Mount Kato Ski Area snow report
Mount Kato Ski Area
Mount Kato Ski Area is a ski resort located in Mankato, Minnesota. The resort boasts over 19 runs with a vertical drop of 240 feet. The best trails for advanced skiers are the Upper Ridge and Lower Ridge runs. Mount Kato also has a rich history, having been opened in 1963 and now run by third-generation owners. For beginners, the resort recommends trying the Bunny Hill and Magic Carpet. The best après-ski bar in the area is the Loose Moose Saloon, located on site, which offers a selection of drinks and live music on weekends.
Terrain mix: The pertinent mountain range for Mount Kato Ski Area in Minnesota is the Coteau des Prairies, which is a relatively flat and rolling region that extends into the state from the Dakotas.
Mount Kato Ski Area itself does not have any significant mountain aspects as it is located in a relatively flat area of southern Minnesota. The highest point at the ski area is only around 835 feet above sea level. Despite this, Mount Kato offers a variety of runs and terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels to enjoy.
Plan your day down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the snow column the morning of a storm to know when to call in sick.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & snow
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- start of next storm cycle, end of last one.
What forecasters are seeing
Plain-English forecast narrative from the local NWS office. Issued by NWS MPX.
Beyond the slopes
Other ski areas, basecamp options, alpine fishing, and scenic stops near Mount Kato Ski Area -- worth knowing whether you're in for a day, a long weekend, or a season pass.
Mountain & avalanche safety
- Know before you go
- Check today's avalanche bulletin from the regional avalanche center before any off-piste / side-country / backcountry travel. Conditions can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon on storm days.
- Carry the gear, know how to use it
- Beacon, shovel, probe. Practice companion rescue on a calm day, not during a real burial.
- Mind the weather window
- Heavy snow + wind builds wind slabs at ridgelines. The day after a storm is often the riskiest in the backcountry, even if the resort itself is open.
- Respect closed terrain
- Ropes are there for a reason. Even in-bounds, ducking a closure can trigger a slide that catches you and others below.
Track Mount Kato Ski Area in the Snoflo app
Save this resort as a favorite, set push alerts when snowfall crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mount Kato Ski Area reports 6″ new"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment the SNOTEL station crosses.
About Mount Kato Ski Area
Where does the snow data for Mount Kato Ski Area come from?
Snowpack, SWE, 24-hour snowfall, and air temperature come from the nearest USDA NRCS SNOTEL station. Forecast comes from the National Weather Service / yr.no feed that Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the snow report updated?
Snowpack and SNOTEL data are updated continuously by NRCS (typically hourly). The 15-day weather forecast is refreshed throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- look for the "as of" timestamp on the snowpack hero.
What's the elevation at Mount Kato Ski Area?
See the Resort Metrics panel above for base / summit / vertical drop. The summit elevation drives snowpack accumulation -- higher summits hold snow longer through spring.
How is "% of normal" calculated?
Today's snowpack is compared to the average snowpack on this calendar day across every recorded year at the nearest SNOTEL. 100% means right on average; 130% is a big year; 60% is thin.
What ski resorts are near Mount Kato Ski Area?
See the Other Ski Areas pill grid at the bottom of the page for resorts within driving distance. The sister Other Ski Areas card in the Plan-a-longer-trip grid above shows the closest few.
Can I get alerts when fresh snow hits?
Yes -- snow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this resort, set a snowfall threshold (e.g. "alert me when 6+ inches"), and you'll get a push the moment the SNOTEL crosses.
Other resorts near here
Snoflo-tracked ski areas within driving distance of Mount Kato Ski Area.