Combat the Winter Blues
There’s no reason to find yourself stuck inside fighting the winter blues when you could be hitting the slopes and enjoying the fresh air on Wisconsin ski slopes this winter. Skis, snowboards, even snowtubes add some excitement to the winter on Wisconsin slopes. Wisconsin ranks third in the nation in downhill ski and snowboard areas, according to the National Ski Areas Association. A longtime favorite weekend getaway and ski instruction destination, the Badger State also offers plenty of facilities that can challenge even the most accomplished skiers and snowboarders.
Topping the lists of many skiers across the Midwest after four years of spectacular improvements, Granite Peak at Rib Mountain in Wausau boasts 72 runs including 6 tree-skiing glades. At 624 feet, Rib Mountain lays claim to the state’s greatest vertical drop and the second highest in the Midwest. Kick back and enjoy the ride on the new 6-seat express lift before taking on the mountain’s challenges, or enjoy the ease and comfort of the new Santa Lift, specially designed for the needs of beginning skiers.
Located in La Crosse, Mount La Crosse offers some of the most varied terrain available in Wisconsin. With 17 trails, 3 chair lifts and a 516-foot vertical drop, Mount La Crosse is a great getaway for skiers of all ability levels. Families can enjoy a relaxing cruise down the 5,300-foot long “Mileaway Trail,” while serious skiers take to “Damnation,” the Midwest’s steepest trail.
The AirPark at Devil’s Head in Merrimac features half-pipes, table-tops, spines and gap jumps, while at Cascade Mountain in Portage, boarders can test their skills on two half-pipes including the Midwest’s first superpipe, four terrain parks and a high-speed detachable quad lift that cuts travel time to the top to 2½ minutes.
At Alpine Valley in East Troy, skiers enjoy 12 runs ranging from gently sloping runs for the beginner to steep mogul runs where experienced skiers can strut their stuff. The resort also includes children’s skiing programs to help introduce little ones to the fun.
With a vertical drop of 500 feet, Devil’s Head in Merrimac is home to some of the best skiing in the state. Skiers exiting one of the facilities 16 lifts at the top of the hill are treated to a spectacular view of the hills and valleys of the surrounding countryside. Skiing down the resort’s 28 trails, including one more than two miles long, offers a great way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the winter beauty.
When it comes to prime terrain to grind, flip and grab big air, Wisconsin’s terrain parks and snowboard friendly destinations fit the bill. Tyrol Basin in Mount Horeb is known for its alternative terrain features, which include moguls, half-pipes, quarter-pipes, table-top jumps, rails, gap jumps and new, experimental shapes, depending on snow conditions. It is considered by many to have the best half-pipe in the Midwest.
Powder enthusiasts love Whitecap Mountains in Montreal, which boasts 35 runs on three peaks and averages over 200 inches of snow per year. Christie Mountain near Bruce offers runs in excess of 4,000 feet, as well as a terrain park. Trollhaugen, located near the Minnesota border in Dresser, also offers a terrain park, complete with jumps, spines and quarterpipes.
Even closer to the Illinois border is Wilmot Mountain, which has been named one of the top five snowboarding areas in the Chicago area. Near Milwaukee, both Franklin’s Crystal Ridge and Slinger’s Little Switzerland have become popular "shredding" spots; while Sunburst, in Kewaskum, is popular with both snowboarders and snow tubers.