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ClosedTrails 50+Temp72°Base0″
ClosedTrails 50+Temp72°Base0″
ClosedTrails 50+Temp72°Base0″
Know Before You Go
Skiing and snowboarding carry risks that cannot be eliminated, including serious injury and death. It is your responsibility to know your surroundings, the conditions and your own ability. Everything below is here so you can make good decisions on the hill.
Observe the code below and share with other skiers and riders the responsibility for a great experience. Expand any section for the full policy.
Helmets. Welch Village highly recommends wearing a helmet. Helmet use may reduce the risk of injury, and whether to wear one is a personal choice. Make sure the helmet you select is properly fitted and does not inhibit vision or hearing. More information at nsaa.org/helmets.
Goggles and eye protection. Highly recommended any time you are on the snow.
Electronic devices. We discourage the use of headphones and earphones while skiing, riding, and loading or unloading lifts.
Lessons. If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, a lesson is the best way to learn safely. See lesson programs.
Hazards. Welch Village does not mark all potential obstacles or hazards. Where marking is used, poles, flags, fencing, signage and padding inform you of a potential obstacle. These markers are no guarantee of your safety. Avoiding all obstacles and hazards is part of your responsibility under the code.
Braking and retention. Braking or retention mechanisms are required on skis. Leashes are required on snowboards with step-in bindings.
Groomers and snowmobiles. Groomers, snowmobiles and other all-terrain vehicles may be encountered at any time.
Snowmaking. Snowmaking and snowmaking equipment may be encountered at any time.
Wooded areas between designated trails inside the ski area boundary are not patrolled and are not open to skiing or riding. Certain lift lines under chairlifts and ungroomed sides of trails are also closed.
If you fail to obey this policy and enter these areas, it will result in the loss of your skiing and riding privileges at Welch Village. Welch Village assumes no responsibility for skiers and riders going beyond the open and designated trails. Those areas are not patrolled or maintained, and unmarked obstacles and natural hazards exist.
What happens if you enter a closed area. If Welch Village Ski Patrol or any Welch Village employee sees you ski or ride in a closed area, your lift ticket will be removed and you will be asked to leave the premises. No warning is given. Closed areas include chairlift lines, summer access roads, closed trails, and any area marked by an orange CLOSED sign, with or without ropes. Season pass holders receive an immediate two-week suspension on a first offense. A second offense results in suspension for the rest of the season.
Freestyle terrain may contain jumps, hits, ramps, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half pipes and other constructed or natural features. Before using freestyle terrain you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with all elements and landings, and for obeying all instructions, warnings and signs. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground and in the air.
Welch Village endorses the NSAA Smart Style terrain park safety initiative:
Slow Zones. Certain areas are marked with banners or other markers as SLOW ZONES. Maintain a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Fast and aggressive skiing or riding will not be tolerated and may result in termination of your resort privileges.
Speed and collisions. Ski Patrol and employees may issue warnings or remove privileges without refund for anyone acting recklessly or out of control. Three things every skier and rider can do:
All parties involved in a collision must exchange information and contact Ski Patrol.
Non-skiing and non-snowboarding guests are not allowed to ride our chairlifts.
A green circle, blue square or black diamond at Welch Village is not necessarily the same as one at another resort. The system rates trails relative to each other within a single resort and does not compare difficulty between resorts.
Allowed:
Not allowed:
This list is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Welch Village.
Reckless skiing or conduct includes any of the following: violating Your Responsibility Code; violating federal, state or local law; skiing or riding in a manner that is dangerous or irresponsible; skiing at high speed without regard for personal safety or the safety of others; skiing at high speed in beginner areas, Slow Zones, near lift lines or in constricted areas; causing a collision or near-miss; failing to yield to uphill skiers when entering a trail from the side; failing to exercise due caution when overtaking; failing to make sure the back side of a terrain park feature is clear before use; skiing while impaired by alcohol or any substance; skiing on closed trails or out of bounds; building jumps; swinging or bouncing chairlifts; horseplay on chairlifts; throwing objects from chairlifts; buckling a snowboard while riding a chairlift; blocking a lift off-ramp; skiing or riding out of the established track of a rope tow or bouncing the tow rope; unnecessarily blocking or impeding other skiers; tampering with, moving, destroying, defacing or stealing Welch Village property; failing to adhere to posted signage; and any criminal activity, including theft of services by not having a valid lift ticket.
