My kids skied at Hyland this weekend--what insanity. I don't think Hyland is limiting lift-tickets--anyone know?
Skied Welch, both days this weekend and it was fantastic. Great weather and the snow skied very well. Most of the trails held the snow very well throughout the morning and the front three (Chicken, Bakke and Twister) were in fine condition. Welch continues to blow snow and is in no rush to open the back area. Lines were manageable in the morning but we left around 12:30 both days as the congestion became burdensome (and was expected) around lunch (an advantage of having a pass.)
Was a great holiday break full of skiing. Skied the "Big Snow Country" as it was once known over the past several days and it was great. High pressure, bluebird days, great conditions. Only downside was limited terrain especially at Big Powderhorn and Indianhead. Between the lack of snow, although the 30" they got from around 12/24 - 12/31 sure makes it look like a lot of snow, and the COVID fear or lack of resources, much of the hills remain closed.
Finally went to Blackjack for first time and we loved it. This would be an ideal place to go after a dumping of snow, especially the western side with some of the ridges or areas under the far chairlift. Love the "Beach" setup at the base where we could tailgate and look up at hill.
Indianhead is always fun to return to, this was the one we skied the most up there as kids, just wish the double diamonds were open. We lucked out where they opened a lift by the diamonds during the day and we were able to ski a few runs untracked with about 6"+ of dry powder on the 31st. They were supposed to get 2" with that storm (30th) and got 4" the first day and looked like another 3"+ on the 31st.
Big Powderhorn is such a great ski hill and has always been my favorite of the Michigan ones right there just it was dissapointing they couldn't open up half the terrain. Cannonball and that side was largely closed (including Vertical Drop, Louie's, Katie's, etc). Tons of snowmaking going there, they just couldn't get the snowcats going in time to groom while we were there.
We'll be back. I'll do the extra 2 hour drive any day from Wausau to ski these over Granite Peak. Further south with Cascade and DH just doesn't compare. Some great terrain up in the UP and when the snow is falling it's the best in the Midwest up there.
Hopefully those resorts can stay open. It's a depressing time and COVID certainly doesn't help. Would be sad to see BP or BJ or Porkies, etc close and sit there vacant.
How busy were the hills up there?
It wasn't bad, from opening until around 10:30 there were no crowds anywhere. Typical of a lot of Midwest places. Crowds would show up after that and a few times we had to wait in like a 50-person line but usually like 10-20 most in line. Very few lifts were being operated at any of the resorts so that is part of it. You can see they are trying to minimize expense in a challenging COVID season. Plus if all terrain was open it would spread the crowds.
Worst was at Indianhead around 4pm when only one lift was open for the night ski session. From like 3:30-4:30 that one line got really bad, not just day I was there but other days as I saw on the Midwest FB group page. But by 4:30 that line cleared.
Weather was great, they need more snow though. Hopefully they start getting dumped on next week as rest of this week looks quiet. I hope to get back up there in early March, it's so fun.
Are you sure they are doing the bonus days this year? I tried asking in the fall and no one could tell me the answer. So I bought Epic Local to be safe.Anyone here have an Epic Day Pass (ie 4 or 5 day, etc)? If so have you used the bonus matching days at Wilmot or Afton or My Brighton?
It's advertised on their site for the Epic Day Pass and I bought them for trip later in year. However I can't figure out how to redeem a ticket at Wilmot. I called they said to call wilmot. I tried that but can't get hold of anyone.
WTF why is it so hard. When I try and use epic pass account to reserve day at Wilmot it says I have no days left since am already reserved with the normal days for out west. It doesn't give any option to use the bonus matching days.
Thanks.
Are you sure they are doing the bonus days this year? I tried asking in the fall and no one could tell me the answer. So I bought Epic Local to be safe.
Welch opening the "back bowl" is a positive....above all, the move should help relieve some of the congestion at the lifts. While those trails, even by midwest standards, are short I like that they flow with the terrain, are tight and possess some natural qualities that are lost on ski areas that depend on snowmaking.
There are not many ski areas, maybe Troll, that have trails like Welch's "back bowl" in the Minneapolis area.