OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Underrated & Overlooked

While the Rocky Mountain region garners most of the attention, the Midwest and East Coast also have plenty of skiable areas you don’t want to miss.

BY DIANE BAIR AND PAMELA WRIGHT

WISP RESORT
MCHENRY, MD (121 miles from Pittsburgh)
www.wispresort.com
This busy resort offers pretty views of deep Creek Lake and the Allegheny Mountains. The vibe is energetic, and the resort chock-full of families. There’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile tours and a slew of special events. But the montain, with a 3,115-foot summit and 32 trails, is the major draw. Thanks to technology - Wisp has one of the most powerful, energy-efficient snow-making systems in the world - there’s surprisingly good snow cover. The North Camp area, with 10 trails and two lifts, is the go-to spot for families and beginners. For a bigger challenge, point the boards down the fast-moving Face and Squirrel Cage black diamond trails, and then head to the spa for a steam bath and massage.

SNOW CREEK
WESTON, MO (32 miles from kansas City)
www.skisnowcreek.com
Whoever said there’s no skiing in the heartland didn’t know what they were talking about. Cutting-edge snow-making machines (capable of dumping up to 12 inches in 24 hours) blanket 100% of the slopes at this beginner-friendly resort. Most of the 12 trails-spread over 20 ski-able acres - are short and sweet, perfect for families, first-timers and anyone looking to tune-up for the season. Boarfers cluster in the popular Rattlesnake Park to ride the trails and jump the bumps, and young and old alike get heart-puping thrills careening down Tornado Alley in a giant snow tube, There’s a vafeteria and lounge in the lodge, or you can warm up by the bonfire in front of the lodge’s patio.

HIDDEN VALLEY WILDWOOD, MO
(34 miles from St. Louis)
www.hiddenvalleyski.com
What this cozy resort lacks in altitude, it makes up for in attitude. The bend-over-backwards friendly resort is nestled at the edge of the Ozarks. The twisty road leading to the bare-bones lodge is tougher to navigate than most of the trails, but you’ll get a workout and a bargain; $39 Saturday lift tickets are good from 9am until 10pm. The slopes are open until 3am on select nights throughout the season. Beginner runs and wide cruisers snake down the front of the hill; off to the side are a couple of more advanced trails, including the quick-moving Ice Man’s Ridge. There are 13 trails across more than 30 skiable acres.

PERFECT NORTH SLOPES LAWRENCEBURG, IN
(103 miles from Indianapolis)
www.perfectnorth.com
For a Midwest small fry, this resort offers surprising variety. Hot shots show off on the double black diamond Showtime trail and ease off on long, speedy groomers, like Encore or The Far Side. There’s even a couple of fun tree runs. The former farm (supposedly owned by a man named Mr. Perfect) has 22 trails and two terrain parks, serviced by five lift s and seven surface tows. Your best bet is to go on a weekday (weekends get crowded) for no-wait skiing; when your energy wanes, refuel at the Snack Shack burrito bar.

CABERFAE PEAKS CADILLAC, MI
(143 miles from Flint, MI)
www.caberfaepeaks.com
Take a step back in time at the nation’s third ski resort. The “Fae,” proud of its no-frills atmosphere, also happens to boast Michigan’s highest lift -served peaks and some of the biggest vertical drops in the Midwest. Stand at the top of North Peak, with views of Manistee National Forest and Lake Michigan beyond, and you’ll feel like you’re in the Great North Woods. The resort sports 34 trails, crisscrossing 200 acres, with enough variety to satisfy all skill levels. There’s a top-to-bottom green trail, where novices get loft y views, while advanced skiers get their hearts pumping on the steep black diamond trails that spill down South Peak.

WILD MOUNTAIN TAYLORS FALLS, MN
(49 miles from St. Paul/Minneapolis)
www.wildmountain.com
Nestled in the picturesque St. Croix River Valley, this family-owned resort is known for its pretty views, varied terrain and relaxed atmosphere. Wild is usually the first resort to open in the Midwest (in 1991, it was the first to open in the country). There are 25 trails that crisscross the North and South mountain faces. Th e Northern Route, a favorite with beginners, meanders through the woods for nearly a mile. Intermediate runs are scratched by snowcats to an even, corduroy finish. But you’ll find a good share of thigh-burning, bumpy steeps, too, like the mogul-strewn Wall that plunges down the North face. Keep an eye out for deer and bald eagles.

TIMBERLINE FOUR SEASONS RESORT DAVIS, WV
(159 miles from Pittsburgh)
www.timberlineresort.com
Averaging 200 inches of snowfall per season and home to the Salamander—the longest ski trail in the South—it is no wonder this 1,000-foot-high mountain attracts major skiers and snowboarders from the Mid Atlantic—especially those looking to hit the slopes well into spring. (Last year, Timberline was the last ski resort in the East to close, in April.) Th is year welcomes the first series of slopeside hotels, so you can hop out of bed ready to hit 37 slopes and trails, and two terrain parks.

The Smallest Ski Resort in America
Unofficially, the three-trail Powderhouse Hill (www.powderhousehill.com) in South Berwick, ME (45 miles from Portland), is the smallest ski area in the US. It’s also one of the oldest. The rope tow was put in around 1939 and powered by a motor engine—possibly from a 1938 Ford Model A. (This car’s drive wheel still spins the rope.) The town-owned hill is operated by volunteers; even local kids work the tiny snack bar. Lift tickets are $5, cash only.