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Why I love minnisota
No modern 10-seater gondola lift, like what's destroying ALL vintage rare and mechanically different lifts in Europe, will ever last 60 years, before all of their overcomplications start to make themselves known(by malfunctioning). The manufacturers of modern lifts say the modern lifts are "easier to maintain", whereas one can LITERALLY SEE THE MECHANICAL SIMPLICITY of an old design from before the standardization imposition of the 1990's in Europe. The Von Roll "VR101" as it's called was the first detachable single-cable ski lift system in history. The first one was built in 1945 in Flims-Laax-Falera(Die ursprungliche Sesselbahn Foppa, 1945 - 1986, ersetzt durch eine Garaventa 3er Kuppelbare Sesselbahn aus dem ersten Generation wurde auch ersetzt im 2023 durch eine scheissen modernen Massenproduktion 10er Gondelbahn ohne Seltenheit oder Mechanischem Vielfalt, wie war an allen seltenen Seilbahn passierte...), and the oldest one in existence, in Krupka, CZ, just 50 minutes away from Dresden, is 72 years old. It will not be slaughtered by a crappy modern lift either! While I am happy that Von Roll VR101's have been built in more places than just mountain regions(and have the recognition for being the mechanical works of art which all old ski lifts are), that should have happened to all old ski lifts. They can be built anywhere, and it is beyond me as to why people didn't take advantage of that fact. Nearly all old ski lifts are gone as a result.
Capacity and costs are certainly an important argument. but you have way more safety at loading and unloading with detachables, especially with children and beginner. And i think thats the biggest reason why resorts here in Europe install detachable, in contrast to fix griped. With detachables resorts can limit safety and especially liability almost to zero. Just my 2 cents here from Austria.
"Should we go ski"? No lets walk down.....
I remember Mankato from the little house in prairie😂
The 2023-24 season was tough, but you could rely on good snow from opening day to the last day of the season.
I do the Indy Pass and get a bohemia pass, which gives me the ability to ride 100+ days a season at dozens of spots for under $500. Out west, you pay more for everything, drive further, and wait in longer lift lines to dodge more ppl on the slopes.
GREAT take on it and I agree its the best in the Midwest! All the change in seasons is nice.
Nice work MZ. If you love skiing there’s many great options in the Midwest to feed your need to ski and still have good living with the fam.
This is something that I’ve given a lot of thought to. After doing a lot of research, I think you’re 100% right that the Twin Cities would be great for all the reasons you listed. But there are some other factors too: the Twin cities have so many big parks within them (with natural woods, not curated greenery) that it makes the place interesting from a trail runner, mountain biker, fat biker, and cross country skier point of view. You can do all of these sports on a daily basis at a relatively decent level without taking a day off work to drive somewhat far. Also, Minneapolis is such a cool city in its own right, which is a plus. My brother currently lives there, and it’s fun to visit. But with that said, I personally found myself in late 2020 living abroad but securing a remote position (with a decent but modest salary). I immediately started researching ski towns across the Mountain West. With two kids and a wife, it would be impossible to live in any ski town without being a multimillionaire. Eventually I realized Utah is a gem, in that all of its population centers (SLC, Ogden, Cache Valley, Cedar City) are within 45 minutes of excellent skiing! As a native Coloradan, it somewhat broke my heart to admit Utah is better, but the proximity is just so much closer, and traffic is dispersed on so many roads, not just one road (I-70). But with that said, although Utah is awesome , it still is not quite as close as the Twin Cities, in which you could do a few laps after work, since even a 45 minute drive is somewhat considerable. There is also not great in-city cross country skiing, except for in Cache Valley, and one part of the SLC metro (Millcreek).
Having lived and skied all over the west (CO, UT, CA, OR, WA) I couldn't imagine being a ski bum in the mid west (I grew up in the midwest skiing MN, WI, and MI). There just isn't enough interesting and challenging terrain at most mid west resorts in my opinion. I currently live in central WA and have both Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge within 40-45 minutes (Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee, etc. all have great access to both). I was able to get 70 resort days and probably 20 backcountry days and I am not even a ski bum. The ski bum life is still doable out west if you find the right places.
I think you'd enjoy Mt Bohemia. The terrain is as technical as anything you'd find out west. It's too bad there aren't more spots as challenging. Most I get bored of after 2 days but boho is always worth hitting up.
@@JollyLamaCom I've skied Mt Bohemia and do really like it. I know it's often referenced as a more challenging mountain by midwest standards, but it definitely isn't as technical as anything out west.
Artski doesn't fit in any of your ski bum categories!
Artski is in a league of his own! Super Duper Ski Bum
No it’s not
Cincinnati local here, primary resort is perfect north. Great video! totally agree. I take two trips out west a year and couldn't be happier.
I work in a factory on the afternoon shift in Michigan. And i ride 2 - 3 days a week in the morning. 20 minute drive to the hill. Cant do that in denver.
