Reader Resort Survey 2005: Midwest No. 8 – Indianhead Mountain

Indianhead has long been an upper peninsula favorite. “A great overall hill year after year,” observes a reader. Blasted by 200 inches of Lake Superior white, the snow is “as good as any resort out West and tons of it,” according to another reader. Keystone-like long blues and blacks with steep headwalls are a cruiser’s delight, while a newly enlarged terrain park, complete with piped-in XM radio, keeps freestylers happy. For après ski, head to the new Sky Bar and deck overlooking the slopes.

The Latest

The beginner area has been tripled in size and a magic carpet has been added. A new 1300-foot beginner run, Running Bear, will open between Grizzly and Bear Trap. All the lodge complex units are being remodeled, complete with wireless high speed internet for those units and also in the main Lodge.

The Deal

Value Season has been extended to cover everything except the holidays, reducing the cost of overall lodging packages by 35 percent. Children 12-under ski free with an accompanying adult all winter, holidays included. Hill Hopper interchangeable pass covers skiing at Indianhead, Blackjack, and Big Powderhorn for $76 for two days, $108 for three, $140 for four. indianheadmtn.com; 800-3-INDIAN.

SNOW

9

GROOM

10

TERRAIN/VARIETY

10

TERRAIN/CHALLENGE

10

VALUE

9

LIFTS

16

SERVICE

9

WEATHER

4

ACCESS

19

ON-MOUNTAIN FOOD

17

LODGING

13

DINING

15

NIGHTLIFE/APRÉS

12

OFF-HILL/ACTIVITIES

6

FAMILY PROGRAMS

17

SCENERY

6

TERRAIN PARKS

19