Ah yes, the college ski trip.  It’s like spring break, only substitute beaches and swim trunks for frozen slopes and ski goggles.  And what’s even better is that you don’t have to travel to Colorado or California to conquer a king-size run.  The Midwest offers plenty of skiing options that are easily accessible and won’t burn a hole in your pocket. 

Here are some Midwest ski destinations that are worthy of a proper ski weekend.
 

Devil’s Head Resort (Merrimac, WI)  

Distance from:   

Madison- 45 Minutes

Milwaukee- 1.5 Hours

Chicago- 3 Hours 

Vertical Rise: 500 Feet

Number of Runs:

28 runs plus a terrain park

Lift Ticket Rates:

$40 weekday

$45 weekend

$ 18 rope tow pass   
 

Devil’s Head is one of the premier ski and snowboard areas of the Midwest for a couple of reasons. One, it’s easy to get to from major cities, and two, it offers an array of runs that vary from expert to beginner, which is rare for a Midwest ski area.  And another cool thing about Devil’s Head is that there are three quad lifts, six double chair lifts and one triple lift spread around the mountain, so you won’t have to wait in a lift line for long periods of time while waiting to get to the top.  Devil’s Head also offers lodging accommodations at the base of the mountain, so you won’t have to go far to rest your ski booted feet after a hard day of shredding.   
 

All and all, this place has your weekend getaway covered.  Click here for more info on Devil's Head.

Lutsen Mountains  (Lutsen, MN)

Distance from:

Minneapolis- 4 Hours 

Vertical Rise: 1,088 Feet

Number of Runs: 90

Lift Ticket Rates:

$54 1 day pass

$54 2 day pass

$81 3 day pass 

Combine 1,088 vertical feet with over 1,000 acres of ski-able terrain, and you have yourself a serious skiing destination.  Then throw in an annual snowfall of almost ten feet, and you have a Midwest mountain that stands alone. Snowboarders will come down with a case of drop jaw when scoping the massive terrain park, and serious soul skiers can get in touch with their nasty side while carving the over 50% of Lutsen Mountains that is designated as Most Difficult to Expert. But that’s only half of the appeal.  

Off the mountain, there are several festivals that make this destination a must visit. The Jib and Jam, a festival dedicated to ripping rails and jamming to good hip hop, kicks off December, followed by New Year’s Eve, College Week, Mardi Gras and Carnivale.  

The Eagle Ridge Lodge, which is just off of the mountain, offers a variety of rooms that are perfect for a big group of weekend ski warriors, including options for a suite with an in-room Jacuzzi.  Pretty sweet.  Click here for more info on Lutsen.
 

Boyne Highlands ( Harbor Springs, MI) 

Distance from:         

Ann Arbor- 4 Hours

East Lansing- 3.5 Hours

Kalamazoo- 4 Hours 

Vertical Rise: 552 Feet

Number of Runs: 54

Lift Ticket Rates:

$49 1 day pass  

Boyne Highlands is another resort that proves you don’t need to go to the Rockies to have a great time skiing. The Highlands feature 8 lifts that service 430 acres of ski terrain. Like any other respectable destination, Boyne Highlands boasts a terrain park with a five- hundred foot long thirteen foot high half pipe and a plethora of king- size jumps fit for Shaun White.  The 140 inches of annual snowfall is guaranteed to keep the entire mountain full of knar knar freshies.   

Worried about where to stay at Boyne Highlands? Don’t; there are over 24 different hotels within the immediate area. Some are swanky and some are for the minimalist. You decide which is the right choice for you. Click here for more information on Boyne Highlands.
 

Indianhead Mountain  (Wakefield, MI) 

Distance from:     

Chicago – 7 Hours       

Milwaukee- 5 Hours

Minneapolis- 4.5 Hours

Madison – 4 Hours 

Vertical Rise:  638 Feet

Number of Runs: 29

Lift Ticket Rates: 

$46 1 day pass

$87 2 day pass 

Situated on the border of the upper- peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin, Indianhead is a great mountain for two reasons: one, it gets a whopping seventeen feet of snowfall per year and two, its location is in close proximity to Hurley, WI,  a town that is home to 30+ bars.  

On the slopes there are 9 lifts to get you to the 29 available runs and two mega sized terrain parks.  And off the slope there are several on location pubs and restaurants where you can wet your whistle or fill you tummy in style.  Then you can go as wild as you want during the night in nearby Hurley, which was an Al Capone stronghold in the days of prohibition.Click here for more info on Indianhead.