Thirty ski resorts lie within the borders of Wisconsin, far from the busy East Coast ski areas or the more expensive resorts of the Rocky Mountains and West Coast. Wisconsin resorts offer months of snow sports opportunities just a short drive from most population centers in the state and upper Midwest. The state's ski areas also include hundreds of miles of cross-country ski trails.
Fundamentals
Wisconsin offers more downhill ski and snowboard resorts than many states more immediately associated with the sports. Thick forests and elevations of about 2,000 feet led to the development of a variety of snow sports destinations that attract skiers and snowboarders from as far away as Chicago, according to the Ski Wisconsin website.
With the first significant snow usually falling in November, most of the state's resorts have bases deep enough to open by December, according to the Wisconsin Travel website. Snow-making capability supplements what nature provides, keeping most resorts open into March, according to Ski Wisconsin. Many of the state's ski areas stay open at night.
Highest Mountain, Adaptive Program
Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park, the highest skiable mountain in Wisconsin, installed a high-speed six-person chairlift, created new trails and constructed a new base lodge in the early 2000s, according to the Wisconsin Ski Resorts website.
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort offers 18 trails of as much as a quarter-mile in length, according to the Wisconsin Ski Resorts website. The resort also includes more than seven miles of trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
Devil's Head Resort in south central Wisconsin offers 29 downhill trails, 15 miles of cross-country trails and a popular adaptive skiing program for guests with disabilities.
Long Trails, Cliff Jumps
Mt. La Crosse includes Wisconsin's longest ski run and the Midwest's steepest trail among its varied terrain near the Mississippi River. It also offers 19 downhill trails and five miles of cross-country ski trails.
Christie Mountain Ski Area in northern Wisconsin's Blue Hills offers family-friendly beginner trails as well as advanced cliff jumps for more experienced skiers and boarders, according to the Wisconsin Ski Resorts website.
Alpine Valley Resort's 388-foot vertical rise in southern Wisconsin includes learning areas for beginners and advanced mogul runs for more adventuresome skiers. The resort's instructors offer racing programs as well as basic ski and snowboard lessons.
Urban Convenience
Crystal Ridge Ski area, just a 12-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee, includes snow-making capability on all of its 110 acres of trails, ensuring they stay open for the length of the season, according to the Wisconsin Ski Areas website.
Tyrol Basin, 20 miles west of Madison, includes tree-lined trails, a long bump run and terrain parks. Sunburst Ski Area, 35 miles north of Milwaukee, benefits from lake-effect snow blowing off of Lake Michigan to keep its 10 trails covered.
Christmas Mountain Village in the Wisconsin Dells area offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing and snowshoeing just an hour from Madison, Wisconsin, and two hours from Milwaukee.
Small Ski Areas
Wisconsin's other ski areas include Mont du Lac, Standing Rocks, Whitecap Mountains, Nordic Mountain, Wilmont Mountain, Mount Ashwabay, Cascade Mountain, Keyes Peak, Trollhaugen, Hidden Valley, Bruce Mound, Navrino Slopes and Camp 10, according to the Wisconsin Ski Resort website.
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