Snowriver Mountain Resort

We'd never been here before, but we're definitely planning to return. The new high-speed six-pack chair was a highlight, and there was loads of terrain. We caught a bluebird spring skiing day with a couple inches of fresh snow. The room was clean and nice, nothing fancy, and the price was right. The big hot tub was a bonus. I hadn't realized the resort was so close to the Minneapolis area. We stayed three nights and had one of our best spring ski days.

The T-Bar is great too. It seems to scare some people off, so you can get fresh laps on some really good terrain. This is my favorite ski spot in the Midwest, and I hope they keep making improvements. That new high-speed lift is hard to overstate. Skiing in the Midwest often means those ancient double chairs that make the ride up feel endless, and the UP is usually cold enough already. This comfy six-seat lift gets you to the top in three minutes, so you can spend more time skiing and get plenty of fresh-snow laps.

My wife and I spent three nights at the lodge at Jackson Creek summit after finding a midweek room-and-lift-ticket deal. She went snowshoeing while I skied, and we both had a good time. The mountain was well maintained, and the crew were friendly and helpful. The six-seat express lift gets you back to the top quickly. We appreciated what the place offers, including the mountain, bar and restaurant, sauna, hot tub, and pool. For the price, the whole stay felt worth it. We’re looking forward to more time in the area.

The condos have plenty of amenities, including a pool, sauna, and large hot tub. I've stayed in the older ones a few times. They're handy for larger groups, though some of the lodging feels quite dated. Other places are much newer.