Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets, passes, rentals, lessons, policies and getting here. If you cannot find it, Guest Services is at 651-258-4567 or info@welchvillage.com.
Lift Tickets
Can I buy a lift ticket at the window when I arrive?
No. All lift tickets must be purchased online in advance. We do not sell daily lift tickets at the walk-up windows, and quantities can be limited to protect the experience on the snow.
How do I redeem my online ticket purchase?
Bring your email confirmation, on your phone or printed, to the outdoor ticket window to scan your barcode and receive your physical lift ticket. Download the barcode (screenshot it or save it to your digital wallet) before you leave home, because cell and wifi reception at the base area is weak.
What is the refund policy on lift tickets?
Lift ticket purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable, and are valid only on the date purchased. Double-check your dates before you complete the purchase. Tickets can be refunded if FanShield enhanced refund protection is added at checkout and a qualifying event occurs. If your ticket cannot be used because of a resort closure, Welch Village staff will contact you about a credit toward a future visit.
How old does my child have to be to need a ticket?
Ages 5 to 12 pay the youth rate and 13 and up pay the adult rate. Children 4 and under receive a complimentary ticket with a paid adult lift ticket, and you must complete a release for the child ahead of time.
Season Passes
What comes with a Welch Village season pass?
Unlimited skiing and riding all season with no blackout dates, 10 discounted member guest tickets, and 10% off tuning services in the Tuning Center.
When is the best time to buy a season pass?
Season passes go on sale in the spring for the following season, which is the best price for the Unlimited season pass. At this point in the year, buy at the fall rate. Fall rates run through noon on October 28, 2026, after which every pass moves to full price. Season passes come off sale for the 2026/27 season on January 15, 2027.
How do I get my physical season pass card?
Buy before noon on October 28, 2026 (the fall rate deadline) with a photo uploaded to your guest record and your card is mailed to you during November. Buy after that date, or leave the photo off, and you pick it up at the Main Chalet ticket windows on your first visit. Weekend mornings before 1PM can run long.
Can I get a refund on my season pass?
Only if you purchased Season Pass Insurance at the time of purchase and a qualifying event occurs. Without it, all season pass sales are final and passes cannot be transferred to another person or another season.
Rental Equipment
Do I need to reserve rental equipment in advance?
Standard ski package rentals should be purchased online before your visit. Snowboard packages and individual rental items, such as skis only, snowboard only or snowboard boots only, can only be purchased in person at our outdoor ticket windows.
What is included in a rental package?
Ski packages include skis, boots and poles. Snowboard packages include a board and boots. Helmets are not included in the base package and rent for $10 plus tax. Helmets are only included in lessons that come with a rental package: the Learn to Ski ages 4-8 lesson and the Evening Beginner Specials.
How do the technicians know what size I need?
When you check in at the ticket window, you will be given a rental form to fill out at the rental shop with your height, weight, shoe size and skier type. Our certified technicians use that information to safely set your bindings.
Can I take rental gear into the terrain park?
No. Rental equipment is not allowed in the terrain park.
Lessons
What should I wear for my first time on the snow?
Water-resistant layers. Snow pants, a waterproof jacket, waterproof gloves or mittens, a single pair of warm wool or synthetic socks (never two pairs, and avoid cotton), and a helmet. We do not rent clothing, coats, pants or goggles.
How early should I arrive for my lesson?
At least one hour before your lesson start time. That covers parking, picking up your lift ticket, getting fitted for rental equipment and walking to the meeting area. Group lessons run on a strict schedule, so late arrivals cannot always be accommodated.
Does my lesson include a lift ticket and rental gear?
It depends on the program. Some beginner packages bundle the lesson, a lift ticket and rentals. Standalone lessons require tickets and rentals to be purchased separately. Check the specific program page before you book.
Can my friend or family member teach me?
We strongly recommend a professional lesson. Our instructors teach safe, modern fundamentals using the PMTS Direct Parallel method, which prevents bad habits and reduces frustration. Only Welch Village instructors are authorized to teach on our property.
Can I share a private lesson?
Yes. You can add up to three people to a private lesson for $50 per additional student. For the best learning environment, everyone in the group should be a similar age and ability level. Private lessons do not include lift tickets or rentals.
Racing & Team Programs
What is the difference between the Junior D-Team and TEAM WELCH Alpine?
