Buck Hill

What Buck Hill does

Buck Hill is a privately held, year-round action sports resort operating on an 80-acre site at 15400 Buck Hill Road in Burnsville, Minnesota, approximately 20 minutes south of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Founded in 1954, the resort offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, terrain park features (including the only halfpipe in the Midwest), and a full-service ski school in winter, and mountain biking, hiking, and an 18-hole Prodigy-designed PDGA disc golf course in summer. Supporting amenities include the Buck '54 Bar & Grill restaurant, a 3,000 sq ft event center (up to 200 guests), and a 70-person Hutch Chalet for private events.

The business operates a diversified, multi-revenue-stream model anchored on direct-to-consumer sales through its own website and on-site ticket offices. Recurring subscription revenue comes from annual season passes ($395–$1,575 depending on tier and timing) with no blackout dates and bundled benefits (free summer access, F&B discounts, buddy tickets, concert admission, IKON reciprocal benefits). Transactional revenue is generated across lift tickets ($39–$64/day), equipment rentals, private and group lessons, snow tubing sessions, youth racing team registrations ($365–$3,500), event ticketing for the Buck Concert Series and Weekly Wheels car meets, summer activity passes ($6 day / $20 season), venue rental and catering, and a charity golf tournament.

Customer segments are broadly distributed: families, youth ski racers (ages 3–18 across D-Team through USSA/FIS), freestyle athletes, beginner skiers/snowboarders, summer outdoor enthusiasts, event attendees, schools and youth groups, and corporate/private event clients. The resort is privately owned with no disclosed parent, no institutional capital, no M&A activity, and no publicly disclosed financial information. The company is a member of the Minnesota Ski Areas Association and participates in the statewide 4th Grade Passport Program as a customer acquisition channel.

Name

Buck Hill

Legal name

Buck Hill

Website

https://buckhill.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Buck Hill is a privately held, year-round action sports resort in Burnsville, Minnesota (founded 1954), serving the Twin Cities metro with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, mountain biking, disc golf, lessons, racing teams, and live events across an 80-acre property.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Resort & Action Sports Recreation

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (71392), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities) (THAAAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Snow Tubing, Sledding & Winter Fun Parks (THAAAJAG)

Keywords

• Ski resort operations
• Snow tubing facility
• Mountain bike trails
• Ski racing programs
• Action sports recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Season Passes: Annual and seasonal passes providing unlimited access to skiing and snowboarding, with tiered pricing for adult, child, senior, military, and family categories. Season passes are a primary revenue driver with no blackout dates.
2. Lift Tickets: Day passes for skiing and snowboarding with varying rates for weekdays, weekends, holidays, and time-of-day segments (early bird, late night). Revenue generated per visit.
3. Event Ticketing: Revenue from Buck Concert Series tickets (GA lawn, GA seated, pit, VIP), Northern Lights Tubing sessions, and special event admissions.
4. Group Sales & School Programs: Weekday field trips, afternoon ski clubs, and tubing group bookings providing discounted bulk ticket sales to schools and youth organizations.
5. Ski & Snowboard Lessons: Private lessons, group lessons, and specialty programs (Women's Ski Club, Men's Ski Club, Super Carve Series) generating revenue per lesson or session.
6. Youth Racing Programs: D-Team, Renegades Program, USSS Team programs with registration fees ranging from $365 to $3,500 depending on program level and frequency.
7. Food & Beverage - Buck '54 Bar & Grill: On-site full-service restaurant and bar generating revenue from food sales, alcoholic beverages, and daily specials. Season pass holders receive 10% discount.
8. Equipment Rentals: Daily ski and snowboard rental packages including helmet options, with step-on snowboard bindings available at premium pricing.
9. Summer Activity Passes: Day passes ($6) and season passes ($20) for mountain biking, hiking trails, and disc golf, with same-day access to all summer activities.
10. Snow Tubing Sessions: Per-session pricing for snow tubing with varying rates for weekday, weekend, and holiday periods. Group rates available for 50+ participants.
11. Venue Rental & Catering: Event center (up to 200 people), chalet, and Buck '54 Bar & Grill available for private events including weddings, corporate events, and parties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Buck Hill operates a year-round action sports resort on an 80-acre property in Burnsville, Minnesota, selling lift-served skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing (with terrain parks and the only halfpipe in the Midwest) in winter, and mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf in summer, supported by equipment rentals, on-site dining, lessons, youth racing and freestyle programs, and a calendar of concerts and community events including the Buck Concert Series and Weekly Wheels car and bike meets.

