TEAM-BUILDING TREND

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THE ART OF THE SWING

Ax throwing venues offer ample opportunities for thrillseeking groups. BY MEGAN GOSCH

WHAT BETTER WAY TO LET OFF STEAM or bond with your team postmeeting than a good old-fashioned ax throwing competition? Revived with fresh enthusiasm and curiosity from ax masters and first-timers alike, the latest trend in team-building has made an old sport new again.

With the opening of these four local outlets, groups have plenty of opportunities to try their hand at this popular pastime.

With locations nationwide, Bad Axe Throwing opened its Minneapolis location (one of the company’s largest with 10 lanes) on April 2018. Guided by an experienced coach, groups of up to 200 can choose from a variety of challenging games to fit the occasion, including team-based tournaments guaranteed to keep guests on their toes and cheering. After a demonstration and review of ax throwing techniques, guests have a chance to practice before competition ensues and a final Axe Throwing Champion is revealed. Though Bad Axe doesn’t have dedicated meeting space, food, beer and wine will soon be available onsite for a celebratory round post-competition.

Ax throwing is the newest addition to Big Thrill Factory’s slew of team-building attractions, with Bix Axes Hurling Halls found at Big Thrill’s Minnetonka and Oakdale locations. While trained experts can help guests hit the bull’s-eye in no time, those hoping to skip the hatchet hurling can delight in adventures like laser tag, ropes courses and go-kart racing. With large meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor facilities, full A/V services and chef-driven special event menus, the Big Thrill team can easily accommodate groups of 10 to 1,000 guests.

Minnesota’s classic luxury resort has also added ax throwing to its extensive menu of team-building exercises. In addition to tug of war competitions, island golf and horseback riding activities, Madden’s on Gull Lake’s recreation director will introduce groups to the sport of ax throwing and conduct tournaments for groups of up to 21 guests (divided across three teams of seven participants).

Groups may visit Victoria Burrow for its ax throwing offerings but stay to try the outpost’s wide variety of games and entertainment and full menu that includes made-from-scratch bites and an extensive bar program. The destination works with corporate, social and teambuilding groups to provide a fully immersive experience. Guests can meet in Victoria Burrow’s private event space (which seats up to 60 and is complete with A/V services, a large screen TV and lighting) then jump right into ax throwing, mini golf or a virtual reality experience while enjoying a homemade slice of pizza and craft cocktail served gameside.

Get Connected

BAD AXE THROWING badaxethrowing.com 888.435.0001

BIG THRILL FACTORY bigthrillfactory.com 952.698.7715

MADDEN’S ON GULL LAKE maddens.com/meetings-events info@maddens.com

VICTORIA BURROW victoriaburrow.com burrow@victoriaburrow.com