Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goers
Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash
For the expanse of flat prairie land that makes up the Midwest, skiing options are decent — respectable even — with a handful offering terrain and runs that rival more celebrated resorts out east or west.
And as the winter months emerge, conversations surrounding masks and social distancing are also tagging along for yet another ski season. For some, COVID-19 has meant a permanent change in operations.
Several ski resorts have renovated their online shopping-cart transaction systems for online sales, so purchase tickets ahead of time if you can.
Even without the added stressors of COVID-19, picking the right ski resort takes some thinking and clicking around to find the best slopes, the most scenic glades and, for newbies, the easiest terrain.
We’ve done the work for you, with eight resorts and ski areas, with options for families, ski experts, beginners and everyone between.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goers
7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
262-248-8811; grandgeneva.com
Grand Geneva, conveniently situated between Milwaukee and Chicago, is home to 20 downhill runs serviced by three chairlifts and terrains designed for any age group and skill level. The resort’s snow-making abilities allows it to stay open even when there isn’t any snow falling.
Certified instructors trained in the latest skiing techniques offer lessons to both new and seasoned skiers.
For nonskiers, sledding or ice skating is an option, as is hiding out in the arcade with air hockey, pingpong and more.
After a day on the slopes (or at the spa), guests can tuck inside a heated igloo (open through March 14) for 90 minutes of sipping hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps or a hot toddy under the Wisconsin sky.
A few pandemic-related notes: Lift tickets will be sold online only with a set amount available per day. Guests are encouraged to get ready in their car before hitting the ski areas.
7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
262-248-8811; grandgeneva.com
Grand Geneva, conveniently situated between Milwaukee and Chicago, is home to 20 downhill runs serviced by three chairlifts and terrains designed for any age group and skill level. The resort’s snow-making abilities allows it to stay open even when there isn’t any snow falling.
Certified instructors trained in the latest skiing techniques offer lessons to both new and seasoned skiers.
For nonskiers, sledding or ice skating is an option, as is hiding out in the arcade with air hockey, pingpong and more.
After a day on the slopes (or at the spa), guests can tuck inside a heated igloo (open through March 14) for 90 minutes of sipping hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps or a hot toddy under the Wisconsin sky.
A few pandemic-related notes: Lift tickets will be sold online only with a set amount available per day. Guests are encouraged to get ready in their car before hitting the ski areas.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goersPhoto by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash
500 Nubs Nob Road, Harbor Springs, Michigan; 231-526-2131; nubsnob.com
Nub’s Nob, a quaint resort with small-town charm, is burrowed in one of the most scenic nooks of northern Michigan, just a 90-minute drive from Mackinac Island.
The resort has 53 runs on 248 acres, complete with nine lifts and a 427-foot vertical drop. Avid skiers say Nub’s Nob is more of a local ski resort, where the focus is more on skiing than socializing. And depending on which hill you’re on — there are 12 black-diamond trails, plus a handful of double-black-diamond glades — there typically aren’t too many beginners wobbling down a slope.
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash500 Nubs Nob Road, Harbor Springs, Michigan; 231-526-2131; nubsnob.com
Nub’s Nob, a quaint resort with small-town charm, is burrowed in one of the most scenic nooks of northern Michigan, just a 90-minute drive from Mackinac Island.
The resort has 53 runs on 248 acres, complete with nine lifts and a 427-foot vertical drop. Avid skiers say Nub’s Nob is more of a local ski resort, where the focus is more on skiing than socializing. And depending on which hill you’re on — there are 12 black-diamond trails, plus a handful of double-black-diamond glades — there typically aren’t too many beginners wobbling down a slope.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goers
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, Michigan; 855-995-5146; crystalmountain.com
The winter activities at this northern Michigan resort will tempt any kid, from laser tag to archery to sledding on the 1,700-foot-long alpine slide.
And then there’s the skiing. Up to four family members can get a personal tour of Crystal Mountain with a ski or snowboard instructor, or kids can learn in lessons grouped by age and ability. Parents can book Nanny McSki, certified instructors trained in child care who spend the day with the kiddos while they try out black-diamond trails or spa time. A variety of lodging is available (some pet-friendly), and kids up to 17 years old stay ski free on weekdays.
