midwest skiing

“any midwest skiers out there that can help me. I don't have the vacation time for a colorado or utah trip so 1 day at a michigan or wisconsin hill is going to have to do. anyone out there been to rib mountain,WI or Boyne, MI or caberfea peaks MI. i know 500-600 ft of vertical is not much but i should satisfy the craving for a little while.”

“ed, we just got from 6-10 inches of snow here in north central Wisconsin, adding to the artificial base that Rib Mountain has been making since before Thanksgiving. I don't downhill, so I can't vouch for the runs at Rib. Nothing that can compare to out west, certainly. But the lift trips up are shorter too, lol.

Have you thought about U.P. slopes such as Blackjack near Bessemer, or Marquette Mountain at Marquette? Both spots have been getting fresh snow in recent days.

BTW, I responded to your question about SD flex bags on the sleeping bag thread you started.”

“thanks for the reply to both posts. i think i am going to buy the SD bag with xmas cash. i went to the up this summer but for me its like 10 hour drive. so it would be kind of hard to ski till 4 and then drive home to central illinois and work the next day.”

“I can certainly understand that. I live an hour north of Wausau. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive to Marquette, a little longer in the winter since it's all 2-lane and tends to get spotty plowing.

Rib Mountain seems to have some fairly steep, if not real long, runs. And Wausau is an okay city. Usually blues bands on the weekends at Scott Street Steak and Pub downtown (tends to have a good variety of tap brews).”

“Ed, not sure quite where you're at, but have you tried Chestnut near Galena of Sundown at Dubuque? Also, in Wisconsin, Devil's Head? I mt. biked at Devil's Head, near Merrimac, I think.”

“Snow Creek in western Missouri.”

“If you're really desparate with time and skiing, there's Alpine Valley west of Madison, WI. I don't downhill, but it is a popular spot just off the interstate.”