Ski Brule

Situated north of the Wisconsin border, Michigan's Ski Brule resort offers plenty of ways to enjoy outdoor winter fun for the whole family. Its dedicated and experienced staff excel at grooming and snowmaking, allowing the ski area to remain open after other venues in the state have closed.

Motorists will find US Route 2 running north of the resort, through the town of Iron River. Michigan State Highway 189 will take drivers south towards the road access for the ski area. Those planning to fly will find that the closest International facility is Sawyer International airport, northeast of the resort in Gwinn, Michigan.

Experience Counts in the Snow

The Ski Brule winter venue can experience lake-effect snow coming off of Lake Superior, which produces some dumps across the terrain here. That makes for an average annual snowfall of around 150 inches. The resort is known for its long ski seasons, thanks in part to the equipment and staff. Expert grooming and 100-percent snowmaking capabilities provide ideal conditions, even when mother nature is being stingy.

Each year, the staff at the ski venue shoot for a six-month ski season. Even if the season falls short, it is rare to find a ski area in the midwest open deeper into April than Ski Brule.

Lodging options are available at the resort and in the surrounding communities, including condos, lodges, and rentals. Dining options are found on-mountain at the saloon or the Homestead lodge. Eateries near the ski area offer typical Americana, as well as shopping. A gift shop and rental center are located on-site for those things that guests either do not have or might have forgotten.

The Ski Brule winter venue offers lessons for first-time skiers and riders of any age. Old dogs are taught new tricks as well, improving their enjoyment of the pow.

Lots Brewing on the Slopes

With a base at 1,360 feet and a summit elevation of 1,860 feet, the Ski Brule resort offers guests a 500-foot vertical drop to work on as they carve down the trails. Visitors will find that the terrain divides equally between skill levels, meaning everyone has plenty of runs to play down.

There are 150 acres of skiable terrain at Ski Brule. Those divide into 17 trails, two terrain trails (Timberdoodle and Double Doodle), and three terrain parks (Bambi Rail, Rapids, and Snowshoe). Homestead and Maple Syrup are the longest trails here, both around one mile each.

The terrain ratings at Ski Brule offer lots of beginning surfaces to explore (35-percent rated as green), with 35-percent rated blue for intermediates. The remainder breaks down into a 24-percent black diamond rating (advanced) and six-percent double diamond (expert). Two snow tubing parks provide fun outside of skiing, as do the miles of fat tire biking trails.

The Ski Brule also offers snowshoeing and cross country trails for those looking for something besides alpine exploration. 11 lifts service the venue, including five chairlifts, three rope tows, two t-bars, and a paddle tow.