Obv never heard of ruby hill or echo or touring in the foothills
I would argue that Echo/Ruby aren't far different from Midwest riding. While true touring can be done in the foothills, the point he is making is simple proximity vs. hours spent on I-70 enduring pass closures, avalanches, rock slides, traffic etc. I recall nights in my Avon home waiting for the Denver/springs group only to arrive 7 hours after their respective departure's. Z sums it up wonderfully in his closing and acknowledges it's not the most ideal compared to the mountain states, but for those that have close access, it is certainly the pro to a con.
@Multirado well said, and comprehended. I am a rare guy who chooses quantity over quality. I need to ride multiple days a week no matter what the conditions. with a day or 2 off in between for recovery. Midwest riding works for me.
🙏💯💯💯
@@maness2112 could not agree more! And for what it's worth, the sub-cultures beyond the mountains breed a unique enthusiasm that are often lost living in big mountain resort towns.
If im riding the lift with you and you say the line “this is nothing compared to out west” You’re tacky and I hate you
I’m going to ban you from this channel if you keep this up! I bet you don’t even have a captains license
Well done! As a former midwest rider I love the work you do on this channel. I live in SLC now and I would argue it's the best western town for corporate bums. Way better proximity than Denver, cheaper, and less traffic. I'd be happy to show you around if you find yourself in Utah!
🙏🙏🙏 agree- SLC definitely looks promising! I was surprised to see a cost of living comparable to most of the Midwest
not for long! people are flocking
kinda late but what is the name of the song playing in the first few mins of the video
Agree with the top four. My two local bergs wouldn't make many top five lists but would be strong contenders for the top dozen. Caberfae has much of what makes Nubs so special, top notch snowmaking and a focus on snowsports without a lot of fluff. If you really like the resort stuff than Crystal (of Thomsonville) is quite a sprawl with a touch of luxury.
Cab is a great one! I need to visit Crystal; it is on my next season's shortlist. (Hopefully, the weather will be better than this year!)
@@MidwestSkiers Caberfae is my season pass hill so I'm there usually twice a week on random weekdays. I've done a lot of videos about it on my HillOrStream channel. If your ever going to be there on a good snow day find me and I'll show you around the Darkside and Backcountry! At Crystal there are a few steep spots but the lack of vertical makes them toothless. Nice easy glades in back. Make sure you visit all the lifts, not much else to do. There is a lift in back I probably missed for years! I'd thought it was the back of one of the front lifts so I never went over to what turns out to be it's own little pod.
Telle ski Bohemia many times only good with powder or soft snow.
The Puyallup Fair here in Washington state has the same exact one. It was originally at the Seattle Center built for the World's Fair. It was then disassembled and moved to Puyallup.
I know they were part of the Mount Bohemia reciprocal pass, And thought they were on Ski Cooper??
Congrats on 4000 subscribers!
Love the list and Hyland's inclusion. It is closer to my office than any McDonald's. Speaking of accessible, tons of kids learn here or go for the first time and others that wouldn't ever be able to go. Hyland is host to a huge adaptive skiing population, shout out to Courage Kenny!
You typical mid west area should try adding more and better snowmaking to cover more of the hill. Perhaps snow guns at the top,bottom and middle and have them going more often. have the guns set up to closer resemble natural snow. In addition to that I've noticed some areas don't have lap bars on their lifts. I think they all should. And how bout having more efficient ski rental services to speed up the wait lines. And a lower cost on rental and lessons would help too. 10:00
Nothing like Michigan's UP - Big Powderhorn, Indianhead (recently renamed), The Porkies and Mount Bohemia for a rustic ski/board destination.
Whitecap!!! Mt. Bohemia, The Porkies, Giants Ridge and Whitecap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRING IT BACK
If you like this style of park reports, check out the Ullr Park app at www.ullr.ski
Water dye mate
Looks like a Halfpipe reminds me of old school Tyrol basin summer jam in the 90s
The good ol days of Danny Kass and Co.
Honestly, I kinda of prefer the old “warm” lighting more than the new bright LED lights.
More Uphill Travel! skinning and skiing please! So many areas out west allow this, and the risk is minimal-especially compared to the (unmanaged) terrain park scene.
Love it! Thank you Matthew!
🙏🙏🙏
MORE OFF-PISTE SECTIONS.
Living in Michigan, I like to hear your insight on things like this. Thanks dude! On the topic of cool things that resorts do... this season, starting in early March, Boyne Mountain had $20 lift tickets for anyone with a 23-24 Michigan resort/Epic/Ikon season pass. And considering Boyne was open until April 20, that was a very cool thing for them to do!
YES, that was super cool! Especially after the tougher season that we had in the Midwest. 👏
There's no such thing as a bad ski hill. Anyone who wants to invest millions just so i can catch an adrenalin rush for a tiny fraction of the total cost is running a good ski hill imo. Good points in vid and in your comment. I'd love to see a 300' vertical hill devoted 100% to freestyle terrain:half pipes, kickers, rails and a boarder-X.
100% agree on no such thing as a bad ski area! Ohhhh, so, like a reopening of Raging Buffalo in IL?! Possibly a bit bigger? I dig the concept - it would prob need to be close to a metro, but if done correctly, it could work!
surprised we dont see more solar panel street lights
I wish there were more moguls.
