We had a great time Sunday at Sunburst racing with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Ski Council. What a great organization. The group makes ski racing fun and as competitive as you want it to be. There are seven different classes of varying talents. Attendees or guests or those who show up run 4 races. Two are slalom, where the gates are spaced closely and two are Giant Slalom where the gates are farther apart. No one got hurt, everyone seemed to have fun and the weather was ideal. No wind, fast snow and no lines. About 50 racers carved turns down the courses. Many volunteers chip in to make it work. Check out their website at skimilwaukee.org and get involved. The group offers reduced lift tickets and many other benefits. Afterwards prizes were awarded, some resembling pint glasses with the MMSC logo. Like I said the group likes to have fun. The group races at different venues like Alpine Valley, Holy Hill, Sunburst and Crystal Ridge.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Big Snow Country
Indianhead reports 18 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours. That's exciting. Blackjack, also in the UP, is under new management and re-opened this year after a one year sabbatical. Go skiing. You won't regret it. Big Powderhorn is open also. Mount Bohemia, on the edge of nowhere on the tip of the Keenwanau peninsula, practically in the middle of Lake Superior, the mightiest of the Great Lakes hopes to open December 18th.
A Bit of A Warm Up
Saturday afternoon and Sunday we saw the mercury rising. Some stressed trees weighted down by heavy wet snow from Wednesday's storm bounced back. Hard pack snow became mush like as clouds moved in, the humidity rose and temps moderated. Shoppers enjoyed the mild weather as an opportunity to navigate the stores.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Blizzard Arrives
A low pressure system moved in Tuesday bringing moisture and snow to the area. Predictions range from 5 inches near Lake Michigan to more than a foot North and West before it is finished. Winds will increase Tuesday night and tempatures will drop Wednesday afternoon. So far it has been a heavy wet snow within 35 miles of Lake Michigan.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Alpine Valley Is Open
Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wi. is open for the season. A nice feature of Alpine is the two high speed quad lifts that allow you to take plently of laps down the consistent pitch. Alpine Valley is a complete resort with lodging, restaurants, golf and in summer an outdoor music theatre in the natural bowl. Wilmot Mountain also opened Monday.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Cascade Opens
Cascade Mountain opened Saturday with good conditions considering there has not been much of a measurable snowfall this season. The high speed quad and a double chair ferried skiers to the top. Hours are 9am-430pm Saturday and Sunday. Cascade will also be open Tuesday and Thursday this week with regular hours resuming next weekend. The noise of snow makers rumbled as skiers and riders carved turns down the North Wall. Ski Patrol assisted many injured skiers and riders on opening day. Later in the day Manitou a large wide run opened.
Even the parking lot had snow perhaps a result of high winds Friday. Snow piles were at least five feet high in some spots. Cascade has nearly 500 snow guns.
The weather forecast looks like some storms are on their way. There is a 70% chance of 2 inches Monday and a bigger storm set to arrive Wednesday.
We reported Devils Head opened in a previous post. We stand corrected. They will open Thursday.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Area Ski Resorts Open
Cascade Mountain and Devils Head are open. Sunburst opens Saturday and Alpinie Valley opens Sunday. Granite Peak in Wausau opens Saturday. Temps have dropped into the 20s making perfect conditions for blowing snow. Wednesday night we saw a few storms dumps bits of the white stuff.
What else opened locally? Let us know.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Devils Head To Open Friday December 4th
According to the website, www.devilsheadresort.com, Devils Head will open Friday, December 4th. It is a bit unusual that due to unseasonably warm temperatures, Sunburst, usually one of the first to open in the Milwaukee area, is not open. Cascade may be open Saturday December 5th but many local ski areas are not committing to a specific date at this time. Tyrol Basin, southwest of Madison, is open in Wisconsin. Hiking only, no lifts. Also TrollHaugen in Dresser Wi., is open.
Granite Peak, in Wausau is planning a December 5th opener.
No word on Wilmot, Alpine Valley or other nearby spots.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Ski Season Opens
The Midwest ski season is open. Ski Brule in Iron Mountain, Michigan traditionally holds Professional Ski Association and Ski Patrol events this weekend, even if the weather is in the 50s and they were able to make snow. That seems to be the case. Check out their web site and see whar snow looks like. Ski Brule, http://www.skibrule.com opened Friday November 20th.