Premises are equipped with HEPA air and UV light filtration. Masking indoors is encouraged for unvaccinated visitors.
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, Michigan; 855-995-5146; crystalmountain.com
The winter activities at this northern Michigan resort will tempt any kid, from laser tag to archery to sledding on the 1,700-foot-long alpine slide.
And then there’s the skiing. Up to four family members can get a personal tour of Crystal Mountain with a ski or snowboard instructor, or kids can learn in lessons grouped by age and ability. Parents can book Nanny McSki, certified instructors trained in child care who spend the day with the kiddos while they try out black-diamond trails or spa time. A variety of lodging is available (some pet-friendly), and kids up to 17 years old stay ski free on weekdays.
Premises are equipped with HEPA air and UV light filtration. Masking indoors is encouraged for unvaccinated visitors.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goersEllen Creager/Detroit Free Press/MCT
1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, Michigan; 855-688-7024; boynemountain.com
What the Midwest lacks in towering altitudes, it makes up for in glimmering lakeside towns like Boyne Falls, Michigan. There you’ll find Boyne Mountain — the one place to visit if you’re seeking out a classic ski-lodge experience where you can zip through the groomed cross-country trails during the day and sip cocktails and coffee around the fireplace at night. Within a few miles is Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan, which combined with Boyne Mountain adds up to more than 400 acres of skiable terrain.
To cap off the Hallmark-holiday aesthetic, Boyne Mountain offers plenty for apres-ski, or the nightlife following a day of skiing.
Ellen Creager/Detroit Free Press/MCT1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, Michigan; 855-688-7024; boynemountain.com
What the Midwest lacks in towering altitudes, it makes up for in glimmering lakeside towns like Boyne Falls, Michigan. There you’ll find Boyne Mountain — the one place to visit if you’re seeking out a classic ski-lodge experience where you can zip through the groomed cross-country trails during the day and sip cocktails and coffee around the fireplace at night. Within a few miles is Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan, which combined with Boyne Mountain adds up to more than 400 acres of skiable terrain.
To cap off the Hallmark-holiday aesthetic, Boyne Mountain offers plenty for apres-ski, or the nightlife following a day of skiing.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goersAlyssa Pointer, Chicago Tribune
11931 Fox River Road, Wilmot, Wisconsin
262-862-2301; wilmotmountain.com
Under the same ownership as Vail, Breckenridge, Alpine Valley and Brandywine and just over an hour drive from downtown Chicago, Wilmot Mountain is primed for a day trip or an impromptu getaway from the city.
Once you get your bearings, shoop down four green trails, seven blue trails and seven black-diamond trails, or test out freestyle terrain parks with ramps, fun boxes and halfpipes.
Face coverings are required indoors, and proof of vaccination is required for guests over 12 years old to dine at some restaurants, including ski-school programs that include lunch. Employees are required to be vaccinated and undergo daily health screenings.
Alyssa Pointer, Chicago Tribune11931 Fox River Road, Wilmot, Wisconsin
262-862-2301; wilmotmountain.com
Under the same ownership as Vail, Breckenridge, Alpine Valley and Brandywine and just over an hour drive from downtown Chicago, Wilmot Mountain is primed for a day trip or an impromptu getaway from the city.
Once you get your bearings, shoop down four green trails, seven blue trails and seven black-diamond trails, or test out freestyle terrain parks with ramps, fun boxes and halfpipes.
Face coverings are required indoors, and proof of vaccination is required for guests over 12 years old to dine at some restaurants, including ski-school programs that include lunch. Employees are required to be vaccinated and undergo daily health screenings.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goersBarbara Brotman/Chicago Tribune/TNS
W10441 Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, Wisconsin
608-742-5588; cascademountain.com
At Cascade Mountain, kids 12 and younger ski free with a paid adult ticket. That, plus the fact that it boasts some of the best terrain parks and longest, well-maintained runs in the Midwest and proximity to Wisconsin Dells, makes the resort a one-stop shop for families looking to stretch their winter vacation budget.
The resort underwent quite a few offseason updates in preparation for its 60th season, including newly lit terrain, resulting in 125 total acres available for night skiing.
