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Why do we ski in the midwest?

#1
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4/17/06 at 11:05am
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Skiing inthe midwest this season began Wed., Nov 16, 2005 and ended yesterday, April 16. The season is over here.

Many people wonder why we ski in the midwest anyway. How much fun can it be to ski on a run with 400 ft. vertical that lasts less than a minute? Well, there are many good reasons to ski the midwest:

- You are seldom more than a minute or two away from the bar.

- You can't get lost.

- If you get on the lift with a real a**hole, don't worry, you'll be off the lift in just a few minutes.

- You do get to know the other "regulars" because on many weekdays you are the only skiers there.

- Good place to ski if you are scared of heights.

- If you get hurt, it is a short toboggan ride to the Ski Patrol room.

- Of course the main reason we ski in the midwest is because it is close to home.

Any other reasons to ski the midwest?
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#2
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4/17/06 at 11:29am
  • Joined: November 2005
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I've said it before and I'll say it again....
All these little hills are jewels in our back yard.

I may not ski Mountains, but I ski 3-4 times a week and have a smile on my face all the time I'm doing it.

That smile on my face is reason enough!

Surviving is essential, thriving is incredible!
EpicSki Academy

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#3
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4/17/06 at 11:50am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trekchick
I've said it before and I'll say it again....
All these little hills are jewels in our back yard.

I may not ski Mountains, but I ski 3-4 times a week and have a smile on my face all the time I'm doing it.

That smile on my face is reason enough!
Yep.

You guys ski the mid-West for the same reason I ski the Mid-Atlantic...because that's what you have close and available.

I've never had a bad day on skis, regardless of location.

 Coach

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#4
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4/17/06 at 11:56am
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I agree with Coach ^^^^^^ and logged plenty of days at Ski Roundtop/Whitetail this year. I wish I lived near the big mountians, but am content to make the most out of what is in easy driving distance.
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#5
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4/17/06 at 12:41pm
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Because skiing in the Mid-west, or Centeral New York, is better then not skiing.

In the last 10 years I have gone from Germany/Austria to Colorado to CNY.

The last move was a real heart breaker as far as skiing goes, but it was the right thing to do for my family.

To paraphrase Elton John(

I'm still skiing!
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#6
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4/17/06 at 1:01pm
  • Joined: March 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coach13
Yep.

You guys ski the mid-West for the same reason I ski the Mid-Atlantic...because that's what you have close and available.

I've never had a bad day on skis, regardless of location.
Pretty much the same I was going to say...You'll ski anywhere you can, if you want to ski and that's all that's available. I've skiid the hill behind my parents home in Placerville, Ca when it's snowed...My brothers and I built a kicker and had all sorts of frills and spills.
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#7
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4/17/06 at 1:11pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tief schnee
Because skiing in the Mid-west, or Centeral New York, is better then not skiing.
Right you are!!! Try living 1,200 miles from ANY skiable mountain. Ya'll lucky!

The last ski trip was the best ever. until the next one! 

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#8
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4/17/06 at 1:19pm
  • Joined: January 2006
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Mount Bohemia!!

And teaching a brand new skier. If you quit after 2 hours you don't feel like you lost the whole day.
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#9
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4/17/06 at 1:21pm
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Agree on all points made above. I don't ski anywhere east of the rockies more than a couple days a season because I'm 4 hours from ANY skiing and 5.5 from anything decent.

Given the travel time involved I just go out west and I'm lucky enough to be able to afford it most times. If I couldn't afford the extra cash necessary to go out west I would still probably not ski more than 5 or 6 days in this area as it just takes too long to get there.

I would love to have a 400' vert hill in easy driving distance and Except when I am out west I envy those who do.
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#10
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4/17/06 at 1:37pm
  • Joined: August 2005
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The saving grace of midwest skiing is kids love it and parents can let them have the run of the hill without them getting into trouble.

My family always recalls our ski trips to the U.P. whenever we talk about great family times. We tend to ski out-west or in Vermont now, but our ski trips to Michigan were more pure fun and less headache than our "better" trips to larger resorts.

