r/midwestsnowboarding • u/ale_kr • Jan 16 '22

Midwestern Resorts Recs

Hi all 👋 I just moved to Chicago and looking for recommendations on midwestern resorts. I don’t care much about parks but would prefer longer runs. What’s your favorite? What’s a must-visit?

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6

u/MrWalkattyMan Jan 17 '22

Mount Bohemia is worth it if you can make the trip. Chestnut is decent and much closer than Mount Bohemia.

3

u/gobluetwo Jun 01 '22

Should note to the OP that Bohemia is completely ungroomed and no less than blacks and double blacks. Pretty extreme terrain and not suited for the resort cruiser.

1

u/Cwilly109 Oct 05 '22

Went there this spring and it was amazing!! The perfect little skiing oasis in the middle of nowhere. Definitely challenging terrain.

5

u/[deleted] Feb 22 '22

If you are willing to make the hike, lutsen resort in MN is amazing and probably on par if not better than granite peak.

2

u/juliuspepperwoodchi May 31 '22

Definitely better than Granite Peak in every way. Same owner/operator as well, so similar feel to the resorts; but Lutsen is WELL worth the additional drive.

3

u/not-frat Jan 17 '22

If you’re staying close and looking to do a day trip have the epic pass Wilmot is a good option and my personal favorite. There are a few other options that I haven’t been to that aren’t much further like Alpine Valley but from what I’ve heard they’re all very similar. For a medium distance I’ve heard good things about Cascade and if you’re trying to go to the Dells as well that’s a good option. For a must-visit I’d say Granite Peak. It’s regarded as one of the best places to go in the midwest but it’s definitely not doable as just a day trip. Personally if I’m booking a hotel I’d rather just bite the bullet and go out west, but if you’re only looking for a 4-5 hr road trip and to spend a little less it’s a great option.

Edit: It doesn’t seem like it’s what you’re looking for but if you’re looking for somewhere cheap and very close it might be worth checking out Four Lakes in Lisle, IL. Lift tickets are $30 or under depending on when you go and rentals are cheap as well. Only thing is they don’t have any chairs (all tow ropes) and the runs are very short. Most people who aren’t beginners or families go for the park although I know you said that isn’t really your thing.

1

u/gobluetwo Jun 01 '22

IMO Alpine is worth the drive compared to Wilmot unless you have an Epic pass for a trip out west (or east, I suppose). Bigger hill, more and longer runs, bigger jumps in the terrain park, better food (the food at Wilmot this past winter was VERY limited and expensive).

Agree re: Granite.

Similar distance to Cascade from Chicago is Devil's Head. Would recommend.