The Junior D-Team is a developmental program for ages 7 to 17, focused on racing fundamentals and regional competitions, run over 11 Saturdays. TEAM WELCH Alpine is our advanced USSA program for athletes 14 and older competing in scored and FIS events.
Does my child need a season pass to join a team program?
Yes. A season pass is required for all team program participants. Coaching fees do not include lift access, so the season pass is purchased separately.
Waivers & Policies
Who needs to sign a liability waiver?
Every guest skiing, snowboarding, taking a lesson or racing must have a signed release of liability on file before getting on the snow. Waivers for anyone under 18 must be signed by their own parent or legal guardian. You cannot sign for another family’s child.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Carry-on food is allowed in designated areas only, and we ask you to keep it minimal on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Crock pots, hot plates and electric coffee pots are not allowed under fire code, and group food tables are never allowed. No carry-on alcoholic beverages are permitted anywhere on the property, including the parking lots, per Minnesota Statute 340A.512.
Do you take cash?
No. Welch Village has been fully cashless since November 2023. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Welch gift cards.
What is the policy on uphill travel or skinning?
No uphill access is allowed at any time at Welch Village.
Can I leave my bags at a table?
No. Bags, boots, coolers and personal items cannot be left at seating while you are on the hill. Use a seasonal locker, a paid daily locker, or the cubby areas on the first and second floors. On weekends and holidays there is a 30 minute table limit.
Is overnight RV parking allowed?
No. Campers, buses and trailers are not allowed in our parking lots at any time, and we do not offer overnight parking or camping. Buses are allowed only with pre-arranged groups.
Snow Report & Conditions
How often is the snow report updated?
Daily, in the early morning, and again during the day if conditions, weather or lift status change significantly.
What is the difference between base and surface conditions?
Base is the total estimated depth of packed snow across the resort. Surface describes the top layer you will actually be skiing on today, such as machine-groomed, packed powder or spring snow.
Does Welch Village make its own snow?
Yes. We run 160 snowmaking units with 100% trail coverage, which is how we open early, recover quickly from warm spells and hold coverage all season.
Is the Back Bowl open?
The Back Bowl typically opens mid January and runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm through early March, depending on coverage. All three of our double blacks are back there. Check the Snow Report for today’s status.
Getting Here
How far is Welch Village from the Twin Cities and Rochester?
40 minutes south of the Twin Cities, 40 minutes north of Rochester, 15 minutes southeast of Hastings and 10 minutes north of Red Wing. We are at 26685 County Road 7 Blvd, Welch, MN 55089.
Does Welch Village have on-site lodging?
No, but there are hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals minutes away in Red Wing, Hastings and the surrounding area.
Is there a shuttle service?
No. Guests arrange their own transportation. Carpooling is a good idea on busy weekends.
Is parking free?
Yes, parking is free. There is one main parking lot by the Main Chalet and a small parking lot by the East Chalet (Jaxx) that is open when Jaxx is open. The overflow lot is located across the highway from the main lot. Handicap parking is available at the main lot.
Chalet, Food & Events
What dining options are available?
The Main Chalet has food service, Jaxx in the East Chalet serves food and drinks with a festive atmosphere, and Nelson Brothers Bar is in the Main Chalet. Food service hours are shorter than lift hours.
When do you have live music?
Live music runs at Jaxx in the East Chalet from 4:00pm to 6:30pm on scheduled weekend dates through the core winter season.
Do you have lockers?
Yes. Seasonal lockers and paid daily lockers, plus cubby areas on the first and second floors of the Main Chalet.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes. E-gift cards are available online and provide a QR code that can be used immediately for payment at the resort.
Employment
Are you hiring?
Yes. Our Employment page has the application form, which goes directly to our team.
Do employees get a season pass?
Yes. Employee benefits include a free winter season pass, free lift tickets and rentals for friends and family (restrictions apply), 50% off food in the Main Chalet while working, retail shop and tuning discounts, and end-of-season awards, a raffle and a party.
How old do you have to be to work here?
Minimum ages vary by department:
- 14+ for food and beverage kitchen staff
- 15+ for janitorial service, cashiers, guest services and rental
- 16+ for terrain park crew
- 18+ for line cooks, bartenders, lift operations, snowmaking and maintenance
One-on-one
Private Coaching,
Your Pace
Book your favorite coach, bring up to three friends, and pick the terrain: the fastest way to level up.