
Granite Peak
58 runs, 700ft vertical, 155 acres on Rib Mountain near Wausau. Wisconsin's steepest, largest ski area.
Granite Peak's summit reaches 1,943 feet, dropping 700 vertical feet to a base at 1,243 feet across 58 runs spread over 155 acres on Rib Mountain near Wausau, Wisconsin. Terrain splits 45 per cent advanced, 24 per cent each beginner and intermediate, and 7 per cent expert, a notably steep mix for a Midwest resort. Average annual snowfall is low at roughly 65 inches, so the resort depends heavily on snowmaking. Granite Peak operates its own Legendary Pass, shared with Lutsen Mountains and other affiliated areas.
Ten lifts, including four quads, one six-pack and two triples, serve the 58-run network, giving Granite Peak the largest lift count of any Wisconsin ski area. The 700-foot vertical drop and steep terrain mix make it Wisconsin's largest and most advanced-leaning resort. The mountain sits within Rib Mountain State Park, one of the oldest ski areas in North America. Night skiing runs alongside daytime operations.
The Wausau Kiwanis Club donated land on Rib Mountain to the state in 1924, with the state acquiring further acreage soon after. The ski area opened in 1937, among the first in North America, with the Civilian Conservation Corps building the first downhill runs and tow ropes during the 1930s. A shelter house opened in 1939, described at the time as among the finest structures of its kind in the Midwest, hosting the Wausau Ski Club's first official function. Night skiing arrived in 1955 with 28 spotlights, and snowmaking followed in 1958, decades before it became standard at most competitors.
Granite Peak's Legendary Pass gives access alongside Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota and other affiliated areas under the same network. Adult full-day tickets range from 65 to 109 US dollars depending on date and time, with a discounted Wisconsin Wednesdays rate at 20 dollars and a Legendary Plus season pass at 699 dollars. The resort suits Wausau and central Wisconsin skiers seeking the state's largest and steepest terrain. Its operation on state park land under a private lease with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is a distinctive arrangement among Midwest resorts.
Granite Peak, on Rib Mountain beside Wausau in central Wisconsin, is a compact but busy hill with 58 runs across about 155 acres (63 hectares). The base is 1,240 ft (379 m) and the summit 1,940 ft (592 m), a vertical drop of 700 ft (213 m). Advanced runs lead at 45%, with 24% beginner, 24% intermediate and 7% expert, which makes it steeper than most Midwest hills. Four quads, a six-person chair, two triples and three surface lifts keep skiers moving, and the high-capacity lift line-up makes the best use of a small footprint on the hill.
Rib Mountain rises abruptly from the surrounding plain, so the runs are short but fairly steep, with seven tree areas, four mogul runs and several terrain parks adding variety. Groomed runs fan out from the top, and the short pitches make for quick, repeatable laps. Granite Peak suits advanced skiers wanting a quick, steep fix, along with park riders, learners and families from across Wisconsin. It is honest to call it a local hill, but the quality of grooming and the lift system give it a bigger feel than the acreage implies.
The 2025-26 season at Granite Peak 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 Granite Peak's modest natural snowfall totals.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 65 inches is low even by Midwest standards, meaning Granite Peak depends on snowmaking for nearly all of its season-long conditions. This makes temperature, far more than storm cycles, the key variable in operating reliability. Base depth is maintained largely through machine-made snow, a practice the resort has followed since adopting snowmaking in 1958. Specific current snowmaking coverage percentage is not confirmed in available resort information.
Midwinter, from late December through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions once snowmaking has built a consistent base across the resort's advanced-leaning terrain. Night skiing sessions, a Granite Peak tradition dating to 1955, extend the useful hours of each day throughout the season. Weekend crowds are heavier than weekdays, given the resort's role as Wisconsin's largest ski area. Late-season visits into April can be inconsistent as temperatures warm.
Granite Peak's calendar centres on serving skiers seeking the state's steepest terrain rather than festival programming. The resort's Legendary Pass connection to Lutsen Mountains and other affiliated areas ties its calendar loosely to a broader regional network. Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. As Wisconsin's largest and most advanced-leaning resort, the calendar leans toward serving committed skiers over beginner-focused programming.
Daily snow reports at Granite Peak go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
Granite Peak sits on Rib Mountain, within Rib Mountain State Park, in the Town of Rib Mountain, Marathon County, Wisconsin, just south of Wausau. Base elevation is 1,243 feet, with the summit reaching 1,943 feet across a 700-foot vertical drop over 155 acres. This is central Wisconsin, with Rib Mountain itself a well-known local landmark and one of the oldest ski areas in North America. The surrounding state park adds hiking and other recreation beyond the ski area.
Wausau is the nearest city of size, providing the bulk of lodging, dining and services beyond the resort itself. The Wausau Kiwanis Club's 1924 land donation to the state set the stage for the ski area's development on what was already public park land. The broader central Wisconsin region carries a mix of small-city and rural character. Green Bay and the Fox Valley lie a reasonable drive to the east.
US Highway 51 and Interstate 39 provide the main access route from Wausau and the broader central Wisconsin highway network. The drive from Wausau takes only a few minutes given the resort's position just south of the city. Milwaukee and Madison lie roughly two to three hours south by road. Winter driving conditions in central Wisconsin can include snow and ice, though major routes are generally well-maintained.
Central Wisconsin Airport, serving the Wausau area, is the nearest airport with limited commercial service. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport both offer substantially more flight options but sit two to three hours away by road. Most visitors reach Granite Peak by car directly from the Wausau area or drive up from Milwaukee or Madison. No rail service reaches the resort directly.
Hotels and lodges near Granite Peak, powered by Stay22.

