Although we can't shred together this ski season, Hoofers Ski and Snowboard still wants to give you to opportunity the explore hills with your friends. Here's a list of some resorts to give you some inspiration! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook in case we drop some deals!
Lift Ticket Price: $103 per day - Deal with Mt. Bohemia that if you alsoo have a $99 Mt. Bohemia season pass and you stay at their hotel, then you ski for free
Rental Price: $48
Discount: Epic, Ikon, Hoofers, college, etc.
Distance from Madison: 1,350 miles, 21 hours
Big Sky Resort
Location: Big Sky, MT
Annual Average Snowfall: 400 in @ Lone Peak
Skiable Vertical: 3,666 ft / m - Lone Peak's 11,166 ft elevation is the highest in the Northern Rockies
Pros: Due to the large size of Big Sky, it is uncommon to have to wait in lines at the lift. There is plenty of lodging available resulting from the construction boom that has occurred over the past 5 years. Although the average snowfall is average when compared to other resorts in the Rocky Mountains, they receive snow more consistently than other resorts increasing the odds you get dumped on.
Cons: Due to the remoteness of Big Sky and the small size of Bozeman’s airport traveling to the resort is harder than many other resorts in the Rockies.
Discount: Ikon (7 days included), The Mountain Collective (2 days included)
Distance from Madison: 19hr 12min (1,270 miles)
Tips and Tricks: Be sure to traverse over to the south side of the mountain on pow days which is serviced by the Dakota and Shedhorn lift chair to find powder stashes and fresh tracks all day long.
Midwest
Porcupine Mountains
Location: Carp Lake Township, Upper Peninsula, MI
Annual Average Snowfall: 200 in - 300 in years are common
Pros: Panorama views of Lake Superior, 20 feet of lake affect pow, and no crowds
Cons: Pretty much the middle of nowhere; road is only plowed up to the entrance to the ski hill, not much apres available besides your group unless you stay in Ontonagon 20 minutes away, only open Friday-Monday besides December 15 to approx the first week in January they are open every day.
Lift Ticket Price: $45 per day - $200 for season pass with two free days at Mt. Bohemia
Rental Price: $30
Distance from Madison: 5 hr, 295 miles
Tips and Tricks: Any of the glades runs will probably have fresh tracks to be found if it has snowed a significant amount in the week leading up to, some sweet cliffs off of the Jungle, primitive cabins and yurts available to rent for $68 dollars that hold 2-8 people from the DNR, Midwest backcountry opportunities to be had, ask Will who is VP Trips on the exec board and is working there this winter break, Syl’s is the cafe to hit for breakfast
Mt. Bohemia
Location: Mohawk, Upper Peninsula, MI - the most northern tip of the Upper Peninsula
Annual Average Snowfall: 273 in
Skiable Vertical: 670 ft
Skiable Acres: 250
% Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced: Intermediate & advanced (not a place for beginners)
Pros: Mt. Bohemia's location in the upper peninsula leads to high amounts of lake effect snow which combined with its challenging terrain and tree runs creates a skiing experience comparable to going out west without ever leaving the midwest
Cons: The entire resort operates with only two lift chairs which can create long wait times, especially on the weekends
Pros: Not only does Devil’s Head Resort offer the highest vertical drop in Southern Wisconsin their runs are some of the longest as well. Its location in the Baraboo bluffs means it tends to get more snow than the other resorts in the area.
Cons: Some of the lifts are very old and therefore hold fewer people per chair and are slower than the modern speed lifts featured at other local resorts.
Discount: $16 Thursday nights ONLY, Season pass $449, typically discounted tickets for $45 are available between November 27th and December 16th.
Distance from Madison: 47 min, 39 miles
Tips and Tricks: The Outer Limits are double black diamond runs that provide the steepest terrain at Devil’s Head but the lift that services them only operates on the busy weekends.
Lift Ticket Price: $249 season pass, $25 weeknights (Tuesday-Thursday), $44 all day weekends, $33 weekend day pass
Rental Price: $25 day rental, $15 night rental
Tubing Price: $20 for 2 hours
Distance from Madison: 30-45 min
Tips and Tricks: Super uncrowded on weeknights. Known for their terrain park relative to small size and massive tubing hills. Very beginner/family friendly with lots of relatively cheap lesson options (about $50/hour-private lesson).
