longer runs