I'm from Ohio, not Minnesota, but as a skier who did not grow up with rich parents, I was thrilled to see you post Highland Hills on your top 5 list. This is the kind of working-class ski hill I grew up on, with more in common with a roller rink or bowling alley than a destination resort. But that's all we needed. Close enough that you're home in time for supper and go to sleep in your own bed.
1. Lutsen Mountains (I love the double black area on Moose, Moose maze being my favorite) 2. Mount Bohemia (I also haven't been there, but I love cliffs and steeps, so this is perfect for me) 3. Trollhaugen (I love their vibe, and where the new run "Fall Line" is there are some great ungroomed chutes) 4. Bruce Mound (I havent been there, but the possible lines there look quite appealing) 5. Welch Village (The lap-ability of the Back Bowl makes it so amazing, along with the huge variety of runs and steeps)
Boho - awesome place. It is 100% expert terrain. No beginners. Even average skier will struggle. Trees & bumps. Be prepared for rocks! Awesome vibe there too.
My must visit on the west side of Lake Michigan would be Lutsen for the size, Bohemia and Granite Peak for the intensity, Cascade for the vibe and family friendly atmosphere, and Tyrol for an underrated and unknown hill with its very non Midwest like cliffs in the c chair area. (You could switch this one with Bruce mound or mt lacrosse but I haven’t been to either of these hills yet)
Great video! I didn’t realize Boyne has so much for families (Minnesotan here, haven’t skied in Michigan). Top 5 I have skied: Lutsen Granite Peak (got over 35k vertical feet in one 9 hour day last year and loved every minute of it. Welch (best range of difficulty near the TC metro) Spirit (big superior views and longer runs make this a treat) Mt La Crosse (admittedly nostalgic for me since this is where I learned back in college. Boasting the steepest run in WI and also the mile away, there’s something for everyone.)
Agree with the top four. My two local bergs wouldn't make many top five lists but would be strong contenders for the top dozen. Caberfae has much of what makes Nubs so special, top notch snowmaking and a focus on snowsports without a lot of fluff. If you really like the resort stuff than Crystal (of Thomsonville) is quite a sprawl with a touch of luxury.
@@MidwestSkiers Caberfae is my season pass hill so I'm there usually twice a week on random weekdays. I've done a lot of videos about it on my HillOrStream channel. If your ever going to be there on a good snow day find me and I'll show you around the Darkside and Backcountry! At Crystal there are a few steep spots but the lack of vertical makes them toothless. Nice easy glades in back. Make sure you visit all the lifts, not much else to do. There is a lift in back I probably missed for years! I'd thought it was the back of one of the front lifts so I never went over to what turns out to be it's own little pod.
I consider this ski area in the Midwest although just outside Sault St. Marie, Ont, across the Soo Locjs from Michigan. Searchmont is a wonderful area. Has over 700' vertical and runs with nice pitch top to bottom.
Been to all except for that little guy near Minneapolis. Would HIGHLY suggest Chestnut Mountain Resort in Illinois tho. Yes, Illinois. Its cool to tick off ski resorts in states you haven't visited yet and there is really only one legit hill in Illinois and it steps up in big ways. The views down the Mississippi River from high up on the bluff, the super steep Warpath ski run, the sweeping / rock cliffed Crazy Horse run, the great restaurant/bar, the snack cafe, the hotel with fantastic views, reasonable prices, no lift lines, great staff, good grooming and surprising vert (for any resort in the midwest)... Chestnut is definitely worth a trip.
Chestnut is an interesting suggestion. Along those lines I'd suggest Sundown across the river in IA. The view may not be quite as good, but the trail layout and skiing in general is somewhat better. For excellent river views and skiing on very steep bluffs, Wintergreen was amazing, but it's been closed for 30 years. :{
Looks like others overlap with mine: -Lutsen - Biggest and most Western like destination. 100% must visit. -Mt Bohemia - the best terrain, snow quality, steeps and great vibe. -Chestnut - Top notch views of the big river, Warpath and Crazy Horse, great ski in ski out and bar. -Granite Peak - Fast lifts, steep top with plenty of variety, long runs and good views -Torn between Big Powderhorn or Snowriver but will give nod to latter since it has two resorts packaged into one. When then connect the two SR resorts then it's must visit. Wouldn't put Boyne or Nub's ahead of these as must visit in Midwest. Never been to Giant's Ridge but want to, and same with Searchmont. Both look great. Mont Ripley is great for certain things but wouldn't place it above the five I named.
