WIJARA (Wisconsin/Illinois/Iowa Junior Racing Association) includes 9 Midwest Ski Teams: Sundown Mountain, Chestnut Mountain, Tyrol Basin, Cascade Mountain, Snowstar, Hidden Valley, Blackhawk, Four Lakes, & Wilmot, Please complete 1 Registration Form per Family, Please complete 1 SRT Concussion Form per Racer, Sundown Mountain Resort The teachers were very heplful to us new comers. For example, if you buy at adult season pass at Sundown Dubuque, you will receive: $10 off a lift ticket at Seven Oaks, Boone IA, 1 free lift ticket for 1 visit ONLY during the season for Mount Crescent, Honey Creek IA, $20 Monday Thursday lift tickets from January to the end of the season at Chestnut Mountain, Galena IL. The volcano was established as a national park in 1998. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. One thing with as long as Chestnut has been here, we have a lot of families that have been here for many years, so you are seeing their kids, sometimes you even see the grandkids come through the property over the years, he mentioned. Theres another ski resort just the other side of Dubuque in Galena, Illinois! Piers & Boardwalks Scenic Walking Areas, found this ski slope by accident, skiing in Iowa looks like fun. Thompsonville, MichiganDistance from Chicago: 312 miles; 4.5-hour driveInstead of being crammed into some broken down old lodge, you can rent badass private homes or high-end condos and throw your own socially distant aprs ski party at this Thompsonville stunner. Rampage | Local ski resorts provide winter fun When it doesnt snow, the resort is maintained by 150 snow guns (believe me, its cold enough for the snow not to melt once it is there!) Although a group of family farmers launched the resort in 1963, turning it into a popular winter getaway destination for the Twin Cities, Vail Resorts has owned it since 2012 and is in the process of adding $10 million in improvements. Sundown Mountain Junior Race Team You don't need to be a skier to find this a place worth visiting. Race Teams - Sundown Mountain Resort Please fix your operations and train staff; otherwise a nice place 2 and a half hours was probably just about my limit as a new skier. Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center, View all hotels near Sundown Mountain on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Sundown Mountain on Tripadvisor, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Dubuque, Hotels near National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Hotels near Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Hotels near Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Hotels near Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Hotels near Dubuque Municipal Airport (DBQ), Motels near Dubuque Municipal Airport (DBQ), Hotels near Wartburg Theological Seminary, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Dubuque, The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum, Lahaina: Turtle Town Snorkel and Whale Watch (Dec-April Time Permitting), Evening Food Tour with Girl Power Riders in Ho Chi Minh City | Kiss Tours, Mt. The main thing that stood out was how friendly and outgoing the instructors were while we were walking around. Beautifully carved through 85 acres of scenic cedar trees with state-of-the-art snowmaking, Sundown Mountain Resort is one of the best Midwest ski resort destinations and the only Midwest ski resort granted the NSAA Award of Excellence. If you've never skied, it's a great place to learn. For this reason, its easy for Chicagoans to plan a weekend trip here (the Windy City is only a three-hour drive away). We had a blast and again the staff did an outstanding job with our group. We were sitting trying to figure out how we were going to get through this. Nestled along Michigans U.P. 100% snowmaking on EVERY trail, excellent grooming and . If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Dubuque, the Hotel Julien is a 20 minute drive from Sundown Mountain, located in the Downtown District. Four people rescued from Wapsi River in Buchanan County, Family rescued from North Liberty house fire, One hurt in single-vehicle rollover crash in Linn County, Suspects in more than 30 Midwest burglaries arrested after break-in at Iowa City bakery, Iowa senior Nia Carter leads the Big Ten in hits, ranks second in the NCAA, Show You Care: Miracles in Motion helps people with disabilities expand their horizons, Camp Courageous hosts annual omelet breakfast fundraiser. And once you and your (vaccinated, boosted, and masked) buddies throw on those extra layers, it wont take long to drive out to a place where you can cruise atop pristine white powder. There are 11 ski runs at Seven Oaks