Welch Village Ski Patrol and staff have authority to confiscate the lift pass of any reckless skier. Options include suspension or revocation of privileges for any period of time, from minutes to days to entire seasons. Disposition is at the sole discretion of Welch Village management. A reckless skier may be approached at any time and anywhere within our area of operation, including the parking lots. For criminal activity, Welch Village reserves the right to prosecute.
Welch Village provides a team of trained Ski Patrollers who deliver first aid, assess mountain safety, post warnings and close trails. Ski Patrol is on duty whenever the chairlifts are operating for the public.
To summon a Ski Patroller, let any employee know or call the Patrol room at 651-258-2819. Ski Patrol is located in the grey building east of the Main Chalet, marked with the Ski Patrol logo. Emergency radios are available with all lift operators.
In an emergency, call 911.
Uphill access. No uphill access is allowed at any time at Welch Village.
Drones. Welch Village prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems by the general public, including recreational users, hobbyists, media and journalists, without prior written authorization. This includes drones used for filming or videotaping, drones launched from Welch Village property, and drones launched from private property outside our boundaries. Contact a Welch Village officer with questions or to seek authorization. Any authorized operation may be governed by FAA rules, local law enforcement and policies established by Welch Village, which may include certification, training, insurance, indemnification and waivers.
Violations may result in suspension of skiing or snowboarding privileges, revocation of a season pass, confiscation of drone equipment, and liability for damages, regulatory fines and legal fees.
Carry-on food is allowed in designated areas only. Please keep it to a minimum on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday hours, when tables and seating are reserved for guests purchasing Welch Village food and beverage. Keep large containers in your vehicle.
Crock pots, hot plates and electric coffee or hot chocolate pots are not allowed in our buildings, per fire code. Food and snack tables for groups are not allowed at any time, including weekdays.
Carry-on alcohol. No carry-on alcoholic beverages are permitted anywhere on Welch Village property, including all parking areas, per Minnesota Statute 340A.512.
Tables and personal items. Bags, shoes, boots, coolers and containers may not be stored at or around seating while you are on the hill. Use a seasonal locker, a daily paid locker, or the cubby areas on the first and second floors of the Main Chalet. If those are full, keep items in your vehicle. Staff may move unattended items to a designated location. Reserving or guarding tables for more than 30 minutes is not allowed, and there is a 30 minute table limit on weekends and holiday hours.
Cashless. As of November 2023, Welch Village no longer accepts cash. See accepted forms of payment.
No animals are allowed on ski terrain or ski lifts during the winter or summer season. The use of service animals on ski lifts and ski terrain conflicts with the safety requirements necessary for the reasonably safe operation of our on-slope activities, and is compounded by our high volume of trail use. These safety requirements are based on actual risks and are not intended to be discriminatory in any way.
We do not allow dogs in any of our buildings, on patio areas or decks, or on our snow. If your dog comes with you to the ski area, we ask that your dog stays in your vehicle.
Unauthorized lessons. Welch Village instructors are the only individuals authorized to teach skiing and snowboarding on Welch Village property. Anyone accepting payment for lessons without permission from management may be asked to leave the property and forfeit the use of their lift ticket or season pass.
Walking, running and hiking are not permitted on Welch Village property without permission from management. Welch Village is private property and management reserves the right to restrict access to any individual at any time.
Theft of services. Skiers and riders without a lift ticket will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Lost or stolen property. Welch Village is not responsible for lost or stolen property. We recommend personal locks for equipment and our paid locker area for valuables.
Photography. With purchase of services, we reserve the right to photograph guests and events for use in advertising or publicity of Welch Village, without personal consent.
Parking lots and campers. Campers, buses and trailers are not allowed in our parking lots at any time. Buses are allowed only with pre-arranged groups such as ski clubs, schools, roving ski schools and race teams.
Every skier and rider must complete a release of liability before their visit. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign on their behalf. Sign your release online.
Yes. Every skier and rider must have a signed release of liability on file with Welch Village before loading a lift. Complete it online before you arrive so you can go straight to the snow. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian to sign.
Helmets are strongly recommended at Welch Village but are not required. If you wear one, make sure it fits properly and does not restrict your vision. Helmets are not included in rental packages and need to be reserved separately in advance.
No. Carry-on alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere on Welch Village property, including the parking lots. This follows Minnesota Statute 340A.512, not a house rule. Alcohol is available for purchase inside the chalet at Jaxx and the Nelson Brothers Bar.
No to all three. Animals are not allowed on ski terrain or lifts and must stay in vehicles. Drones require prior written authorization, and flying one without it can cost you your pass. Uphill access is not allowed at any time. Reckless skiing results in immediate ticket confiscation.