Product overview

Buck Hill is Minnesota's Premier Action Sports Resort offering a comprehensive portfolio of recreational products and services. The resort operates year-round with winter focus on skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and ski racing programs, while summer and shoulder seasons feature mountain biking, hiking trails, and disc golf. The core offerings include lift-accessed skiing/snowboarding with 3+ terrain parks and a halfpipe, ski/snowboard school with lessons for all ages, competitive racing teams (D-Team through USSA/FIS level), and freestyle programs. Supporting amenities include Buck '54 Bar & Grill restaurant, catering/event venues, and the Buck Concert Series outdoor music events. Summer activities operate under a unified $6 day pass or $20 season pass covering mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf. The resort serves as a community recreation hub with programs for youth, families, adults, and special interest groups including schools, clubs, and corporate events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Skiing & Snowboarding Year-round lift-served skiing and snowboarding access with snowmaking, terrain parks, and the only halfpipe in the Midwest for guests and competitive athletes.
• Season Passes Unlimited annual access to skiing and snowboarding with tiered pricing for adult, child, senior, military, and family categories and bundled benefits including free summer access and food discounts.
• Lift Tickets & Day Passes Day passes for skiing, snowboarding, and equipment rentals with weekday, weekend, holiday, and time-of-day rate variations for general public visitors.
• Ski & Snowboard School Private and group ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and skill levels, including youth programs (Tiny Bucks, Little Bucks, Buck Cruisers), adult lessons, women's and men's ski clubs, and specialty clinics.
• Mountain Bike Trails Single-track mountain biking trails on the resort's 80-acre property, open spring through fall with day passes and season passes and views of Crystal Lake.
• Hiking Trails Public hiking trails covering approximately one mile with 310 feet of elevation gain, open dawn to dusk from June through October at the metro's highest elevation point.
• Disc Golf Course PDGA-approved 18-hole disc golf course designed by Prodigy Disc Golf Course Design and lead designer Cale Leiviska, spanning 6,064 feet with Prodigy targets and Neveplast tee boxes.
• Snow Tubing Minnesota's largest snow tubing facility with multiple lanes, a covered standing conveyor, and evening lighting for night tubing sessions priced by weekday vs. weekend.
• Northern Lights Tubing Nighttime snow tubing experience with choreographed light displays synchronized to music, transforming the tubing hill into a music-driven nighttime attraction.
• Uphill Access Guided uphill skiing access before regular operating hours with optional Early Bird add-on, scheduled Friday mornings during the winter season.
• Ski Racing D-Team Developmental ski racing program for ages 6-15 focused on slalom and giant slalom training with competition opportunities through the Minnesota Snow Sports League.
• USSA Ski Racing Team Performance-driven ski racing program with FIS, U18-21, U16, U14, and U10/12 divisions under USSS-certified coaches competing at regional, national, and international levels.
• Buck Hill Freestyle Team Competitive freestyle skiing and snowboarding team for ages 7-18 competing through USASA and USSS in slopestyle, rail jam, halfpipe, and boardercross disciplines.
• Giant Slalom Race Clinics Recurring giant slalom race clinics with elite course setting and professional instruction, open to skiers of all ages and abilities.
• Buck Concert Series Annual outdoor concert series featuring multiple national artists with GA lawn, GA seated, pit, and VIP ticket options and on-site food and beverage service.
• Weekly Wheels Car + Bike Meets Weekly Wednesday automotive enthusiast meetups on the resort property from May through September, featuring show cars and bikes, live music, and food and beverage vendors.
• Buck '54 Bar & Grill On-site full-service American restaurant and bar with craft cocktails, rotating tap beers, outdoor deck seating, and seasonal discounts for season pass holders.
• Catering & Events Private venue rental and catering at the Buck Hill Event Center (up to 200 guests), Hutch Chalet (up to 70 guests), and Buck '54 Bar & Grill for weddings, corporate events, and parties.
• Buck Hill Golf Tournament Annual charity golf tournament fundraiser supporting the Justin Linde Scholarship Fund, held at Southern Hills Golf Course with golfer, foursome, dinner, and sponsorship options.
• 4th Grade Passport Program Minnesota Ski Areas Association program offering Minnesota 4th graders up to three free ski visits at Buck Hill as a youth development and community engagement initiative.
• Group Rates & Field Trips Discounted group programs for schools, youth organizations, and clubs including weekday ski and tubing field trips, ski and snowboard clubs, and standard group rates with minimum participation thresholds.
• Snow Tubing Groups & Birthday Parties Group tubing packages including weekday field trips, fundraisers for non-profits, and birthday party sessions with reserved tables and optional food packages.
• Equipment Rentals Daily ski and snowboard rental packages including helmets, with step-on snowboard bindings available at a premium price, serving all skill levels.

