The Dairy State is known for its custard and cheese more than its snow. But if you know where to head in the winter, there are a few solid places to snowboard. It still might be cold, but at least you can get on your board and have fun.
I’ve been snowboarding for decades and like to travel in chase of fresh snow as often as possible. I’ve been to Wisconsin a handful of times over the years, and I know through first-hand experience where the top spots to ride are.
This post will highlight the best places to snowboard in Wisconsin. I’ll provide you with some essential information on each destination, such as what the spot is best known for and where you can find food and lodging nearby.
Let’s get after it.
Contents
1. Cascade Mountain
- Official Website: https://www.cascademountain.com/
- Opening Date: December 5 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Largest resort in Wisconsin, four terrain parks
Cascade Mountain is the top place to snowboard in Wisconsin for locals and visitors alike. This is the largest resort in the state, giving you a lot of terrains to explore when the snow starts falling during the winter months.
Cascade Mountain might not be a mountain by western standards, but once you take a ride up to the top, you get access to 47 different runs. There are many kinds of terrain to dive into and something for just about everyone to explore.
The terrain parks are also top-notch, and they are well designed and kept in good shape even if there hasn’t been much recent snowfall. If you want to improve your freestyle riding, Cascade Mountain is a great place to practice.
Conditions here can get a little iced out if the temperatures get really cold or there hasn’t been fresh snow. But that’s what you get in Wisconsin. If you want to find a place to stay the night or grab a bite, the nearby town of Wausau is a good option.
2. Devil’s Head
- Official Website: https://www.devilsheadresort.com/
- Opening Date: December 5 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 10 (Average)
- Best Known For: Good snowmaking, fast lift lines
Devil’s Head is another solid place to snowboard in Wisconsin. This is a top resort in the region for a reason, and its snowmaking capabilities keep good coverage on the ground until the sun comes out in spring and you can’t ride anymore.
The mountain has over 300 acres of rideable terrain, which might not seem like much but is actually a bit above average for Wisconsin. You also get a decent vertical drop of around 500 feet, so you can cruise and build up some speed.
This is another spot with excellent terrain parks. They can get a bit crowded on weekends and holidays, but they have all the features you’ll need to increase your abilities or push your skills to the next level.
Devil’s Head is located near the Wisconsin Dells, which is a popular tourist destination at all times of the year. It has all the lodging, dining, and other amenities you would imagine from such a well-known spot.
3. Wilmot Mountain
- Official Website: https://www.wilmotmountain.com/
- Opening Date: December 22 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 11 (Average)
- Best Known For: Close to Milwaukee and Chicago, family-friendly
Wilmot Mountain is the closest snowboard destination to the Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan areas. This makes it a good option for day trips during the winter if you live in one of those cities and want to get out and ride.
It’s also a super family-friendly destination, making for a solid weekend getaway with the entire crew. There are plenty of beginner runs to explore and some more challenging terrain for more experienced riders.
Wilmot has 11 lifts that give you access to the mountain, and the runs you can explore vary from groomers to a few steeper trails. It’s a fun and friendly atmosphere anytime you visit here, and when the snow conditions are good, it can be really solid.
Wilmot Mountain also has a bunch of good food options right off the slopes. If you want to keep hunger at bay while you ride hard or just satisfy a craving, there are many different choices. It can get crowded being so close to two major cities.
4. Granite Peak
- Official Website: https://www.skigranitepeak.com/
- Opening Date: November 20 (Average)
- Closing Date: April 10 (Average)
- Best Known For: Long season, excellent snowmaking
Granite peak is another one of Wisconsin’s best places to go snowboarding. It has a longstanding reputation for offering reliable snow conditions thanks to an excellent snowmaking system that supplements mother nature as much as possible.
This system covers nearly the entire mountain, so you can head to Granite Peak when there hasn’t been fresh snow and still get soft conditions. That’s quite a relief in the heart of grey, cold Wisconsin winters.
If you want to find a place to stay the night or grab a bite, the nearby town of Wausau is a good option. The resort also recently built an upgrade to their outdoor patio at the lodge, which includes new fire pits and wind deflectors.
5. Mt. La Crosse
- Official Website: https://mtlacrosse.com/
- Opening Date: December 20 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 12 (Average)
- Best Known For: Decent vertical drop, steep runs
If you are searching for a more technical experience, Mt. La Crosse offers some of the best vertical drop and steep runs in Wisconsin. Again, these won’t rival the steeps out west, but you can still get a good thrill without traveling far away.
The technical nature of this location means that it isn’t full of newbies, and you can expect the slopes to yourself on most weekdays during the season. That allows you to spin laps all day long and take advantage of the terrain as much as possible.
There aren’t many amenities near Mt. La Crosse, which is a definite downside. You’ll want to make sure to figure out a game plan for a place to stay if you are coming in from far away. It takes some time to get to, but don’t let that keep you away.
6. Trollhaugen
- Official Website: https://www.trollhaugen.com/
- Opening Date: November 15 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 18 (Average)
- Best Known For: Variety of terrain, good snowmaking capabilities
Trollhaugen is another smaller resort in Wisconsin that’s still worth exploring because of its excellent snowmaking coverage and diverse terrain. There are runs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders here, providing something for everyone.
There are over 90 acres of terrain to explore, and you can access it by the ten lifts the resort operates. It’s not huge, but it still gives you a good amount of area to take advantage of if you visit. The grooming and snowmaking keep the snow in good condition at all times as well.
Most of the lodging options you’ll find near Trollhaugen are in the St. Croix River Valley. This is right on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and there are also plenty of good dining options there. You can explore and find something for everyone.
Trollhaugen is a bit off the beaten path and not as easily accessible as the other places to snowboard in the state.
FAQs
Here are a few brief answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to the best places to snowboard in Wisconsin.
How long is snowboarding season in Wisconsin?
The snowboarding season in Wisconsin usually starts in late November and continues into mid to late April. Every season varies slightly, and the weather conditions and snowpack dictate how long the season will be in each location of the state.
How much is snowboarding in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is a pretty affordable snowboarding location. While you don’t get the amazing terrain and excellent snow like you do in the western US, you also aren’t going to pay several hundred dollars for a lift ticket. Prices for a day pass are typically $100 or less.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin can have some dreary conditions during winter, and often that doesn’t come with snow. But luckily, many of the resorts mentioned here do a great job with snowmaking to give you good snow conditions all season long.
Whether you are visiting Wisconsin for the first time or have lived here your entire life, the places mentioned in this post are solid for snowboarders of all kinds.
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