The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.

A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.

Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.

Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.

Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.

Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.

Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.

Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 27, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Granite Peak typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from US$20, with peak rates up to US$109.
Value-priced full day skiing at Granite Peak, Wisconsin's largest ski area. Features 58 trails across 200+ acres with 7 lifts and 4 terrain parks in the heart of northern Wisconsin.
Buy passPrime-day full access to Granite Peak's 58 trails and terrain parks. Wisconsin's legendary ski area with high-speed chairlifts and RFID gate system for convenient lift access.
Buy passYouth daily ticket for Granite Peak in Wausau, Wisconsin. Access to Wisconsin's largest ski area with excellent terrain variety from beginner to advanced skiing and snowboarding.
Buy passChildren's lift ticket at Granite Peak. Wisconsin skiing with kids ski free program when purchasing adult/child 3-day combo tickets. Perfect for family ski vacations in northern Wisconsin.
Buy passFree skiing for children 5 and under at Granite Peak. Wisconsin's legendary ski area welcomes families with convenient access from Milwaukee, Madison, and Minneapolis.
Buy passSenior lift ticket for Granite Peak Ski Area. Discounted access to Wisconsin's largest ski area with 58 trails and legendary Midwest skiing experience in Wausau.
Buy passComplimentary skiing for seniors 80 and older at Granite Peak. Visit guest services desk for setup at Wisconsin's legendary ski area in the heart of northern Wisconsin.
Buy passSpecial Wednesday night skiing from 5pm-9pm at Granite Peak for just $20. Includes $20 rental specials and Wisconsin beer on tap - celebrating local Wisconsin pride.
Buy passFour flexible lift tickets for Granite Peak with multi-day savings. Use on any operating days throughout the season at Wisconsin's largest ski area with family-owned hospitality.
Buy passUnlimited access to Granite Peak, Lutsen Mountains, and Snowriver Mountain Resort. Family-owned Midwest ski resorts offering authentic charm and premium mountain experiences.
Buy passUnlimited access to three Midwest resorts while avoiding 12 busiest days. Smart choice for value-conscious skiers at Granite Peak, Lutsen, and Snowriver Mountain Resort.
Buy passMore Granite Peak intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.