If you are visiting the midwest or are from there and want to have some winter fun, I suggest checking out Cascade Mountain. As there aren’t many mountains in the midwest, Cascade gives you a chance to test your athletic ability on the slopes. Cascade Mountain is located in Portage, Wisconsin right near the Wisconsin Dells. The mountain has 44 trials, 4 terrain parks, and a snow tubing chute.
Where to Stay:
For a list of recommended accomodations by Cascade Mountain, click here. There are a few hotels located close to the mountain or you can stay in the Wisconsin Dells where there are tons of hotels and lots of fun things to do. If you only want to ski/snowboard, I would recommend the hotels close to the mountain, but if you are doing an extended trip and want to experience more, I would recommend staying in the Dells as there are a wide variety of exciting activities to do.
Hours:
Monday- Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday and Saturday: 9am-10pm
Sundays: 9am – 9pm
Lift Tickets:
Click here to see the prices for lift tickets. You can get single-day or multi-day tickets. There are also different types of seasonal passes you can purchase too. I found their pricing to be very reasonable and affordable considering I had to also rent gear.
Gear Rental:
If you need to rent equipment (like I did), I would suggest arriving right when the mountain opens or soon after to beat the rush. Their system is quick and efficient in my opinion. After you get your lift ticket, you head to the rental house and fill out a form. You then pick out your ski or snowboard boots and put them on. After that you get in line for either skis or a snowboard and an employee will help size you for the correct gear. If you have questions I recommend asking any one of the staff members, every employee I encountered was very helpful. Once you get your gear you are all set to hit the slopes!
Cascade Mountain has runs for all ages and experience levels. The mountain also has lessons you can sign up for or you can take the “trial and error” route as I did. Taking lessons may leave you with less bruises than I ended up with. I started on the “bunny” hill and worked my way up. They have green, blue, and black runs depending on how experienced or daring you are. Cascade Mountain has a good system for keeping the lines moving as I didn’t have to wait long for a chairlift.
If you’re tired and need a break, Cascade Mountain has two lodges where you can relax, drink, and eat. The main lodge is at the base of the mountain while the other one is on the mountain and you can literally ski/board right in to the lodge. This mountain is fun for all ages and is a great weekend getaway!
