11 of the Best Ski Resorts in the Midwest

With destinations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and more, these are some of the best spots to ski in the Midwest.

<p>Courtesy of Mad River Mountain</p>

Courtesy of Mad River Mountain

Cold winters and abundant snowfall in much of the Midwest create prime conditions for skiing, whether you prefer zipping downhill or coasting along Nordic-style. If you’re a first-time skier or need more confidence, most resorts offer private or group lessons. Snow-making machines further the fun at these locales, too, making a day at the slopes possible even when nature doesn't cooperate. With destinations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and more, here are 11 of the best ski resorts in the Midwest for your next winter getaway.

Related: These Are the 10 Coolest Ski Destinations in America Right Now — Plus Tips for the Perfect Trip

Granite Peak, Wausau, Wisconsin

<p>Courtesy of Granite Peak</p>

Courtesy of Granite Peak

Not only is Granite Peak the second-highest point in the state, but skiing has taken place here since the 1930s, with Fred Pabst (Pabst Brewing Company heir and a skier himself) as the first owner and operator. Anchored by Rib Mountain, the 225-acre resort offers 60 trails, 74 runs, and a 700-foot vertical drop. Fresh from $4 million in improvements in 2021, Granite Peak also features the 10,000-square-foot Sundance Chalet restaurant for après-ski fare.

Cascade Mountain, Portage, Wisconsin

<p>Courtesy of Cascade Mountain</p>

Courtesy of Cascade Mountain

An easy 45-minute drive north of Madison, Cascade Mountain celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2022 and has been owned by the same family (now on its third generation) since its inception. The 175-acre park includes four terrain areas that add up to 48 runs. A 900-foot-long snow-tubing chute is also available, offering a wintry riff on the waterslides of the nearby "Water Park Capital of the World," Wisconsin Dells.

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort, Mohawk, Michigan

<p>Chris Guibert</p>

Chris Guibert

Nestled along Michigan’s U.P. (local-speak for “Upper Peninsula”) in the Keweenaw Peninsula, where an average annual snowfall of 273 inches means there's no need for snow-making, Mount Bohemia has some of the deepest powder in the Midwest. This 95-run resort is one of the region's newest, having only opened in 2000, but it packs a punch: Mount Bohemia’s vertical drop of 900 feet is the tallest in Michigan.

Chestnut Mountain Resort, Galena, Illinois

<p>Topher Donahue/Getty Images</p>

Topher Donahue/Getty Images

Perched near the banks of the Mississippi River, the 220-acre Chestnut Mountain Resort boasts a 100-room hotel with an indoor pool, plus surf-and-turf fare at The Summit Food & Spirits. With these amenities and its proximity to Chicago (a three-hour drive away), this resort is a favorite among powder-seeking city dwellers. Its 19 trails are split between two parks — Far Side Terrain Park (with a quarter pipe and two half pipes) and Chestnut (with a 475-foot vertical drop).

Perfect North Slopes, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

<p>Courtesy of Perfect North Slopes</p>

Courtesy of Perfect North Slopes

Near the Kentucky and Ohio borders in southeastern Indiana, this resort features three parks and 23 trails that range from beginner to advanced. In a cool twist, Perfect North, which was founded in the 1980s by a few local families, is where Olympic-medal-winning freestyle skier Nick Goepper first learned to ski. Though it's the southernmost resort on this list, it's a popular option for ski lovers from Cincinnati (30 minutes away) and Indianapolis (an hour and a half away).

Mad River Mountain, Zanesfield, Ohio

<p>Courtesy of Mad River Mountain</p>

Courtesy of Mad River Mountain

With its namesake mountain at 1,460 feet in elevation, this ski resort near Columbus is Ohio’s largest. Although it's been open since the 1960s, Mad River Mountain got a new jolt of energy in 2019 when it came under the management of Vail Resorts. A fun Olympic tie-in is that Putzi Frandl, a former alpine ski racer from Austria, once worked here as an instructor after competing in the 1956 and 1960 Winter Olympics. For slopeside dining at Mad River, choose between a quick-serve cafeteria and a lofted bar and grill overlooking the terrain.

Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls, Michigan

<p>Courtesy of Boyne Mountain</p>

Courtesy of Boyne Mountain

With 415 skiable acres and a 500-foot vertical drop, Boyne Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in the Midwest. Dating back to the 1940s, it now boasts a veritable village of lodging and dining options in addition to its 60 ski trails. Try the Chalet Edelweiss, an Alpine-inspired boutique hotel unveiled in 2021, for the resort's most luxurious rooms. What's more, Boyne Mountain is one of just two Midwestern properties included in the Ikon Pass — making it perfect for pass holders in the Heartland who want to use their perks without hopping on a plane.

Snowriver Mountain Resort, Wakefield, Michigan

<p>PaaschPhotography/Getty Images</p>

PaaschPhotography/Getty Images

In 2022, this two-mountain resort in Michigan's western U.P., formerly known as Big Snow, was purchased by Midwest Family Ski Resorts and rebranded as Snowriver. Post-acquisition updates are ongoing throughout the property, but the skiing is as good as ever, with vertical drops of 638 feet at Jackson Creek (previously called Indianhead Mountain) and 490 feet at Black River Basin (previously called Blackjack Mountain).

Giants Ridge Recreation Area, Biwabik, Minnesota

<p>Old Saw Media</p>

Old Saw Media

Located 70 miles north of Duluth, this 202-acre resort’s 35 ski runs are joined by little luxuries — three restaurants, a spa, and on-site lodging that ranges from one-bedroom suites to standalone multistory guesthouses. Giants Ridge offers a 500-foot vertical drop and Olympic-class, groomed Nordic ski trails — and it's just a two-hour drive from Grand Marais, the Minnesota village that Travel + Leisure recently named the best small lake town in America.

Afton Alps, Hastings, Minnesota

<p>Courtesy of Afton Alps</p>

Courtesy of Afton Alps

Along the St. Croix River 33 miles from downtown Minneapolis, there are 50 trails — including a 350-foot vertical drop — at this 300-acre resort. Four chalets are a sweet spot to stay warm and toasty while grabbing a drink or a meal. Although a group of family farmers launched Afton Alps in 1963, turning it into a popular winter getaway spot for the Twin Cities, Vail Resorts has owned the resort since 2012.

Sundown Mountain Resort, Dubuque, Iowa

<p>Courtesy of Sundown Mountain Resort</p>

Courtesy of Sundown Mountain Resort

Split into two parks, this 85-acre resort features 21 ski runs and a vertical drop of 475 feet. Sundown Mountain Resort also offers warming stations (this is the Midwest, after all!) and on-mountain dining options that range from the Tips Up bar and grill — featuring two fireplaces and bowls of hot chili — to Molly’s Mountaintop Coffee (boasting a great s’mores latte) and ski-in beverage bar The Barn.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.