FYI I am not a skier and I've only snowboarded once. This review is for the hiking opportunity…read more First time I did this was with friends in a fitness group. It was late summer and hiking uphill in the heat, I huffed and puffed like an out of shape smoker. 2nd time I came by myself on a cooler fall Sunday afternoon and I walked it twice. There are 2 ways to tackle this. Start on left and hike by a water tower or start by tubing hill on right and walk up. The views overlooking the highway and crystal lake are awesome. They are now closed for hiking til spring due to ski season ramping up. The trails are also mountain bike trails but I never encountered anyone. The hike only takes 30 minutes to get up and down. More if you doddle and stop to take pictures. Bring a bottle of water along and dress light. I carried a fanny pack as I didn't want to leave my phone and money in my car.

What Buck Hill lacks in terrain it makes up for in personality. The staff is excellent and most of…read morethe beginning to ski group lessons end up being private or 2:1. Our two youngest kids both learned to ski at Buck and we wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

Calling all bikers! If you have checked out the Gateway…read moreTrail, the Greenway and Cedar Lake Trail and are looking for something a little more quiet and rural feeling, this will be your jam! Leave your road bike at home and take out the cruiser, the cross or the mountain bike because this trail is crushed limestone the entire way. It is flat, shaded in parts, passing by lakes and between farm fields. Most of it you feel like you are out in the middle of beautiful nowhere. There is a parking lot at the trail head. There are porta-potty's strategically spaced along your ride. We came across maps occasionally. What was lacking were the hoards of people! Shhhhhhhhhhhh... maybe we should keep this a secret?! This trail goes 28.5 miles out to Winstead. Then you call a van to come get you? We didn't go that far as we had to make it back to the car at the trailhead. Twenty three miles round trip was plenty far for my burning legs. Whew. That was only half. I can only imagine how wonderful the other half might be. Someday... For those more hardcore, enjoy!!!!

The Luce Line is an all purpose trail which starts on the Western edge of Plymouth, Mn and extends…read moreWest to Cosmos, Mn. Check the DNR website for entrances with parking lots and which areas are allotted for snowmobiles and horseback riding. The trail from Plymouth is crushed gravel and passes through mostly wetlands, hilly areas and light forests. There are some massive mansions not too far off on either side so you are advised not stray off the trails onto private property. The Long Lake entrance has a rough gravel parking lot and a porta potty!

If you are one of "those people" - the kind that want personal attention to detail and flawless…read morework done on your prized bikes - look no further! Chris has an eye for detail that is unrivaled. He pays attention. He ACTUALLY RIDES! He knows how a bike should perform, and will do his best to make sure your bike is up to his ridiculously high standards. The best thing of all - I trust him. His work is worth twice what he charges. I couldn't recommend him any higher.

We went tubing today!!! We had a fantastic time. I suggest getting there early for a closer…read moreparking spot...but no matter where park you'll still have a great time. It was $20 for the time and the bus ride. We were dropped off and provided twine to lock our tubes together. We had so much fun; highly recommend.

I enjoyed the river float here. I wish they had an updated website with info regarding what's…read moreneeded, float times, etc. A few things that would have been helpful to know: - You will likely park across the bridge, be prepared for that. - CASH ONLY. And you will need an ID to leave with them for your tubes. - water shoes are recommended - I think there are only biffies avail for bathrooms - float times vary based on water levels. The "long" 4hr. trip took us just under 2 hours. Call ahead! to find out how long your trip might take. - they provide twine to tie your group of tubes together, but you may want to plan ahead and bring your own rope or bungee cords. Overall it was a good time. I didn't see any groups getting very rowdy or vulgar - I think I'd be fine bringing kids here (which I have NOT heard about the Apple River/River's Edge).

RIVER TUBING REVIEW…read more I will choose this place again and again! Only a 35 minute drive from St Paul. Very well run - you show up, pay for tubes and rope to connect your group, can turn your keys in to the desk, and your on your way! It took us 2 hours to get down the river in mid July. I was told that's quick! There are picnic tables along the route where people stop and gather. They pick you up in a bus at the end (clearly marked) and it's a 5 minute drive back to your car. The river was clean enough, we didn't run into TOO many trees haha. Wear shoes too, the bottom of the river is rocky. It was $20 a tube, $1 for rope, and we did buy an extra tube for our cooler of drinks. Bring a cooler! It costs $20 even if you bring your own tube. I can PROMISE they won't run out of tubes, ever, which was a fear of mine haha. My only feedback is they need to get tubes with cup holders haha. Wear sunscreen and have a DD! Again I will be back here, great Saturday activity!!

Excellent staff, excellent campers and always a good time! Shuttles running to and from concerts is…read morea bonus too!