Cascade Mountain
47 runs, 175 acres near Madison, Wisconsin. Eleven lifts, night skiing, Walz family-owned since 1977.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
14 Mar 2027
Days open
106
Annual snow
50in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Cascade Mountain's summit reaches 1,280 feet, dropping roughly 460 vertical feet to a base at 820 feet across 47 runs spread over 175 acres near Portage, Wisconsin. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 38 per cent beginner, 21 per cent advanced and 1 per cent expert. Average annual snowfall is low at roughly 50 inches, meaning the resort depends heavily on snowmaking. Cascade Mountain carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation and remains independently, family-owned.
Eleven lifts, including four quads, two doubles, two triples and three surface lifts, serve the 47-run network, a dense lift count for a Wisconsin hill of this size. Night skiing runs alongside daytime operations, popular with visitors from the Madison area roughly 30 minutes away. A 2016 expansion added eight trails and two chairlifts, growing skiable terrain by roughly 30 per cent. The resort's beginner and intermediate-heavy terrain suits families and learning skiers.
Local developer Dewey Belton opened Cascade Mountain on 13 January 1962 as part of a planned recreational community near Portage. Financial difficulties in 1974 saw control pass briefly to North Carolina National Bank, which oversaw operations into the early 1980s. Phil and Adele Walz bought the ski operation in 1977, beginning continuous family ownership that passed to their children Rob and Vicky Walz in 2006, with a third generation now involved in daily operations. The Walz family's 2016 expansion added eight trails and two chairlifts, growing the resort's terrain by around 30 per cent to its current scale.
With no major pass affiliation, Cascade Mountain sells its own day tickets and season passes directly. Adult full-day tickets range from 65 to 99 US dollars depending on date, with night skiing available separately and a Platinum Season Pass at 599 dollars. The resort suits Madison-area families seeking accessible, learning-focused skiing roughly 30 minutes from the city. Its continuous Walz family ownership since 1977, now spanning three generations, sets it apart from larger corporate Midwest competitors.
459ft
Vertical
47
Runs
175 acres
Skiable
50in
Annual snow
The Terrain
47 runs across 175 acres skiable
Cascade Mountain is a compact hill outside Portage in south-central Wisconsin, with 47 runs across about 175 acres (71 hectares). The base is 820 ft (250 m) and the summit 1,280 ft (390 m), a vertical drop of 460 ft (140 m). Terrain splits 38% beginner, 40% intermediate, 21% advanced and 1% expert, so most of it is gentle to moderate. Two double chairs, four quads, two triples and three surface lifts cover the slopes, which is plenty of lift capacity for the size and keeps lines moving on busy weekends. It is a small hill by national standards, and works best as a day trip for Madison and Milwaukee skiers.
The longest run is Far Out, a beginner cruiser that makes a good warm-up for new skiers. Cottontail is the beginner terrain park, while the J.J. Park caters to experienced riders, and Cascade runs several parks with rails, jumps and jibs. Most of the steeper skiing is short but fun, and snowmaking keeps the hill open through the season. Cascade suits families, learners, park skiers and anyone wanting a quick session close to home. Skiers wanting long steeps will find the hill small, but the variety of lifts and parks gives it more character than its numbers suggest.
Terrain split
47
runs
47 runs across 4 grades
Beginner18 runs · 38%
Intermediate19 runs · 40%
Advanced10 runs · 21%
Expert0 runs · 1%
Time it right
When to visit Cascade Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Cascade Mountain ran from 6 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week window supported substantially by snowmaking. The resort's low natural snowfall means season length depends heavily on temperatures suitable for artificial snow production. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season weather. This is a comparatively long season given Cascade Mountain's modest natural snowfall totals.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 50 inches is low even by Midwest standards, meaning Cascade Mountain depends on snowmaking for nearly all of its season-long conditions rather than natural accumulation. This makes temperature, far more than storm cycles, the key variable in the resort's operating reliability. Base depth is maintained almost entirely through machine-made snow. Specific snowmaking coverage percentage is not confirmed in available resort information, though it is understood to be extensive given the low natural totals.
Midwinter, from late December through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions once snowmaking has built a consistent base. Night skiing sessions extend the useful hours of each day, particularly popular with Madison-area commuters. Weekend crowds are heavier than weekdays, given the resort's role serving day-trip visitors from Madison and surrounding communities. Late-season visits into April can be inconsistent as temperatures warm and snowmaking becomes less viable.
Cascade Mountain's calendar centres on family and learning-focused programming rather than festival events, consistent with its beginner and intermediate-heavy terrain. The Walz family's continuous ownership since 1977, now into a third generation, has shaped operating priorities toward steady, family-oriented growth rather than destination-style programming. Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. As a Madison-area day-trip resort, the calendar leans toward reliable, accessible conditions throughout the season.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
14 Mar 2027
Closes
106
Days open
50 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Cascade Mountain
Daily snow reports at Cascade Mountain go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
4 in
Snowiest day
16 Jan 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
18 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Cascade Mountain, and where to stay
Cascade Mountain sits near Portage, Wisconsin, with a base elevation of 820 feet and a summit at 1,280 feet across a vertical drop of roughly 460 feet over 175 acres. This is south-central Wisconsin, a region of rolling hills and farmland rather than mountainous terrain. The resort was originally developed as part of a planned recreational community by developer Dewey Belton in the early 1960s. Portage itself is a small city along the Wisconsin River.
Portage is the nearest town of note, with Madison, Wisconsin's capital and second-largest city, roughly 30 minutes away by road and the resort's primary visitor source. The Wisconsin Dells, a well-known tourism destination, sits nearby, adding to the area's broader recreational profile. The region carries a mix of farmland and small-town character alongside its recreational draws. Milwaukee lies further east, a longer drive but still within reasonable day-trip range for some visitors.
Interstate 90/94 and local roads connect Portage and Cascade Mountain to the broader south-central Wisconsin highway network. The drive from Madison takes roughly 30 minutes under normal conditions, a key factor in the resort's popularity as an after-work and weekend destination. Winter driving on Wisconsin highways can include snow and ice, though major routes are generally well-maintained. No direct public transport service reaches the resort itself.
Dane County Regional Airport in Madison is the nearest airport with commercial service, roughly 30 to 40 minutes from the resort by road. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport offers a larger range of flight options but sits considerably further away. Most visitors reach Cascade Mountain by car directly from the Madison area rather than flying into a specific regional airport. No rail service reaches the resort directly.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Cascade Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Cascade Mountain's ski season?
Cascade Mountain's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through March 14. That window is roughly 106 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Wisconsin, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Cascade Mountain have?
Cascade Mountain lists about 175 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 47 named runs (71 hectares alongside 175 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Cascade Mountain?
Trail grading at Cascade Mountain breaks down roughly as 38% beginner, 40% intermediate, 21% advanced, 1% expert. With a strong beginner share, Cascade Mountain suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Cascade Mountain have?
Cascade Mountain operates 11 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 3 surface lifts, 2 triple chairs, and 2 double chairs.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Cascade Mountain?
Base elevation at Cascade Mountain is about 820 ft (250 m), with the summit around 1,280 ft (390 m), giving roughly 459 ft (140 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Cascade Mountain get each season?
Cascade Mountain averages about 50 inches (127 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Cascade Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$45 to US$99, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Cascade Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Cascade Mountain so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Cascade Mountain have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Cascade Mountain. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Cascade Mountain located?
Cascade Mountain sits in Wisconsin, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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