Midwest Ski Resorts Get Summer Upgrades

July 24, 2001–Lack of snow hasn’t kept Midwest ski resorts from being active in the summer months. Many are in the process of making vast improvements. While it’s still too soon to detail all of the changes and upgrades, expect some noticeable changes when you visit your favorite resort this winter.

Illinois

Chestnut Mountain Resort expanded snowmaking and the rental added 250 more snowboards. In the hotel, a number of suites are being renovated. Ski Snowstar doubled the size of their lodge for the coming season.

Indiana

Perfect North Slopes will feature almost all-new rental equipment along with additional beginner learning areas and snowmaking.

Iowa

Seven Oaks Recreation is adding a 210-foot vertical drop snow tubing area. Sundown Mountain Ski Area purchased five acres to expand their learning facilities. The new area includes a 200-foot long Magic Carpet conveyor lift.

Michigan

Mont Ripley in the Upper Peninsula is rebuilding some of the facilities for the USSA Homologated race course and has started fund raising to triple the size of the lodge and to add a new chairlift on the east side of the mountain. Mount Bohemia, also in the U.P., plans a new backcountry area with the addition of fifteen new gladed runs. Crystal Mountain began construction of the Kinlochen Lodge, expected to be completed in the summer of 2002. The Lodge represents the first step of Crystal Mountain’s transition from a resort to a village complex.

Minnesota

Buck Hill Ski Area is completing an addition to the Bucket Restaurant. The mountain also created new ski school facilities and installed a wonder carpet learning lift. Lutsen Mountains Resort added another chairlift to service even more terrain. In addition, they are carving six to ten more runs and upgrading the base area. Steeplechase Ski Area expanded snowmaking and completed construction on triple chairlift Number One. The area opened its doors last season. Wild Mountain Ski Area added 50% more snowmaking, hoping to open their doors by Thanksgiving every year.

Missouri

Hidden Valley Ski Area purchased additional acreage, which will eventually lead to more ski runs and lifts. In the meantime, they are constructing a large new rental shop and doubling the capacity of the restaurant and day lodge.

Wisconsin

Bruce Mound Winter Sports has expanded its rental shop. Cascade Mountain Ski Area is automating the snowmaking on seven key runs. The new system will allow the area to make more snow than ever. In addition, they are increasing the size of Rob’s Roost Lodge. Christie Mountain is building a rental shop addition and expanding the rental equipment selection. A new “most difficult” gladed trail will also debut. Christmas Mountain Ski Area is relocating its rental operation and converting one lift to variable speed drive so the lift can slow upon guest request. Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park is adding two chairlifts and opening up a new section of the mountain with new trails and gladed runs. Some trails will be lighted. Sunburst Ski Area added another ski slope and widened the learning area.

Camp 10 Ski ‘n’ Snowboard Area, located between Tomahawk and Rhinelander, is scheduled to reopen in December after an 8-year shutdown for extensive remodeling and expansion. The area has added a double chair, rebuilt the existing T-bars, expanded the snowmaking, and increased the number of runs.

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