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Jeff Belzer's ChevroletminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Vehicle Showcase Sponsor for Weekly Wheels Car & Bike Meets. Family-owned dealership serving Lakeville and Twin Cities area since 1980, recognized as Minnesota's #1 Volume Chevrolet Dealer since 2013.
• Tito's Handmade VodkaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Live Music Sponsor for Weekly Wheels events. America's original craft vodka, produced in small batches using old-fashioned pot stills in Austin, Texas since 1997.
• QA1minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold Sponsor for Weekly Wheels. Industry leader in high performance suspension for automotive aftermarket since 1993, providing cost-effective solutions across multiple markets.
• Blackfire CreativeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Gold Sponsor for Weekly Wheels. Veteran-owned business providing vehicle wrapping, signage solutions, and creative services to businesses of any industry and size.
• Scoops ConcessionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Silver Sponsor for Weekly Wheels. Ice cream vendor established in 2011, providing fresh ice cream from family-owned dairy in Wisconsin at city events, fairs, concerts, and private/corporate events.
• Burnsville Center MallminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Off-site parking location with shuttle bus service to Buck Concert Series. Handicap accessible shuttle buses routinely run pre and post event from the mall parking area.
• Prodigy Disc Golf Course DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProdigy Disc Golf Course Design collaborated with Buck Hill to design and develop the 18-hole disc golf course on the resort's 80-acre property, featuring PDGA approved Prodigy targets and professional course layout.
• Cale LeiviskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead designer Cale Leiviska, PDGA Pro with experience in large scale projects and unique creative process, designed Buck Hill's 18-hole disc golf course featuring challenging holes with diverse terrain and elevation gains.
• GearWestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive collaboration with GearWest for Super Carve Sessions. GearWest provides expert equipment assistance and demo opportunities during select sessions, enhancing the skiing experience with equipment optimization.
• Minnesota Ski Areas Association (MSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization providing 4th Grade Passport Program offering every 4th grader in Minnesota the opportunity to ski for free. Buck Hill participates by offering three visits to passport holders.
• Southern Hills Golf CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGolf tournament venue located at 18950 Chippendale Ave W, Farmington, MN. Renowned for meticulously designed fairways and challenging yet enjoyable layout for Buck Hill's annual charity golf tournament.
• IKON PassminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIKON Reciprocal Program mentioned as season pass benefit, allowing pass holders to access reciprocal benefits at other IKON partner resorts.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hyland Hills Ski Area: Bloomington, MN urban ski hill operated by Three Rivers Parks; small-vertical, family-oriented learning hill that competes for first-time skier and school field-trip demand in the metro.
• Welch Village: River Falls, WI ski area (~45 min from MSP) competing for the same Twin Cities weekend and season-pass demand with comparable vertical and family programming.
• Trollhaugen: Dresser, WI ski and snowboard area with terrain park focus; competes for Twin Cities freestyle and racing customers with overlapping halfpipe and rail programming.
• Wild Mountain: Taylors Falls, MN ski and tubing area competing directly for family tubing, skiing, and snowboarding demand in the MSP metro and St. Croix Valley.
• Afton Alps: Hastings, MN ski area owned by Vail Resorts, located within similar driving distance of the Twin Cities. Most direct head-to-head competitor for Buck Hill's season pass holders and day visitors, and competes with multi-resort pass integration (Epic).

Regional players

• Lutsen Mountains: Minnesota's largest ski resort on the North Shore; serves as the in-state destination alternative to Buck Hill's day-use model and competes for statewide ski trip demand.
• Spirit Mountain: Duluth, MN ski, snowboarding, and tubing destination; competes for broader Minnesota winter recreation demand, particularly family tubing and beginner programming.
• Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park: Wausau, WI regional ski area; competing Midwest regional competitor with larger vertical, comparable terrain park offerings, and Wisconsin catchment overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Vail Resorts: Owner of Afton Alps and the dominant North American ski operator with multi-resort pass products (Epic). Represents the capital-and-distribution incumbent whose scale and pass bundling shape the competitive backdrop for independent resorts like Buck Hill.
• Boyne Mountain Resort: Michigan destination resort with full lodging, spa, waterpark, and ski school; not a direct same-metro competitor, but relevant scale benchmark for the Midwest family ski resort category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/buckhillmn
• Xx.com/buckhillmn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buck-hill

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Buck Hill