including a bunny hill for beginners and a couple of terrain parks. With nine lifts and one-third of the resort dedicated to Black or Double Black Diamond tears, check out the Cannonball or Blunder trails for some of the most delightfully challenging terrain in the region. We are not the most athletic bunch, but it was amazing how quickly the instructor had us feeling confident and manuvering with few falls. Seven Oaks is located in Boone, just under a 50 minute drive North of Des Moines and very close to Ames. Somehow this place seems to make beginners on rentals think they can hit the black diamonds. If you dont have your own gear, no worries, as you can rent some on the slopes or bring your own and enjoy a day out in the powder! Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Boy were we blown away! At Sundown Mountain, we have something for everyone; whether you are an experienced winter enthusiast or just learning how to get down the hill, Sundown Mountain offers plenty of snowy fun and an unforgettable Midwest winter experience. and things just started to come naturally and Im not even sure exactly what I was doingI JUST STOPPED THINKING ABOUT IT. Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque and Mount Crescent in Honey Creek, along with the 3rd Iowa ski resort Seven Oaks in Boone, are all part of the program. They have a few terrain parks, naturally, but how many resorts do you know that also house a full-on tubing park? Full Review The peak of the mountain has a rugged terrain with caves on the lower elevations of the mountain. These high points of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, both on mainland Europe and in the Caribbean, serve as major tourist attractions for both the wildlife supported therein as well as the activities supported by these areas. Just like skiing snowboarding is separated into many different categories including freestyle, freeride, and downhill. The north is Protestant, the south is Catholic. Use Search above to see rates for your dates. Planning a Sundown Mountain ski trip or just heading up for the day? Were guessing just this one. I went with my 13 yo son (we are both novices) on Sunday. The mountain is located in Saba. 46 Top Things To Do in Dubuque Iowa, Recommended By A Local! I signed up to a one hour private lesson for $48. Chestnut Mountain Resort - Galena, IL - Step Outside We enjoyed watching the more advanced skiers and snowboarders on the bigger slopes from the lodge. The 475-foot vertical drop mountain has over 150 snow guns and the runs are groomed daily. Chestnut Mountain Resort, Galena, Illinois Topher Donahue/Getty Images Perched near the banks overlooking the Mississippi River, the 220-acre Chestnut Mountain Resort boasts a 100-room. After her lesson ended the instructor congratulated her on how well she had progressed and encouraged her to keep practicing on the bunny hill. There's also a full bar area around the corner from the food concessions where there happened to be live music the day we were there. Mount Scenery is on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, which is now part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved. With 60 trails, 12 lifts, and seven terrain parks, one thing you wont find at this iconic resort is boredom. Compared to other similar sized ski/snowboard hills this is great. At Sundown Mountain, we have something for every skier or snowboarder; whether you are an experienced winter enthusiast or just learning how to get down the hill, Sundown Mountain offers plenty of snowy fun and an unforgettable Midwest winter experience. Never for very long though, its always been a flying visit! Must be 21 to make reservation. Season Passes - Chestnut Mountain Resort The cafeteria in the main lodge is small, not too much selection, with the typical burger and fries. USA. Murphy mentioned he is excited to welcome people back to the slopes. The Sunset Grille restaurant serves up fine dining favorites and The Summit Food & Spirits offers the area's finest contemporary cuisine with a modern flair. Copyright 1995-2023 Mountain News LLC. Anyhow, I did not throw on my skis and shush down the mountain instead, I walked around to see what was there. If youre a first-time skier or need more confidence, most resorts offer private or group lessons. Chestnut Mountain has 19 ski slopes and 2 terrain parks. The lessons are drop-in and the times are posted online which I found very convenient. Each mountain has three food-and-drink options, from ribeyes and Chicago-style stuffed pizza at Indianhead Mountains Elkhorn Dining Room to pig candy (seasoned and sweetened bacon) at Blackjack Mountain. When everybody else is