Hit the slopes this winter at these top Midwest ski resorts

As snow battered the Midwest over Thanksgiving weekend, most Chicagoans came to the reluctant acceptance that another winter had finally come for the Windy City. And while winter may mean the end of things like t-shirts, patios, and swimming, it also brings with it the beginning of ski season! 

However, for many Midwest ski fans, travelling out west to the most popular ski destinations can make enjoying the beloved pastime a logistical and financial nightmare. Booking flights, shipping equipment, and renting cars and hotels can all add up to make it difficult for some and impossible for others. 

While some ski aficionados might scoff at the mountain selection available in the Midwest due to its relative flatness and limited options, there are still a number of hills within driving distance that offer a quick, easy, and cheap option for Chicagoans looking to scratch that skiing itch. And with an unusually snowy winter expected ahead, there's never been a better year to give one of these local ski resorts a try.

Read more on Chicago Star:

• Wrapped in kindness: Gifts that give back this holiday season
• Chicago adopts new “Central Area Plan 2045” to guide development
• Lyric Opera House scores big with Billie Corgan’s “Mellon Collie”

Here are five of our favorite resorts across the Midwest that are perfect for a quick skiing getaway:

Boyne Mountain: Boyne Falls, Michigan

Located a short drive from Traverse City, Michigan, Boyne Mountain is one of the largest and oldest skiing hubs of the Midwest, dating back to the 1940s. The resort boasts 65 ski trails and one of the more developed resort villages with a number of restaurants, hotels, and apres ski bars on site. It is also one of the only ski resorts available on the Ikon pass, one of the two major ski passes that give discounted access to mountains across the country.

Wilmont Ski Resort: Wilmont, Wisconsin

While the smallest resort on this list, Wilmont has become a popular favorite for Chicagoans over the years due to its proximity as the closest hill to the city. At around an hour drive from downtown, Wilmont offers a great option for quick day trips, featuring a family-friendly atmosphere and easier bunny hills for beginners still refining their craft.  

Mount Bohemia: Mohawk, Michigan

Situated on Michigan's Upper Peninsula with a surrounding view of Lake Superior, Mount Bohemia offers some of the most challenging runs in the Midwest, making this a perfect destination for more advanced skiers looking to get their fix in without boarding a plane. With 105 active runs, the resort is known for its difficult wooded backcountry skiing and a 900 ft vertical drop, the largest in the Midwest according to the resort's website.

Granite Parks: Wausau, Wisconsin

First opened in the 1930s by the heir to the Pabst Blue Ribbon fortune, Granite Parks is the oldest ski resort in Wisconsin. The resort offers some of the highest peaks in the state, as well as a well-renowned terrain park for those looking to test their skills. Afterwards, warm yourself up at the Sundance Chalet, a popular apres ski restaurant known for its signature Red Eye Peak Pilsner.

Lutsen Mountain: Lutsen, Minnesota

Though the farthest trip away on this list, Lutsen Mountain is worth the visit, whether you're a long-time skier or just beginning. As the largest Midwest resort by acreage, and with 95 available runs, there is plenty to see and do at Lutsen. Beyond skiing, the resort offers other activities such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and even dogsledding! Lutsen is also one of the few Midwest resorts that offers ski-in ski-out chalets for convenient access to and from the slopes for those staying in town. 

So embrace the snow this winter, skip the TSA lines, and check out one of these great Midwest ski resorts this winter season!