1. Lutsen 2.Sure Mt. Bohemia can be on there 3. Giant's Ridge 4.SnowRver/Blackjack mountain 5. I don't know...... that's tough to pick only one other...........
Maybe not worth bumping your top 5 but Devils Head. Because it's south facing, it can do a reverse thaw-freeze cycle that makes it super fast at night. It can be heaven or hell, hence the name (maybe)
Love the list and Hyland's inclusion. It is closer to my office than any McDonald's. Speaking of accessible, tons of kids learn here or go for the first time and others that wouldn't ever be able to go. Hyland is host to a huge adaptive skiing population, shout out to Courage Kenny!
Great list, been to all but Hylands and agree with the list. Would’ve added honorable mentions for places like Cascade, Caberfae, Pine Mountain for local places with a lot to offer. And Granite Peak for their terrain and lift capacity for a Midwest area with some of the best snowmaking around.
Michigan has mountains, there's a whole range of them. Huron Mountains. There's also a secret village of celebrities that live in them, call the Huron Mountain Club.
I've only been to MI resorts in the midwest, but I think it has to be Boyne #1 for me. That they could stay open until April 20 this year, and even put in a few park features for that one day is pretty awesome. Most resorts don't go that hard and had closed several weeks prior.
Awesome video. I need to hit HH. You could've included The Highlands (across from nubs) in with boyne mtn since you can hit them both same day with one ticket (for ikoners) plus they have good mtb bike trails in the summer. Searchmont should be included with mw ski resorts too, imo. Keep up the great work and thanks!
Snow Trails in ohio is sixteen minutes from my house so that makes it my favorite, plus its privately owned,so down earth people run it....lots of fun..... i like your vidios...
Hidden valley stl gets such a bad rep but the vibe there is amazing and we have a great park crew as we’ll definitely a bucket list visit in the Midwest little bit of everything there
I did not know the Midwest even has mountains besides Appalachia which is more East Coast. But in Michigan and Minnesota, and Wisconsin ? I had no idea.
We have lots of skiing & snowboarding options (over 120 ski areas.) Michigan and Wisconsin actually have the most ski areas of any state besides New York
I think my list would follow the same format (big destination, Boho, Advanced lifts, skiing focus, small hill), but change up a lot of them. I'd replace Lutsen with Whitecap. This is probably a controversial change, but I think Whitecap covers the idea of a "Midwest destination", while Lutsen is more trying to be a western resort. Plus I like the terrain better there, despite the small vertical, and the large feel of the area with that small vertical is really unique. Boho I'd obviously keep. I may put Granite Peak in instead of Boyne, as its meteoric expansion and more impressive snowmaking more represents that growth potential in the Midwest. I'd replace Nubs with Caberfae, as Caberfae literally built itself up, and still follows the same skier-focused ethos. Finally I'd replace Hylands with Buck Hill, as the ski racing history there is much stronger than Hyland, and the aspects of parks and beginners are still there. First one out would be Adventure Mountain in the UP. Rope tow, no snowmaking, super cheap, that's it.
'only skied about 10 Midwest areas. Lutsen makes a top 5 list. Porcupine Mt. always had a nice relaxed feel with great lake views. Top on the list of places I would like to visit but have not are Whitecap and Bruce Mound. Both appear to have very interesting terrain. To finish a list of 5 I'll list Tyrol Basin, if only because my family took me there often when I was a kid, and it is quintessentially "Midwestern". 'never been to Bohemia but my suspicion is you have your choice of rocks and tree stumps, or hopeless lifelines.
why I've never been to BoHo: if it's GOOD: it's undriveable to get all the way up to Bumfuq UP Michigan. If I can make it there, it probably sucks. Also, why would I own powder skis in the Midwest.
Ummmm Giant's Ridge should be on here WAY before Hyland Hills. I don't go there anymore, because they have no pitch and nothing anywhere near difficult. Yes they're terrain Park is unreal. But that does not make them in the top five in my opinion. Not even close..