sleeping, they are out making snow, Mark Gordon, general manager, said. Sundown has 21 varied ski runs and 2 terrain parks on the property. The Chestnut Mountain Resor t is among the best Illinois ski areas for people of all ages. Across the bridge in Galena, Illinois, staff at Chestnut Mountain Resort are also in deep producing snow. And they have a lot of openings. My legs didnt feel like they were splitting apart anymore and I started to get a little confidence in myself! Related: These Are the 10 Coolest Ski Destinations in America Right Now Plus Tips for the Perfect Trip. One thing that surprised me the most when I moved to Iowa, was that there was actually a ski resort! snow was good people are friendly and the terrain park is good. The Mountain Center has benches with space underneath them to store shoes. Your racer will train right along side of the competitive team learning skiing fundamentals . If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You learn something new all the time. The mountain, though it has been dormant for a long time it is considered potentially active due to groundwater heating. . NOW BOOKING Weddings, Reunions, Graduation Parties, and MORE! We went Fri-Sun so we figured we'd check it out Fri evening and if it was dingy we could still have all of Saturday to ski at Chestnut Mountain. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. This level includes all training sessions and entry and coaching at the 4 WIJARA Race League events (Chestnut Mountain, Sundown Mountain, Cascade Mountain and Tyrol Basin). While I was researching winter activities for this ski trip, I stumbled across Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, just 20 minutes from Hotel Julien and 40 minutes from downtown Galena (who knew?) Just about 20 minutes to Omaha, or two hours West of Des Moines, Mt. My large family has been going to the same ski resort (Chestnut Mountain in Galena, IL) since I was a teenager. An adult weekday unlimited lift pass at Sundown Mountain Resort is $38 ($46 at weekends), ski and snowboard rentals are $32 for a day, making it an affordable option compared to some of the bigger resorts. On the Mountain . I could go on and on about this placeand I did! A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account. Location: Wijster Plan & Stay . Snow-making machines further the fun at these resorts, too, making a day at the slopes easily within reach. This sounds like a very manageable place to break into a new sport. Netherlands is a country in Western Europe that is slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey, covering an area of 41,543 square kilometers and bordering only two countries, Germany and Belgium. We may not have the same dizzying, ear-popping altitudes as Utahs Snowbird or Colorados Vail, but us Midwesterners still have plenty of ski-worthy slopes at our fingertips. The slopes were all fairly empty too. Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, Iowa is one of the best Midwest ski resorts and the premier destination to take your family skiing and snowboarding this winter! The lower elevations of the Mount Scenery support dry evergreen forest with species such as white cedar, sea grape, and redwood, cacti, mountain mahogany, grassy meadows. As weather cools down, ski resorts in the tri-state area look forward to reopening this week, Both Sundown and Chestnut Mountain resorts have been closed as of last week because of high temperatures. Some of the areas have been protected for ecotourism to promote conservation of wildlife by the tourists. that include Tips Up Food & Spirits (with two fireplaces and bowls of hot chili), Mollys Mountaintop Coffee (in lieu of making smores, order the smores latte) and The Barn (ski-in only, with a firepit). In a cool twist, this resort which debuted in 1980 when a few local families founded it was where Olympic-medal-winner freestyle skater Nick Goepper first learned to ski. Dubuque, IA 52002 So if staying close to the ski resort is important to you, Chestnut Mountain could be a good option! With its namesake mountain at 1,460-foot elevation, the shining star at this Central Ohio ski resort the largest in Ohio is the 300-foot vertical drop. With this new mountain, the province has moved up 3 places in our mountain classification! Sundown opened for the season on Nov. 27, but has now been closed for five days because of high temperatures last week. Accommodations; Rates & Packages; Book Now! With a whopping 74 runs plus six terrain parks and one of the highest elevations in the Midwest at 1,942 feet, this resort, dating to 1937, is also one of the oldest in North America. I think part of my problem was that I was over thinking