6 Wisconsin Ski Hills Great for Beginners
Maybe you're looking to strap on downhill skis for the first time, or maybe you're taking a less experienced skier out for some winter thrills. No matter the reason, Wisconsin's many ski hills boast beginner-friendly runs, welcoming classes and friendly faces to get your skis pointed in the right direction. Check out these ski hills perfect for beginners!
Granite Peak – Wausau
Granite Peak is one of Wisconsin’s premier ski resorts. The Wausau park boasts an impressive 700 feet of vertical height and over 50 trails. What sets this location apart for beginners is that multiple runs are graded as easier and beginner friendly. You’ll also find a fantastic ski school here that offers lessons for everyone from young children to women’s-only adult groups.
Christmas Mountain – Wisconsin Dells
This small ski hill packs a big bang for your buck. Four of Christmas Mountain’s 16 total runs are beginner-friendly and excellent places to learn. They also have a high number of quality intermediate runs where quick learners can go to test their skills. For the best experience at Christmas Mountain, consider staying on-site at their resort and booking your lift ticket and lessons in advance.
Mt. La Crosse – La Crosse
When learning to ski, something that can easily slow progress is the relatively short length of most beginner runs. If you’ve had some intro lessons and are looking for a longer green run that you can truly develop your skills on, then Mt. La Crosse is the perfect hill for you. It features one of the longest beginner runs in the state and has a great ski school on-site in case you need a refresher once you get there.
Tyrol Basin – Mount Horeb
Tyrol Basin features over 20 different runs across 40 acres of land. And thanks to an excellent layout the hill never feels crowded, especially in the beginner friendly areas. As an added bonus for newcomers, their beginner-focused magic carpet lift provides access to two short runs that each finish away from where the more advanced lifts let out.
Sunburst – Kewaskum
If you’re planning a trip for the whole family but not everyone is interested in skiing, then Sunburst is the perfect destination. This park features three great beginner ski runs, as well as some manageable intermediate runs. The non-skiers in your group will have a blast on their snow tubing hill — the world's largest — which offers two magic carpet lifts!
Christie Mountain – Bruce
This Northwoods ski hill is in many ways a beginner skier’s paradise. Christie Mountain features 11 different beginner runs and offers some of the most competitively priced private lessons in the entire state. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for the Big Blue Beast. If the legends are true, you just might see this snow-dweller roaming the slopes of Christie Mountain.
Bonus Hill: Alpine Valley Resort - Elkhorn
This family-friendly resort and ski hill in Elkhorn offers over 100 skiable acres with 20 runs ranging from beginner to expert level. Sign up for a group or private lesson, or for extra fun join an Adult Let’s Get Social lesson that includes lift and drink tickets. Kids can ride one of the five magic carpet ski lifts and everyone can enjoy a slice of pizza after to warm up and keep the quality time rolling.
For outdoor adventurers with disabilities, Alpine Valley Resort partners with the SouthEastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program (SEWASP) to provide adaptive alpine skiing and snowboard lessons for people with disabilities in southeastern Wisconsin and surrounding areas. SEWASP provides lessons and equipment for participants with all types of disabilities including, but not limited to physical (such as spinal cord injuries or Cerebral Palsy), brain injuries, intellectual disabilities, autism, and sensory disabilities (such as sight or hearing impairments). Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time and get ready to make some magical winter memories you’ll never forget.
Looking to turn your ski trip into a full-on winter getaway? Check out these ski-side cabins in Wisconsin, or browse other winter activities for more inspiration!