Cheers,

Michael
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#11
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4/17/06 at 6:18pm
  • Joined: October 2004
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You forgot that skiing in the midwest teaches you to turn. If you don't make turns, the ride is short and boring.
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#12
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4/18/06 at 5:33am
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Because it is fun and accessible. Besides what else is there to do outside in the winter in Minnesota.
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#13
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4/18/06 at 6:04am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tief schnee
Because skiing in the Mid-west, or Centeral New York, is better then not skiing.

In the last 10 years I have gone from Germany/Austria to Colorado to CNY.

The last move was a real heart breaker as far as skiing goes, but it was the right thing to do for my family.

To paraphrase Elton John(

I'm still skiing!
tief schnee,

Even a little hill can ski rather nicely if it is covered with guten schnee.

I visited Ithaca College, Syracuse U and some other NY schools three or four of years ago when one of my daughters was applying for colleges with Journalism schools. Ithaca College's location on a hill high above Cayuga Lake was memorably beautiful. It reminded me of a ski resort! As we toured the grounds I couldn't help speculate on what ski areas might be in her (and my) future if she enrolled there. She didn't go to school there, but you are not allowed to feel sorry for yourself. The town of Ithaca and the surrounding Finger Lakes region is a beautiful location in many respects.
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#14
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4/18/06 at 7:59am
  • Joined: June 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coach13

I've never had a bad day on skis, regardless of location.
Skiing in the rain is the only time I have not been able to find some redeaming quality in a day/hill.

I hail from western Canada and have never skied east of the Rockies...and probably never will. Doesn't make sense to go east when there are so many great mountains closer by.

That all said, let's have some pictures of these mid-west and eastern hills!
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#15
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4/18/06 at 8:21am
  • Joined: January 2006
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Why do we ski in the Midwest???

Because it's better than working.

Because even 400' gives you time with your family and friends building memories that will last forever.

Because it's more fun than ice fishing

Because it's fun to see how many times you can turn in one run.

Because 30 chair rides gives you 30 chances to meet new friends.

Because there's no such thing as bad skiing......there's only skiing, or NOT skiing.
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#16
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4/18/06 at 8:35am
  • Joined: December 2004
  • Location: Ithaca
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamesj
..........The town of Ithaca and the surrounding Finger Lakes region is a beautiful location in many respects.
Yes it is.

I do not regret moving here, but the skiing is different. If Cornell had to relocate to Jackson Hole I would be ok with that.

And oh yeah, what Volklgirl said^^^^
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#17
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4/18/06 at 9:31am
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Here's a 2/06 shot from near the top of Wintergreen, VA ski area about 30 miles west of Charlottesville. This ski area has a 1000' vertical. The mtns are about 4000' high in this vicinity. http://community.webshots.com/myphot...ecurity=BiElef

Here's a 1/06 shot from the summit of Liberty Mtn, PA ski area (600' vertical) about 15 miles south of Gettysburg. http://community.webshots.com/myphot...ecurity=FHQJSV

Here's a 12/02 shot from the slopes of Wisp, MD ski area (600' vertical) about 35 miles west of Cumberland. Deep Creek Lake in background has surface area of about 4000 acres. Shot taken on day of a major ice event, but trail conditions were good nonetheless. http://community.webshots.com/myphot...ecurity=DKCqIX

Can you see these photos? Links are to Webshots album which I may not have set up properly.

OK, show us more from Midwest or East
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#18
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4/18/06 at 10:33am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goriders
Skiing in the rain is the only time I have not been able to find some redeaming quality in a day/hill.
Weather be damned!! If there's snow and I have the chance, I ski.

A little rain holds the crowds down here, so even that cloud has a silver lining.

 Coach

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#19
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4/18/06 at 12:42pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamesj
Can you see these photos? Links are to Webshots album which I may not have set up properly.

OK, show us more from Midwest or East
Thanks - yes you can see them. Those are great! Thanks for sharing. Love pictures of the smaller hills. The vertical may be small but the fun is always big! And the best skier is the one who has the most fun, right?

Quote:
Originally Posted by coach13
Weather be damned!! If there's snow and I have the chance, I ski.

A little rain holds the crowds down here, so even that cloud has a silver lining.
I can never get used to the feeling that I am having a flashback. I am 2 years old and have just filled my diaper. Again. Hopefully this is a flash back and not a foreshadowing...oh, well - that will be my kids' problem.