Yes! Let more runs bump up. Bumps are super fun, a great challenge, and keep the crazies from carrying more speed than their skill can handle.
Agree-bigger ski areas that have a bit more space to dedicate to bumps really should. It will create better skiers and give people a challenge outside of just parks.
I love the pass holder idea.
What ever happen to T bar? I liked those.
Mt Ripleystill has theirs.
We still have a few floating around - in fact, Bottineau just put a new one in last year 😎
Rather than early - how about open late!! Not everyone is a morning lark and the race/ski school crew is who needs those early hours for setting up gear and starting those next generation beginners!! The value in being able to get off work at 8PM and still have two to three hours after the race teams and school groups head out or how many places shut their food service down by 8 or 9PM!!! Everyone's hungry/thirsty when they come off the hill!! And yes! Still love those areas that offer the "Affordable Option" AND the "Bar Food/Bouge/Sit Down Option"!!!! Just like $300 lift tickets, not everyone can afford $18 cheese curds yet is happy with the quintessential ski resort delicacy (IYKYK!) small bag cold soggy fries for $2 and $3 not a quarter pounder cheese/burger!!! That's my "If I could wave a magic fairy wand"... (Plus school kids having the $100 4 lift/beginner lesson/rental group nights to build the sport, but magic fairy wand, not miracle)...
Uh. I work afternoon shift. 9am starts are perfect.
Definitely agree with all. I would add copy Hyland and perfect your high speed rope which is at waist level at your park. Not having to reach down and dig a rope out of a trench is amazing. Also a small jump line in the park versus only jib would be such a plus for those who don't want to risk their skulls and bones on a feature but want a bit of lappable adrenaline.
Ah! Yes, high rope high is so nice - and I agree more transitional/jump/snow features for us old folks! 👴👴👴
I'd love to see...(wait for it)...more t-bar utilization (yes, I said it, & yes, I'm serious). Better than rope-tows; t-bars are far more cost effective than lift chairs, need less manpower to run, & can be used for more intermediate to advanced runs that help the non-casual skiers avoid lift line traffic. The slight skill required & the fact you still have to stand, limits the newbies & casual skiers desire to "T it up", they'd rather go sit down. For the resort: less install cost, less liability (insurance doesn't have to worry about people falling from them), less on-going labor, less traffic on busy quads = better profit margins. For skiers: can break up lift line waits, doesn't chew up you gloves like rope tows, can pull you up steeper terrain than rope tows, can lap your fav runs easier, & can keep your season pass or daily tix prices from continuing to rise to cover bigger chairs & increasing liability costs. If Breck can run one to the top of a peak, why in the world couldn't a midwest resort run one a couple hundred yards...just saying.
100% agree! Many resorts could dramatically improve slope access with a strategically placed T-bar (or 2). One of the best uses if to allow skiers to lap a mogul run, slalom course, or specific trail. T-bars are below the tree tops and therefore warmer than chair lifts on cold windy days. Added benefit, there is no complex and time consuming evacuation in the event of a breakdown or power loss. T-bars are amazing. Let's have more of 'em.
I'm all for surface lifts! There are a number of ski areas in the Midwest that could benefit from them, but unfortunately, they still aren't "cheap." Bottineau's was well over $500,000. Now, it was new and from Doppelmayr, but far from what I would consider a low-cost investment.
@@MidwestSkiers Fair point, Matthew, & I agree they are still far from a low-cost investment...but still think they're a less expensive alternative to chair lifts. Not only in their initial purchase cost, but over the years in on-going costs/expenses: less liftee/attendee costs, less spring & fall install/breakdown costs, & far less liability insurance (falls off these are great for utoob & Warren Miller vids, but aren't life threatening). Obviously I'm not a fan of getting rid of chairs; just saying the profit margins are tighter for midwest ski areas & instead of the area resorts always thinking they gotta put plush chairs in...mix in some t-bar action to move more bodies back up the hills & shorten them lines for less (long-term) costs. Cheers, buddy!
Problem with a t bar vs chair is the actual keep your skis on the hill throughout starts to get exhausting after a few runs. Much better to just sit and relax. More energy to ski that way
I love seeing the explosion of partner pass programs amongst some of the Midwest's mom and pop hills.
Always cool to see the small areas banding together to help create a stronger product!
If you are a follower of this channel, you should know we keep things positive here, so before posting, please keep the following in mind... (otherwise, we'll delete your comments) 1) Don't throw a specific ski area under the bus. There is no need for this - focus on the areas that are doing your concept/idea well. 2) Be realistic and constructive. Trust me; I would love to have $1 beers and $15 lift tickets every day, but... these areas still are businesses 3)Explain why. Ideas are excellent, but the reasoning behind them is even cooler! Please share with us why you think your idea/concept would be mutually beneficial for ski areas and skiers/riders.
shake and bake lol
Honestly, my local resort was so crowded last season but tis season nobody was there...I can relate
Great list, been to all but Hylands and agree with the list. Would’ve added honorable mentions for places like Cascade, Caberfae, Pine Mountain for local places with a lot to offer. And Granite Peak for their terrain and lift capacity for a Midwest area with some of the best snowmaking around.