Mount Kato, Mankato

There's no rest for the team at Mount Kato during the winter months. Each and every night, they head out to their 19 trails and 4 terrain parks to groom the snow—keeping it ready for the next day's batch of skiers and snowboarders. And should Mother Nature refuse to cooperate, they even have snowmakers at the ready to cover the mountainside. That means the beginner-through-advanced slopes are almost always waiting, just a chair lift away.

Though seasoned skiers and boarders find themselves right at home, visits to Mount Kato hardly require expertise. The rental shop sets visitors up with the appropriate gear, and instructors teach lessons for all ages and abilities. Snow-tubing routes supply a fun and even easier alternative.

But the adventures don't end when the season does. Warmer months turn Mount Kato into a premier destination for mountain biking, and the natural setting makes for an appealing backdrop for events such as wine and beer tastings, a sad irony considering every snowman melts long before the age of 21.