Update 12/3/19: We just got 3 feet of snow in one week and I want to play! I've been browsing all the resort/hill websites today to contemplate the best getaway and I want to put this here as a PSA to everyone with 4th-graders this year (and a reminder to myself for when I have one!) : https://www.spiritmt.com/index.php?slug=fourth-graders-ski-free https://www.skiandboardmn.com/member-program-offerings-20192020-season The rest of the info below is a little dated and I don't feel like updating, but I still think a good place to start when ski dreaming... Anyone know what's up with WhiteCap these days? Are they open yet? At all? Do they have a Magic Carpet? I didn’t really get into skiing when I was a kid. I didn’t learn when I was little (like a lot of my friends did) and then was always just more comfortable reading a book, or playing cards in the chalet. But returning here, it’s become one of the things I look forward to most in the winter. The first winter I was home, Jen brought me a pair of used xc-ski boots and skiis, and there hasn’t been a winter since that I don’t enjoy getting out on the xc-ski trails. There are several options for xc-skiiing up here. Listed in order of my faves: Mt Valhalla Recreation Area has trails and parking lots on either side of County Road C, 8.5 miles north of Washburn. I really love the B-loops of both the Teuton and Valkyrie trails. Fun rolling hills, but nothing too hard or scary. The A-loops are great for learning on too. There is a parking fee (maybe $5) or you can get a season sticker at the Forest Service office or Leino’s Gas Station in Washburn for around $20. Mt Ashwabay has a great system of groomed trails for all abilities and hosts a fun women’s XC-ski group on Wednesday nights with free rentals. The Jerry Jolly Trail has one downhill that is scary, and grooming can be a little less consistent, but otherwise is a beautiful trail, especially along the creek. Dogs are welcome on the first stretch. And it’s fun to ski over to the Ashwabay chalet for a drink. I also really love when Jen and I stop and try a new trail when we're drivng home from visiting friends or family south of us or in the U.P. There are so many to check out! photo by Kaite, Wednesday sunset ride at Mt. Ashwabay Honestly, I've never gotten into downhill skiiing, but in recent years I've started snowboarding, and love it! Jen has started tele-skiing and together we have been taking advantage of the exchange program included with our Ashwabay Season passes, offering one free pass to each of the following ski areas.
***Please confirm hours by checking the website or calling! I wanted to collect this info, so I'd have a go to spot when deciding where to ride next, but I also know that with this type of business especially, hours can change!*** Big Powderhorn in Bessemer, MI OPEN 9am-4pm daily A great hill for beginners, with long gradual runs and little rollers. This is where it really clicked for me and I love to come back. Mt Zion in Ironwood, MI OPEN Tues/Wed/Thurs 2-6pm & Fri 2-9pm through Feb. 26 Friday 4-9pm; Sat 9am-4pm; Sun 12-4pm through end of season We went here in 2018 and it was super fun. Similar size as Ashwabay, but with tubing, a fast lift, and fun run at the top of the hill with lots of little tangents through the trees and homemade jumps. I highly recommend checking it out. Mont Du Lac just west of Superior, WI OPEN Tues-Thurs 4pm-8pm, Friday: 4pm-9pm Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 10am-6pm A similar feel to Ashwabay, but with less lake affect snow, more night skiiing, and more active bar scene. We went on a Thursday night for "Tunes and Turns" and had a great time despite the icey snow conditions. Mt Ripley in Hancock, MI OPEN Mon-Thurs 3-9pm. Friday 1-9pm Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-5pm (shorter hours in March) Another smallish hill, with just three lifts, but it has a few really fun glade runs to cruise through and the main chair lift offers great views of the tricky college kids in the terrain park. The slopes face the west, so on the afternoon when we went it was sunny and the snow was kind of soft (but still fun). We've heard though the mornings after a sunny day can be pretty icy. Porcupine Mtns Ski Area in Ontonagon, MI OPEN Friday Saturday Sunday and Monday 9am-5pm for downhill A small hill with one three-person chair lift and a tow-rope across the top of the mountain, and yet a variety of fun runs, GREAT powder, and the BEST views of the lake. After a few runs we packed a little back-pack with our sandwiches and a couple beers and had a picnic lunch on the top of the mountain. Great for xc-skiiing too! Some year I want to go to the Porkies for a week or long weekend. You can rent the Lodge in the park which has modern facilities and sleeps up to twelve for $190/night (call (906) 885-5275 x 0 to reserve). There is a four-night minimum to book, and I could stay there the whole time and coordinate the trip. Others could come for 1-4 nights. Maybe each night we divide the $190 by however many people are there to determine how much everyone pays. Who's in? :) Also part of the Ashwabay Season Pass exchange program: Chester Bowl in Duluth, MN OPEN Mon/Thurs/Fri 4:30-8:30pm; Sat&Sun 11am-4:30pm and Marquette Mountain in Marquette, MI OPEN Mon/Tues 11am-5pm; Wed-Fri 11am-8:30pm; Saturday 10am-8:30pm; Sunday 10am-5pm March 20th thru April 12th – call ahead as times change due to conditions. We have yet to check these two out, mostly because we have enjoyed going to some of the bigger hills nearby that aren't part of the exchange program, but offer a local rate Sunday through Thursdays (which is when Jen and I have been more available to get away for a ski day). WhiteCap south of Saxon, WI OPEN 9am-4pm daily maybe call ahead to be sure (715) 561-2227 I couldn't find the local rate listed on the website, but it was half price when we went last year, so $22.50 for a full day adult lift ticket or $19 for a half day. This place is really... retro? But super fun, has a cute little ski-in wine hut, and we've been told is cool with people bringing in their own food and drinks too. Indianhead just east of Ironwood OPEN Daily 9am-4pm and Blackjack OPEN Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 9am-4pm Local Rate is $30/day, kids 9&under are FREE with an Adult lift ticket The closest big hill, but I'd rather not give them my money until they change their name/imagery Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN OPEN Mon-Fri 10am-8pm; Sat 9am-8pm; Sun 9am-6pm They don't offer a local rate that I know of, but it seems if you buy ahead online, you can get a pretty good deal mid-week. I just looked it up for next Tuesday and was quoted $25 for an adult lift ticket. Giants Ridge almost to Ely, MN OPEN Mon-Thurs 9:30am-4:30pm, Fri-Sun 9am-8pm Didn't see a local deal. Only $18 from 4-8pm. Lutsen Mountains south of Grand Marais, MN OPEN Mon-Fri 9:30AM-4:00PM, Sat/Sun 9am-4pm From their website: "There are many nice ski hills in the Midwest, but only one true mountain resort. By any measure – vertical rise, variety of terrain, resort facility, value – there is no comparison." Of course this also means lift tickets are $82/day. Because of the distance to get there, and lack of a local discount, it seems the Getaway Package would be the best way to go-- two days skiing and two nights lodging for under $300 a couple. They also offer $39 lift tickets if their season extends past April 8. Mount Bohemia north of Houghton, MI OPEN Mon-Fri 10:30am-4:30pm, Sat&Sun 9:30am-5pm (some nights later) This place has a lot of hype and likely the best snow conditions. Lift tickets are $62 "any day, any age, any time" or you can buy a 10-year season pass for $599
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AuthorsMagdalen Dale and Kaite Sweval grew up a layer apart, overlapping and paralleling. Belonging to the shores of Lake Superior and yet not quite belonging. Laughing and dreaming on the bench outside the ferry booth as Mag passed the time and Kaite chose her time. Left to explore as soon as they could. And then as adults returned home, perhaps to their surprise. But glad to have each other... ‘cause we know there is strength in the differences between us and comfort where we overlap. Archives
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