Face coverings are not required for guests, but they are highly recommended, especially in crowded indoor spaces. Lifts will be loaded at full capacity, and those uncomfortable riding with other individuals should let the attendant know, and they’ll make accommodations. It’s usually packed, as most resorts are during the holiday season, but skiers — especially the early birds — might find solace in the resort’s limit on daily ticket sales.
Barbara Brotman/Chicago Tribune/TNSW10441 Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, Wisconsin
608-742-5588; cascademountain.com
At Cascade Mountain, kids 12 and younger ski free with a paid adult ticket. That, plus the fact that it boasts some of the best terrain parks and longest, well-maintained runs in the Midwest and proximity to Wisconsin Dells, makes the resort a one-stop shop for families looking to stretch their winter vacation budget.
The resort underwent quite a few offseason updates in preparation for its 60th season, including newly lit terrain, resulting in 125 total acres available for night skiing.
Face coverings are not required for guests, but they are highly recommended, especially in crowded indoor spaces. Lifts will be loaded at full capacity, and those uncomfortable riding with other individuals should let the attendant know, and they’ll make accommodations. It’s usually packed, as most resorts are during the holiday season, but skiers — especially the early birds — might find solace in the resort’s limit on daily ticket sales.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goersImage by Monica Volpin from Pixabay
8700 W Chestnut Mountain Road, Galena, Illinois; 800-397-1320
Chestnut offers 19 ski slopes and snowboard trails, a good chunk of which is catered toward beginners, with 12 green or blue trails, a bunny trail and Rookie’s Ridge.
Group ski lessons are $20 per hour. The Burton learn-to-ride snowboarding package includes a lift ticket, rental of snowboards designed for beginners and a two-hour lesson for $150.
And if you’ve never boarded a moving ski lift, worry not; Chestnut’s ski staff is equipped to help skiers every step of the way. Plus, the views of the Mississippi River from the hilltops are worth every tumble, slip and ungraceful fall.
Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Image by Monica Volpin from Pixabay8700 W Chestnut Mountain Road, Galena, Illinois; 800-397-1320
Chestnut offers 19 ski slopes and snowboard trails, a good chunk of which is catered toward beginners, with 12 green or blue trails, a bunny trail and Rookie’s Ridge.
Group ski lessons are $20 per hour. The Burton learn-to-ride snowboarding package includes a lift ticket, rental of snowboards designed for beginners and a two-hour lesson for $150.
And if you’ve never boarded a moving ski lift, worry not; Chestnut’s ski staff is equipped to help skiers every step of the way. Plus, the views of the Mississippi River from the hilltops are worth every tumble, slip and ungraceful fall.
Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.
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Midwest ski guide: 8 winter resorts tailored to families, day visitors or serious slope-goersImage by Josef Pichler from Pixabay
227200 Snowbird Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin; 715-845-2846
Granite Peak’s 68 runs and variety of terrain are what skiers would normally expect to find near the Rockies. And for Midwestern standards, this resort’s 700-foot vertical drop gives the illusion that you really are far from home.
The drop is by far the highest in Wisconsin and the third-tallest in the Midwest. The resort features 55 trails and 225 acres of terrain (the most for a Wisconsin resort), seven lifts and a powerful snow-making system.
Granite Peak is hoping to make things “as normal as possible” by not mandating masks for guests while skiing, riding chairlifts or waiting in lines, but they do hope skiers use their best judgment when it comes to COVID-19 safety.
Image by Josef Pichler from Pixabay227200 Snowbird Ave., Wausau, Wisconsin; 715-845-2846
Granite Peak’s 68 runs and variety of terrain are what skiers would normally expect to find near the Rockies. And for Midwestern standards, this resort’s 700-foot vertical drop gives the illusion that you really are far from home.
The drop is by far the highest in Wisconsin and the third-tallest in the Midwest. The resort features 55 trails and 225 acres of terrain (the most for a Wisconsin resort), seven lifts and a powerful snow-making system.
Granite Peak is hoping to make things “as normal as possible” by not mandating masks for guests while skiing, riding chairlifts or waiting in lines, but they do hope skiers use their best judgment when it comes to COVID-19 safety.
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