Man hikes into trouble at A-Basin | SummitDaily.com
http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20091121/NEWS/911209980/1078&ParentProfile=1055
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Ski Season Opens
It's official. The 2009-2010 ski season is now open. A-Basin in Colorado opened 10/09/09.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Warren Miller Movie
The new Warren Miller ski movie will be showing Thursday night at the Pabst Theatre, October 22nd at 8PM.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Teton Gravity Research Movie
The new Teton Gravity Research movie makes a stop in Milwaukee Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Todd Wehr Theatre. Get ready for the season. Advance tickets are only $5.
The Movie is called Re:Session. Check out tetongravity.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Ski Areas Open
Most of the Colorado ski areas are open till Easter. Locally about everything is closed however if you can talk yourself into driving as far north as you can until your hat floats Mount Bohemia in the Upper part of the Upper Peninsula is slated to be open this weekend, according to their web site.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Powder Day
Colorado is getting pounded with snow and has for the last four days. We were there for an extended trip and enjoyed bluebird days, sunny skies and a final powder day. It had been a dry March in many areas so the new storms were welcome. Don't you hate those calls from people who are on their way out or just got back bragging about the superb conditions. It is kind of like seeing tanned people smugly bragging about where they just were on Spring Break.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Ski Granite Peak
Granite Peak in Wausau is open. You still can ski. Go for it.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Cascade Mountain Is Open
Cascade Mountain and Devils Head are open. Enjoy some Spring skiing. Next weekend Tyrol basin re-opens for their anniversary celebration. Granite Peak in Wausau is open as are many in the Upper Peninsula. Mount Bohemia reports 259 inches year to date.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Local Ski Report Update
Alpine Valley Resort in East Troy, Wisconsin and Wilmot near Kenosha will re-open Friday for some great weekend skiing. Sunburst in Kewaskum, north of Milwaukee is closed for the year, according to their web site. Cascasde Mountain and Devils Head Resort north of Madison are open. Tyrol Basin west of Madison is open. Indianhead in the Upper Peninsula reports 5 inches of fresh new snow and 183 inches year to date.
Further north Mount Bohemia reports 7 inches new and over 250 inches this year.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Flash Flood Watch
A flash flood watch does not make for good skiing conditions. Milwaukee and Waukesha counties and many others are currently soggy. However it is 28 degrees and snowing at Granite Peak, about 2.5 hours north. Further north Indianhead has received 8 inches of snow the past seven days and has 178 inches year to date.
Mount Bohemia has 251 inches year to date and more snow is on the way.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Lake Effect
A lake effect snow squall hammered the airport yesterday dumping more than 14 inches. In some neighborhoods 5 miles away there was no snow and sunny skies. It was a record snowfall at the airport for March 2nd. Big, billowy cumulus clouds hung over the lakefront for 3 days as a nor'eastaer collided with northwest winds and dropped a narrow band of snow along the lake shore from Fox Point to Racine.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Ski This Weekend
OK we had an ice storm but there is still plenty of opportunity to ski locally. Sunburst, north of Milwaukee, Wilmot, south of Milwaukee or Alpine Valley, west of Milwaukee are all good choices this weekend. They are all open. Drive a bit farther and you can ski at Tyrol Basin, west of Madison or Cacscade or Devils Head north of Madison. Or you can go to the gym and work out inside.
Get some fresh air! Go skiing! You'll love it!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ausblick
We had the opportunity to ski another Milwaukee area ski club for the first time, Ausblick, "The Midwest's Finest Membership Ski Club since 1973." A storm had rolled in dumping about 5 inches of new snow along with strong northwest winds. We had an adaptive ski event and had numerous lift loads on their triple chair lift with a student in a Mountain Man Sit Ski. (http://www.abledata.com)
A spacious modern chalet provides plenty of room for members and guests. They do have a tree run which is a nice feature.
Marquette University had purchased the hill for $5000 in 1950, according to the web site. Ausblick is known for a superb race team, fine snowmaking and grooming and the advantages of limited lift lines since membership is limited.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Winter Storm Watch
The National Weather has predicted a winter storm warning bringing 5-8 inches of dry powdery snow to the area starting late tonight and continuing till Saturday night. Go skiing! The largest amounts will be to the south and along Lake Michigan.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Ski News
We had the opportunity to ski Chestnut Mountain near Galena, Illinois along the bluffs of the Mississippi River and Holy Hill ski areas recently. Both offer a special experience for any skier or rider. Chestnut has a chalet and lodging at the top which is also where you park so your first move is to ski down rather than ride up.