what I had to do too much right leg does this, left leg does thatI just couldnt seem to put the two techniques together. Sundown Mountain ski resort opens up slopes on Thursday for - KWWL Chestnuts location in Galena (one of ourtop Midwest winter vacation spots) perched high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River provides a unique environment from which to survey your surroundings before tackling the resorts 19 runs, three terrain parks, 10 lifts, and an impressive-by-Midwestern-standards 475-foot vertical drop. Cadillac MichiganDistance from Chicago: 283 miles; 4.5-hour driveThis 30-run resort features steep slopes, two peaks, five aerial lifts, and plenty of backcountry terrain if you're in the market for a snowy path less traveled. Get Directions to Sundown. There are also a couple of vending machines in this location. At Sundown, there's more than one ski lift and I found that to be a wonderful perk for beginners that wouldn't be an option at Chestnut. Snow Report. Just eight miles from Galena with its many shops, restaurants, and historic sites. Food area is a small cafeteria-like spot inside one of the lodges (similar to Chestnut although Chestnut also has an additional full restaurant on-site). The North Lodge (walking away from the Mountain Center and the chair lifts) has a fast food restaurant selling things like burgers and sandwiches, a bar, a gift shop and seating space. I visited a second time and attempted to go down Sunbowl a couple of times, but I was miserable. Mount Scenery is the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands at an elevation of 2,877 feet, and it is located within the Saba Municipality. Here are some Christmas events on during November and December! Skiing is not for me, but at least I gave it a go! They, however, have not opened at all this year. Get a sneak peek of the mountain with each cam stationed at various locations. Best Skiing Near Chicago: Top Resorts & Mountains in the - Thrillist The Resort Partners cover: 3 Iowa ski resorts, 2 in Illinois, 2 in Wisconsin, 1 in Idaho, 2 in Colorado, 2 in New Mexico, 2 in Arizona and 1 in Utah! The government has also designated these areas as parts of some national parks and reserves to protect its biodiversity. Elkhorn, WisconsinDistance from Chicago: 90 miles; 1.5-hour driveYou probably know Alpine Valley as that place where you saw Dave Matthews that one time in high school. Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions Page, Total Vertical Drop of 475 feet, with Runs Carved Among Picturesque Cedar Trees, 21 Scenic Trails with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Runs, 2 Terrain Parks with Progressive Features, 2 Mountain Top Lodges Overlooking 100 Square Miles of Countryside, Kids Park Facility for Children Ages 3-11, Ski and Snowboard Lessons for All Ages and Abilities, Sundown Parks Video & Photo Contest 2023. Hope to see you back soon :). Since we've been going there forever, we never thought to look into other alternatives. Kristine Hansen is a design, food and drink, and travel writer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bessemer, MichiganDistance from Chicago: 408 miles; 6-hour driveWith 253 skiable acres featuring one of the largest vertical drops in the Midwest, Big Powderhorn is a classic Upper Peninsula getaway offering a wide variety of terrain across 45 trails and three terrain parks. Conveniently located in the Midwest, Sundown Mountain Resort offers: Total Vertical Drop of 475 feet, with Runs Carved Among Picturesque Cedar Trees 21 Scenic Trails with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Runs 2 Terrain Parks with Progressive Features 2 Mountain Top Lodges Overlooking 100 Square Miles of Countryside Tips Up Food & Spirits 20 Most Beautiful Winter Towns in the U.S. 7 Ski Destinations Perfect for a Romantic Winter Getaway, This Colorado Mountain Has a Dedicated Ski Train and After-dark Tubing, This Underrated Train Is the Most Picturesque Way to See the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, and the Pacific Northwest, 7 Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts for a Winter Getaway, The 10 Best Ski Resorts in North America for Seniors, 8 of the Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Thrilling Terrain and Stunning Scenery, 8 Midwest Resorts Perfect for a Cozy Fall Getaway, 13 Beautiful Winter Drives Around the United States, These Are the 8 Best Ski Resorts in Vermont, Why This Canadian Ski Town Is the Perfect Winter Vacation Destination, The 12 Best Family-friendly Ski Resorts That Cater to Kids and Kids at Heart, These Are the 10 Coolest Ski Destinations in America Right Now Plus Tips for the Perfect Trip.