Downhill Skiing, Sledding, and Snow Tubing: Up North Winter Fun for Everyone

The Northwoods is famous for incredible snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and fat-tire biking trails, but those aren’t the only winter sports we have to offer. The region also boasts several incredible resorts and hills for downhill skiing, snow tubing, and sledding. Whether you’re looking for an impressive vertical drop on skis or a family-friendly day of fun on snow tubes or toboggans, be sure to add the following destinations to your Up North winter itinerary.

Camp 10 – Rhinelander

Camp 10 has a new double chairlift that serves 15 runs, offering options for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers alike. They also have lights and snowmaking, extending your opportunities to ski their 240-foot vertical drop. Camp 10’s ski season typically starts in mid-December and ends in March. Their daytime skiing hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please check their Facebook page for updates and announcements.

Granite Peak Ski Area – Rib Mountain

Granite Peak has the greatest vertical drop of any resort in Wisconsin: 700 feet. After recent expansions, Granite Peak now has more than 75 runs on its expansive 400-acre footprint. The resort has state-of-the-art snowmaking and lifts (including the longest and highest in the Midwest). Snowboarders, Granite Peak also has plenty for you—including jumps and terrain features. Add to these assets the massive, new Sundance Chalet and Grill and the impeccably restored 10th Mountain Chalet, in addition to the Alpine Learning Center and Ticket Building, Mountain Rental Shop, the Peak Performance Demo and Tuning Center, and the Granite Ski and Sports Shop, and you have yourself an incredible ski trip in the making.

Kettlebowl Ski Area – Bryant

If you are looking for winter fun in the Antigo area, travel just 17 miles northeast to Kettlebowl Ski Area. Kettlebowl is open from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter, as long as weather conditions are suitable and volunteers are available. Lifts and towropes help skiers ascend the hill. After an afternoon of skiing, stop inside the warm chalet for coffee, cocoa, soup, hot dogs, and other goodies.

Keyes Park – Florence

Snowsports lovers of all types will enjoy a trip to Keyes Park, where there are opportunities for downhill skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. If you are traveling light, Keyes Park provides daily rentals of boots, skis, poles, tubes, and snowboards.

Minocqua Winter Park – Minocqua

You may know Minocqua Winter Park as the Midwest’s premier Nordic center, with 6,500 acres and impeccably maintained trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. But they also have snow tubing on Squirrel Hill on weekends for the entire snow season as well as daily tubing opportunities around Christmas and New Year’s. You will want to come back to Minocqua Winter Park again and again this winter to explore the trails and ice skating pond tucked within dense forests with many scenic spots.

Mt. Ashwabay – Bayfield

Mt. Ashwabay has something for everyone this winter: a 317-foot vertical drop and 12 runs, a tubing park, and a terrain park, as well as groomed cross-country trails. The ski lifts run every day from December 22 to January 2 (except for Christmas Day) and Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the remainder of the season. The tubing hill is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Palmquist Farm – Brantwood

Palmquist Farm’s sledding hill provides hours of fun for all ages. Plastic toboggan sleds are available to use on Palmquist’s slick slope, but feel free to bring along your favorite sled from home. In your stay at Palmquist, take advantage of their beautiful cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing trails, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and ice skating pond, too. After a day in the snow, warm up in the warming lodge and treat yourself to a soothing sauna session or massage.

Trollhaugen Ski Resort – Dresser

With 23 runs and four terrain parks, delicious food, and craft brews, a trip to Trollhaugen is a must for skiing and snow tubing lovers. For snow tubers interested in an effortless day of fun in the snow, a moving sidewalk brings you back up the hill after every exhilarating trip down. Snow tubing is available Friday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Trollhaugen also has special hours around Christmas and New Year’s. For skiers, the regular season begins on Monday, November 25. You can ski any day of the week during the ski season, with late-night skiing available on Fridays.

Whitecap Mountains Resort – Upson

Three peaks in the Penokee Range—Whitecap, Eagle’s Nest, and Thunderhead—provide a total of 43 trails and a vertical drop of 400 feet. The resort provides a variety of terrain, from low-key to challenging slopes.