Midwest skiing roundup for 2020-21: Fresh air, exercise and adventure with COVID-19 precautions in place

No matter how good the snow or cooperative the weather, this winter’s ski season will arrive with one obvious and glaring speed bump: COVID-19.

“I’ve been in the industry 20 years, and I’ve never experienced planning like this before,” said Greg Fisher, general manager of Granite Peak Ski Area in Wausau, Wisconsin.

“Every ski resort operator is going to learn a lot about how to properly manage it,” he said. “But you can’t get it going until you’re operating and those lifts are turning.”

Fisher expects the steep learning curve for ski resort operators to be paired with outsize demand from people looking for fresh air, exercise and adventure during the persisting pandemic.

The looming changes will be both large and small, and Fisher acknowledged that people won’t be on board for them all. The Granite Peak website even says as much: “(W)hile our goal is to provide a safe and friendly environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unlikely we will please everyone.”

Masks and physical distancing will, of course, be required at Granite Peak and most — if not all — ski areas. But other changes loom, too, such as not being able to leave equipment bags in the main lodge at Granite Peak “due to space and hygiene and sanitary reasons,” Fisher said. They’ll need to be stashed in cars instead.

Also, on busy days, people renting equipment will be required to put on ski boots at their cars rather than in the Granite Peak lodge as is customary. Expect such tweaks and reduced capacities on the ski runs at most ski areas this winter.

The upcoming ski season will involve “a little bit more of a hassle” for most people, Fisher said, adding that such safety measures are antithetical to the usual goal of getting skiers on the slopes quickly and efficiently. This year, he said, safety is the goal.

“I think guests will adapt and understand the challenges we’re facing,” Fisher said. “If they come in with an open mind and knowing that they have to adjust to the changing landscape, they’ll have a great time.”

Here’s a look at what’s ahead for six resorts and ski areas reachable by car from Chicago. Included are projected opening days, though those are estimates based on weather and the resorts’ abilities to make snow.

Close to home

Wilmot Mountain, Wilmot, Wisconsin

Projected opening day: Dec. 5

Distance from Chicago: 64 miles

What it offers: Seven lifts access 25 trails that are split into approximate thirds for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. In 2016, the mountain was bought by industry giant Vail Resorts, which means a season pass links up with some of the nation’s most iconic slopes out west.

COVID-19 plan: Wilmot will require face coverings throughout the property, including in lift lines, when loading, unloading or riding on chairlifts, inside all buildings and during ski and snowboard lessons: “No one will be permitted on the mountain without a face covering.” Wilmot will also facilitate physical distancing on chairlifts, only seating related parties or else two singles on opposite sides of a four-person lift or two singles or two doubles on opposite sides of a six-person lift. Walk-up lift ticket sales will be eliminated this winter; tickets must be bought in advance online, and a guests must have reservations.

Eating: Options will be reduced, including “just a handful of ready-to-go hot and cold options and no ability for any custom or special orders.” Tables will be spaced for physical distancing while outdoor seating will be encouraged. Wilmot suggests avoiding the lodge during peak lunch hours and bringing ample water and snacks.

Sleeping: Nothing on-site, but there are options on both sides of the Wisconsin-Illinois state line.

More information: wilmotmountain.com

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Projected opening day: Dec. 13

Distance from Chicago: 77 miles

What it offers: With 21 runs served by three chairlifts, plus ample food and rooms, Grand Geneva is positioning itself as a nearby family-friendly getaway where remote work and school can intersect with occasional visits to the slopes. There’s night skiing too.

COVID-19 plan: Social distancing will be required or masks necessary “whenever physical distancing cannot be achieved.” Indoor access will be reserved “for those utilizing rental equipment, using the restrooms and dining in our restaurants.” Though ski lift lines will be configured to facilitate social distancing, visitors are asked to ride lifts with friends and family and avoid riding with strangers. Single chair rides will be encouraged whenever necessary. Fewer daily lift tickets will be available.

Eating: The resort is home to several bars and restaurants, including Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top Lodge, which serves lunch and dinner.

Sleeping: Rooms, starting at $109, sit below the ski area, connected by a trolley.

More information: grandgeneva.com

A bit farther

Chestnut Mountain, Galena, Illinois

Projected opening day: Nov. 27

Distance from Chicago: 162 miles

What it offers: Perched in the hills above the Mississippi River, Chestnut is the rare full-service Illinois ski resort. It offers 19 ski trails accessed by six chairlifts and a 7-acre terrain park. Nearly half the runs are graded intermediate and the rest split between beginners and advanced skiers.

