Wisconsin - Alpine Valley Ski Experience
Getting from Chicago to the Alpine Valley ski experience proves surprisingly quick and easy. The city gives way to suburbs, suburbs to farmlands, a few brief breezes through communities, and you're taking the exit off the interstate, a short distance from this pleasant big-bang-for-your-bucks ski resort. In all, the drive from the big city is under an hour and a half at posted speed limits.
The staff was warm, friendly and inviting. It's very small-town, nothing pretentious about Alpine Valley, just good folks sharing their knowledge with the rest of us! From the beginning, it's very obvious that you're a welcome guest.
This alpine ski resort is well developed. There's a lift for pretty much every peak's run – eight all told, including the two high-speed quad chairs, plus two wondercarpets for the toddlers. Lift lines are all but non-existent, with that much transport available. As you ride up, you're able to enjoy a view of the terrain and countryside.
Beginners will probably want to take the far right quad chair, the E-Z Rider, up the mountain, and stay on the right side of the mountain, using the Valley View and First Adventure chairs to return to the top of each of those runs.
Downhill skiers who want vertical tuck will probably be most pleased with the middle of the mountain. Broadway, Lodge Express, Big Thunder, and Timber Trail are for more advanced skiers, and avoid the terrain parks. Runs to the left of Broadway, (Sheltered Valley, Northwest Pass, Mohawk Terrain Park, and Alpine) lead to freestyle areas and terrain parks. The adrenaline junkies will most certainly spend their time on the left side of the mountain.
The terrain parks (a new one joins the existing Mohawk for the 2007/2008 season) give air enthusiasts the fix they've been wanting for. Tables, pipes, rails and boxes, all sorts of props, ramps, jumps and toys are waiting to make the freestyle area a solid blast!
The ski school keeps things light and friendly as well. The toddlers will be tickled to learn to ski from a clown, while adults and kids of all ages will benefit from their professional advice. Whether you're a brand newbie, fresh out of the box, or a more experienced skier or snowboarder you're sure to see rapid improvement from an hour or two of the top notch ski schools expertise.
Alpine Valley's volunteer ski patrol literally award winning. They've been recognized at national, area, regional levels. Though they're a volunteer staff (of over 100 certified experts) which makes it all the more certain that they're there for the safety, fun and well-being of their fellow skiers, riders and mountain's guests.
After a full day of outdoor adventure on the ski runs and pipes and rails relax and enjoy the restaurant at the Alpine Dining Room or enjoy a favorite beverage cocktail at the Valley View Lounge.
All in all, the Alpine Valley Ski Resort proves it can deliver. What the mountain lacks in stature, (when compared with a Rocky Mountain resort) they make up for in ample freestyle terrain areas and a well-designed, well maintained and groomed environment. This close in to Chicago land, Alpine Valley is the best ski experience around!