Holy Hill, across the road from the famed shrine, is a private club known as Heiliger Huegel and offers a chalet complete with indoor and out door fireplace at mid-hill. The club was founded in 1935. It was snowing for our night skiing at HH so we had a "powder night.". Both areas offer beautiful views and excellant local skiing.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ski Update
Well, we skied in the rain Monday night at Alpine Valley or more accurately we raced in the rain, two runs, on a giant slalom course, 10 of us or so, maybe more, it was hard to see, 40 didn't show, or so, hard to tell, but it was fun, we will move up in the standings because we don't care about weather, or whether we show up.
Local ski report: Sunburst closed today due to rain etc., Wilmot open, Alpine Valley closed, Cascade open. The cold will return Wednesday and February will return as well. Call your favorite resort/hill/mountain before heading out. Granite Peak reports all 72 runs open. 41 degrees at the moment. By the way I think I heard Milwaukee hit a record today of 59 degrees at the airport.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Chestnut Mountain
We had a ski training event at Chestnut Mountain near historic Galena, Illinois and if you are looking for a weekend get away you may want to consider this location. We saw an historic hotel where President Lincoln stayed and also the home of General Ulysses Grant. The majestic Mississippi provides a scenic backdrop. We saw plenty of deer and a bald eagle.
One run called "Warpath" has a vertical drop that many skiers may find challenging.
http://www.chestnutmtn.com
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Boy Injured At Olympia
A 10-year old snowboarder fell from a chairlift at the Highlands of Olympia ski hill yesterday and was taken away by Flight For Life, according to published reports. Olympia which has two double chairlifts closed after the accident. The resort is a great training ground for locals and has enjoyed two consecutive snowy winters.
Snow Totals
Mount Bohemia in the Upper Peninsula reports 231 inches of snow year to date. Wow! Keystone Resort in Colorado reports just over 118 inches mid-mountain. Milwaukee reports 48.5 year to date. Grand Targhee where we skied last week reports 301 inches and Jackson Hole reports 300.
This weekend will bring a warm-up around here and some spring-like conditions on a big base. Enjoy
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Grand Targhee Scenes-Alta Wyoming
We skied Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole and these are some of the photos. Targhee is know for powder and Jackson is known for steeps.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
183 Inches
Mount Bohemia in the U.P. reports a fresh foot of snow and 183 inches year to date. Now thats exciting.
Old Man Race League
We had an "old man" race league (Senior League) last night at Alpine Valley Resort in East Troy. More than 50 racers did two runs down a Giant Slalom course similar to a NASTAR course. Fastest time was 27.09 and the slowest was 42.96 so there was a good mix of talent. Yours truly clocked in at 30.30. Snow showers fell throughout the evening.
A few snowboarders also ran the course. The season fee is just $45 and runs through March on Monday nights. They even have awards at the end of the year. Contact the ski school at Alpine for details.
Monday, January 19, 2009
POWDER DAY
It was another Powder Day in the Baraboo Hills at Cascade Mountain Sunday. Locals claim there is a micro climate in the Wisconsin River Valley and Baraboo Hills area. Skiers and Riders enjoyed near perfect conditions. Come on out and catch the fever.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Snowy Saturday
The deep feeze ended and the snow started which combined to create great conditions for skiers as temps rose to the 20s. A dry powdery snow fell most of the day. At Cascade Mountain the crowds arrived and more than 500 people took ski or snowboard lessons. http://www.cascademountain.com
Monday, January 12, 2009
More Snow Is On The Way
About 3-5 inches of snow should hit the Greater Milwaukee area after 7PM tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Another batch should roll in Wednesday dumping another few inches. Winds will pick up and temperatures will fall afterwards.
Go Skiing.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Ski Bum?
Did you hear about the skier at Vail who was hanging upside down off a chairlift with his bum exposed? Apparently there was no shortage of people with cell phone cameras to record his embarrassing moment forever in cyberspace. Check You Tube and you will surely find it.
On a more somber note a snowboarder was killed at Granite Peak in Wausau when he fell chest first on an icy surface, according to published reports.
Be careful out there.
How To Tune A Ski
Here are some helpful tuning tips.
http://wikihow.com/Tune-A-Ski
Friday, January 9, 2009
Another Winter Storm
Another winter storm hit the area and this one could leave up to 9 inches before the snow settles Friday or Saturday. Enjoy your weekend.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
We Are Accepting Donations
We always accept donations from anyone wanting to finance a ski trip. Call or email and we will let you know where to deposit the money so we can go skiing.