Granite Peak may not have the Rocky Mountains, but it’s got something just as powerful—heart, history, and more vertical than almost any ski hill between the Appalachians and the Tetons. Perched on Rib Mountain in central Wisconsin, Granite Peak offers true mountain-style skiing in the Midwest: long runs, high-speed lifts, and a lively local scene that keeps the stoke alive from open to close.

Quick Stats

• Location: Wausau, Wisconsin
• Elevation: 1,240 ft base / 1,940 ft summit
• Vertical Drop: 700 ft
• Skiable Terrain: 225 acres
• Annual Snowfall: ~75 inches (plus robust snowmaking across 100% of the mountain)
• Number of Runs: 68
• Lifts: 7 (including three high-speed quads)
• Vibe Check: Local, laid-back, and surprisingly legit

The Vibe

Granite Peak feels like a mountain community dropped in the heart of the Midwest. There’s no big resort glitz here—just long runs, fast lifts, and an atmosphere full of Midwestern friendliness. The terrain is diverse: easy cruisers for families, wide blues for carvers, and legit steeps that will surprise even seasoned skiers. Après is lively but approachable, with local beer, live music, and hearty Wisconsin food that hits the spot after a day in the cold. It’s the Midwest done right: real, unpretentious, and full of joy.

Must-Ride Runs

🟢 Greens

• Birch – smooth and wide for beginners finding their balance.
• Aspen – mellow slope with plenty of space to practice turns.

🟦 Blues

• Exhibition – one of the longest runs in the Midwest, perfect for carving laps.
• Mirage – classic intermediate run with rolling terrain and great flow.
• Boulder – local favorite for progression with just enough pitch.

♦︎ Blacks

• Dasher – steep, sustained, and one of Granite’s signature thrillers.
• Rib Tickler – short and sharp with bumps and soft snow.
• Aspen Glades – tree skiing that rivals bigger mountains on a powder day.

Après + Town Stays

Après at Granite Peak means good company, live music, and true Wisconsin flavor. Wausau’s downtown is only minutes away, offering plenty of great food, beer, and lodging.

• The Sundance Chalet – the resort’s slopeside après hub with craft beer and comfort food.
• Red Eye Brewing Company – inventive local brewery with wood-fired pizza and hearty plates.
• Wausau Mine Company – family-friendly and full of local history (try the burgers).
• Malarkey’s Pub – downtown staple for beer, wings, and local energy.
• Mint Café – a Wausau landmark serving diner classics since the 1940s.
• Stewart Inn – boutique B&B for a cozy, upscale stay downtown.
• Jefferson Street Inn – modern hotel in the heart of Wausau with easy access to everything.

Travel Tips

Fly into Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA)—just 15 minutes from the mountain—or Green Bay (GRB) and Milwaukee (MKE) for more options. If you’re driving, Granite Peak is right off Highway 51, making it one of the most accessible ski destinations in the Midwest. The resort offers night skiing on nearly 75% of the mountain—don’t miss the sunset-to-starlight transition. Peak conditions hit from mid-January through early March.

Fun Facts

• Granite Peak is one of the oldest ski areas in the U.S., opened in 1937.
• The mountain was developed by Wausau native Walter Schroeder, who wanted to bring “the Alps to Wisconsin.”
• Boasts one of the tallest vertical drops in the Midwest at 700 feet.
• The Exhibition run is over a mile long—rare east of the Rockies.
• Rib Mountain is one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back 1.7 billion years.

Why It Made Our Top 50 List

Granite Peak made the list because it’s the Midwest’s ultimate surprise—big terrain, modern lifts, and genuine charm all packed into one mountain. It’s proof that great skiing doesn’t need altitude, just attitude. For Midwestern skiers, this is hallowed ground.