Granite Peak

Granite Peak is an excellent midwest resort. Alot of different terrain to seek out. One of the few resorts in the midwest that your not bored by noon with. Quite a few run though there 72+ runs they advertise are misleading. They name the top part of run and the bottom part of the run. Reality more around 40 to 45 runs. They also have many tree gladed runs(about 7 to 8). Most tree runs are pretty blue but it allows the kids to have fun and let them tune there skills in the trees. They also have 3 mogul runs. I'm not a big park guy but I play in it here and there. But overall its the best I've seen in the midwest. Some boarders I talk to say its one of the best in the midwest. They have four seperate parks with a variety. Best part is they have an excellent lift system so lines are minimal. Lifts include a high speed six person in the most crowded area so it keeps you skiing instead of standing in line. Rumor has it another High Speed lift is going in either next year or the following year. Overall the runs are fairly long by midwest standards. Really only downfall is its top heavy on vertical so towards the bottom it flatings out quicker then most.

 

Facility stand point it doesn't really get much better then this in the midwest. All buildings are brand new or remodeled in the last few years. Excellent bar area with HDTV's, 2 Fire Places, great view of the ski hill, food, and live music every Sat.. They also have a very large heated patio in front of the bar looking up at the ski hill. Patio has many tables with heaters, a large firepit, and they cook up food on the weekends out there. Excellent 10,0000 sq. ft general chalet with food. Almost always room to get a table and warm up. Has a TV or two and a couple large fireplaces. They also a have full tune shop, rental shop, and pro shop in another building.

 

Lodging side of things is zero on the hill. In the next three years the first ski in/out lodge is suppose to be built. Granite Peaks base is the City of Wausau which has a population of about 75K. So you got many lodging opitions that are inexpensive. You don't have to pay the jacked up prices of the resorts.

 

Being that your right in Wausau you have a decent nightlife and many resturants to explore. 

 

Family side of things Granite Peak has various events going on through the season. They have excellent combo ticket of Adult and child for like $60 to help keep the prices down. But a single adult is about $52 a day or so. Pricey by midwest standards. But with that your getting all around better ski experience then most and if your coming from the south it saves you about 2 hours of driving to Big Snow Country hills.

 

But overall excellent ski resort for the midwest.

 

 

Some runs at Rib Mountain are sorta steep for the first 100 feet, then they flatten WAAAAAYYYY out. If the wind is blowing from the north, you will likely have to skate just to get to the lift - it's that flat. But the snow isusually nice a hard due to the massive snowmaking and wind-blasted exposure. Lift ticket prices are unreal as well - I guess they gotta pay for all the lifts and killer parking lot and fabulous lodge somehow.

Really - there are way better options in the general vicinity. White Cap. Marquette, even Brule is probably a better option. I've only been to Devil's Head in the summer for DH races, but I'll bet that place is way more fun than Rib. I'd recommend Bohemia, but the two places are so different it may as well be different sports. Seriously - the only guys I've ever heard that think Rib is great are 1) people who just started and have only skied Rib and 2) guys who live in Wausau and only ski Rib.

I know it sounds like I'm being way too negative here, but it's the truth. They have a nice huge parking lot, a beautiful lodge and lots of big high-speed lifts, but they forgot that the skiing is actually what matters. Marquette has a WAY better park, Bohemia is WAY steeper and deeper and pretty much any little one-lift area in the region is more interesting. Pretty sure all the above areas are cheaper as well. But Granite Peak does have Hi Def.

I would recommend Granite Peak to people who live close by and are just learning or maybe to terminally intermediate families whi like to ski a little and then hang out and eat and stuff. For skiing, anywhere but Rib.

Had a great weekend. Got a 3 day pass for $124 ea.