Located 4 hours and 15 minutes from Chicago, Granite Peak operates within Rib Mountain State Park, a 1528 acre state park near Wausau. Granite Peak covers 400 acres within the park, has a 700 foot vertical drop and is the highest peak in the state of Wisconsin.
Granite Peak offers lessons and a variety of options for skiers of all skill levels, including beginners. There are designated areas for beginner and intermediate skiers, along with two additional high-speed lifts (Dasher and Cupid) in other parts of the mountain, ideal for more experienced skiers. The resort is expansive, featuring over 65 runs, 7 lifts, and 3 progressive terrain parks. From my experience across four visits, Granite Peak tends to attract more seasoned skiers who are keen on maximizing their skiing time. While the resort provides onsite dining, outdoor fire pits, a well-stocked ski shop, and a couple of bars, the primary focus at Granite Peak is on skiing rather than engaging in ski adjacent activities.
Granite Peak lacks onsite accommodations, but the town of Wausau is just a 10-minute drive away. This charming town of 40,000 residents is situated along the Wisconsin River. Wausau offers a variety of restaurants (such as Red Eye, Char Grillhouse, Lemongrass), hotels, and breweries (including Great Dane, Red Eye), along with numerous shops within walking distance of downtown. If you decide to stay in Wausau, consider a conveniently located hotel like Jefferson Street Inn.
Granite Peak is far superior to most ski resorts in the Midwest. They have 3 express lifts, which allow you to get up and down the mountain in a hurry. You can get a lot of runs in at Granite Peak! Additionally, the large geographic area of Granite Peak allows for extremely enjoyable skiing, which includes gliding from one side to the other of the wide runs and cutting through forested, tree-lined areas where you can weave from one run to another. The runs are long and wide for the Midwest, meaning there is more room to navigate the many blue, black and double black runs.
Given how much better the ski experience is at Granite Peak, it is certainly worth the extra driving time past Cascade and Devil's Head. Granite Peak offers the best overall ski experience in Wisconsin and reviews indicate it provides a similar ski experience to what you find in New England (e.g., New Hampshire or Vermont). You'll need to travel to the Upper and Lower peninsula of Michigan to get a similar or better ski experience in the Midwest.
Granite Peak may lack the extra features found at resorts like Boyne or Crystal Mountain, but it offers an excellent slope experience without being too crowded. It provides ample space, has one of the top lift systems in the Midwest, and is a highly efficient place to ski. You can basically park your car, walk up, and begin skiing.
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