COVID-19 plan: Chestnut Mountain promises to “look a bit different” due to the pandemic while “cleaning and sanitation efforts will be thorough and frequent.” Occupancy will be limited in buildings and on chairlifts. Face coverings and social distancing will be required in all indoor areas, base areas, lift lines and on chairlifts.

Sleeping: Chestnut Mountain offers more than 100 “slopeside” rooms with access to an indoor pool, sauna and hot tub.

Eating: The Sunset Grille offers fine views but has had a limited menu and has been restricted to outdoor service this summer due to the pandemic. Its winter plans remain unclear.

Cascade Mountain, Portage, Wisconsin

Projected opening day: Nov. 27

Distance from Chicago: 177 miles

What it offers: About 20 miles from the Wisconsin Dells, Cascade Mountain offers 11 chairlifts serving 47 trails for skiing and snowboarding. There’s a wide array of options for all skill levels, including 38% beginner runs, 24% intermediate runs and 38% advanced runs. Among the highlights is a mile-long beginner trail that winds past “old growth forests, waterfalls, rock formations and more scenic terrain.”

COVID-19 plan: Outdoor online ticket kiosks have been added to keep lift ticket lines minimal. Outdoor seating and restrooms are being increased, and a new deck will be added to the base area with additional fireplaces and outdoor heaters. Public lockers will not be available for storage for this season.

Sleeping: There’s no lodging at the ski area, but the Dells have abundant resorts and hotels.

Eating: There are multiple options for eating, mostly in the burger and sandwich vein, plus bars and an outdoor cookout.

More information: cascademountain.com

Worth the drive

Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan, and Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls, Michigan

Projected opening day: Early December

Distance from Chicago: 350 miles (the two Boyne resorts are about 30 miles apart)

What it offers: A classic ski lodge experience, which make the two Boyne resorts among the jewels of Midwest skiing. While not expansive by Rocky Mountain standards, the Boynes are sizable for the Midwest: 12 lifts accessing 60 runs at Boyne Mountain (29% beginner, 41% intermediate and 30% expert) and 10 lifts reaching 55 runs at Boyne Highlands (37% beginner, 29% intermediate and 34% expert). Both have more than 400 skiable acres.

COVID-19 plan: Guidance differs slightly between the resorts. Guests older than 4 must wear face covering while at Boyne Highlands Resort in all indoor public areas and outdoor areas where it isn’t possible to maintain 6 feet of distance. A face covering must be worn at all times except in restaurants when eating or drinking (including while seated, ordering and arriving or leaving). At Boyne Mountain, face coverings are required in the base area, lift lines, on chairlifts and indoors (except when seated in a restaurant).

Sleeping: Both Boyne locations offer full-service resort experiences, including spa treatments and swimming pools. Room rates start at $105 midweek and $160 at Boyne Highlands and at $113 midweek and $277 on weekends at Boyne Mountain.

Eating: Both locations have multiple dining options.

More information: boynehighlands.com and boynemountain.com

Granite Peak, Wausau, Wisconsin

Projected opening day: Nov. 20

Distance from Chicago: 275 miles

What it offers: Dating to 1937, Granite Peak is one of the oldest ski areas in the Midwest. With 68 runs serviced by seven chairlifts and 700 feet of elevation — a healthy drop by Midwestern standards — it is also a favorite of dedicated Chicago skiers who swear it’s worth the drive.

COVID-19 plan: In addition to the changes mentioned above, masks will be mandatory while skiing, riding chairlifts and waiting in lines. Masks are also required indoors. On weekends and holidays, lift tickets will be available only in advance, and there will be capacity limits.

Sleeping: There’s no lodging on-site, but there are plenty of hotels crossing a range of prices in Wausau and some run shuttles. Several offer lift and lodging packages that are available through the Granite Peak website.

Eating: There are two dining options, both of which have traditionally been cafeteria style. Due to the pandemic, one is being shifted to more of a grab-and-go option, and the other to a full-service restaurant open only on weekends and holidays. What had been a snack shack will serve pizzas this winter (both personal size and larger ones to share), pretzels and an array of craft beers, meant to be consumed outdoors or in a newly added tent for this winter.

More information: skigranitepeak.com

jbnoel@chicagotribune.com

———

©2020 the Chicago Tribune

Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.