Anyways - also could never figure out the visability thing in the rain. Way too anoying. Where is your home area, Coach13?

I do appreciated anyone who is brave/crazy enough to brave the elements but I have to draw the line at: rain, -15 with blizzard conditions, -20 with sun.

Coldest I ever skied was -38 celcius. Painful. Snow crystals were so sharp you could hardly move.
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#20
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4/18/06 at 12:50pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goriders

That all said, let's have some pictures of these mid-west and eastern hills!
Alpine Valley Resort, Wisconsin, 388 vertical after they added 100' in the late '70s:

looking up:
http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/hillup.jpg

looking down (not quite from the top):
http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/hilldown.jpg

from the side:
http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/hillside.jpg

from a distance:
http://home.comcast.net/~mhealy16/sk...2004/av4x6.jpg

in the parking lot, last day, 2005:
http://home.comcast.net/~mhealy16/sk...day2005sm2.jpg
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#21
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4/18/06 at 12:51pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MWskier
Alpine Valley Resort, Wisconsin, 388 vertical after they added 100' in the late '70s:

looking up:
http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/hillup.jpg
Is that a pool of water at the bottom of the hill?
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#22
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4/18/06 at 6:00pm
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  • Location: Illinois
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goriders
Is that a pool of water at the bottom of the hill?
It's a stream. Three bridges cross it and one chairlift.

See: http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/hilldown.jpg
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#23
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4/18/06 at 6:10pm
  • Joined: November 2005
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Here a few nice grins from my local hill.





I don't see any sad faces on this chair

Surviving is essential, thriving is incredible!
EpicSki Academy

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#24
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4/18/06 at 6:22pm
  • Joined: April 2001
  • Location: Salt Lake, Utah
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Here's some more midwest ski area pics for the thread: Grand Geneva (the old Playboy Club), Alpine Valley, Wilmot, Chestnut.... http://www.skistreak.com/2004/30days/
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#25
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4/18/06 at 6:33pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by endlessseason
Here's some more midwest ski area pics for the thread: Grand Geneva (the old Playboy Club), Alpine Valley, Wilmot, Chestnut.... http://www.skistreak.com/2004/30days/
Great pictures! If you are ever this way again look me up and we'll take a few runs.
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#26
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4/18/06 at 8:23pm
  • Joined: May 2004
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Here's the view from the top of Boyne Mountain's Meadows run


This is Searchmont near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Can.
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#27
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4/19/06 at 8:05am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by endlessseason
Here's some more midwest ski area pics for the thread: Grand Geneva (the old Playboy Club), Alpine Valley, Wilmot, Chestnut.... http://www.skistreak.com/2004/30days/
Awesome little page! I think I went through every picture...thanks for sharing your adventure. Looks like you had too much fun!
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#28
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4/19/06 at 8:17am
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  • Location: Minnesota
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Endlessseason - Great pictures (especially the Utah powder): They remind me why I ski Minnesota but get out to the western mountains as much as I can (not enough tho)
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#29
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4/19/06 at 8:47am
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I started skiing at Boston Mills, near my old hometown of Hudson, Oh.

Only a 240ft vertical!

Here's what I can say:

When you're 11 years old, a 240 vert feels big. Not huge, but big.

You can refine techniques to perfection on a small hill just as you can anywhere else.

The overall level of fun has never seemed higher to me at a big mountain; it's just interrupted less frequently.

I still have warm memories of Boston Mills. (Even tho the french fries are still way overpriced!)

 I probably disagree.

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#30
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4/19/06 at 10:23am
  • Joined: January 2003
  • Location: Shorewood IL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by volklgirl
Because it's better than working.

Because even 400' gives you time with your family and friends building memories that will last forever.

Because it's more fun than ice fishing

Because it's fun to see how many times you can turn in one run.

Because 30 chair rides gives you 30 chances to meet new friends.

Because there's no such thing as bad skiing......there's only skiing, or NOT skiing.
I agree,

I have to drive 100 miles (2 hours) to get to Alpine Valley or 200 miles (3 hours) to get to Cascade mountain. My 9 y.o. daughter and I drove that every weekend this year to get out. Sometimes you've got to do what it takes! I wish I lived out west, I can't imagine how awesome that would be!
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