Industry News
Vail Resorts’ Midwest region comprises nine great resorts spread across six states, entering the 2025-26 season with mountain upgrades and events. Going into the new season, these resorts will be bringing back some fan-favorite events, while also introducing some new and exciting ones.
The region might not get the most press or hype; however, the vibe and atmosphere at these resorts are undeniable. Midwest skiers and snowboarders are renowned for being tough, rugged, and die-hard enthusiasts of winter sports, and they don’t mistake a smaller mountain for less fun. These resorts might not be the largest, but they boast some serious terrain that is packed with good times. With the ski season in the Midwest getting ready to start, these resorts are primed for an epic year.
Midwest Region
Afton Alps – Minnesota
Afton Alps is nestled in the St. Croix River Valley and offers 300 skiable acres and 350 feet of elevation gain. It is not uncommon for Twin City locals to ride Afton’s 18 lifts for 135 days in a typical season. This offseason, the resort renovated its rental area to enhance guest traffic flow and overall accessibility. It also repaved two parking lots to elevate the arrival experience.
On Saturdays in January and February, Afton Alps will be offering: Valley S’mores, Après Live Music Series, and College Nights. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy discounted lift tickets and rentals, and save even more when bought online in advance. Epic Pass Holder First Tracks: Epic Pass holders get exclusive early access to Afton Alps, which will also offer Epic Pass Holders First Tracks on select days, with terrain open to pass holders from 8–9:00 a.m.
Ski with Santa will be held on December 20 at Afton Alps. Guests can hit the slopes with Santa and also spend some time with him in the base area. The Hot Dish Rail Jam will be held on February 6, where skiers and snowboarders can showcase their park skills in the LZ to compete for some awesome prizes. Spring Fling will take place on March 14, which is one of the biggest parties of the season.
Mt. Brighton – Michigan
Mt. Brighton is located in a metro area of nearly 5 million people and at an elevation of 230 feet. Its state-of-the-art snowmaking abilities and varied terrain enable Mt. Brighton to operate successfully even under some of the most unpredictable weather conditions in the country. Since 1960, the well-known resort has welcomed thousands of families, thrill-seekers, and park enthusiasts looking for a day on the slopes. Mt. Brighton is one of four large ski areas in the greater Detroit metro area, the others being Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, and Alpine Valley.
Mt. Brighton has upgraded its outdoor deck this offseason to create the ideal après-ski gathering spot. It has also installed a vibrant new mural in the Ski Hill Grill to enhance the dining atmosphere.
Returning winter events this season are the Duct Tape Derby on January 17. This is a fun event where big laughs are guaranteed. Contestants can start designing and building their vehicle or sled made of only reused cardboard, duct tape, and paint to race down the hill at Mt. Brighton. The event will also have music, giveaways, outdoor food and bar, and more.
The biggest event of the season at Brighton is its Slush Cup, which will take place on March 7. The resort is also expanding College Night to every Friday in January and February. The resort’s Sunday Funday is here this season, with S’mores meaning fun for the entire family.
Wilmot Mountain – Wisconsin
Wilmot Mountain Resort is approximately 65 miles from downtown Chicago and features 8 chairlifts and 23 runs. Wilmot tends to cater to beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. The resort has been around since 1938 and is considered one of the most successful ski resorts in the Midwest.
This winter, Wilmot will host its 3rd Annual Wilmot Pride and Ski Day on February 8. It is an LGBTQIA+ family-friendly ski experience with a fun day of activities. The resort’s Spring Fling is scheduled for March 8, featuring a day of fun, family-friendly activities with music, balloon animals, s’mores, a costume contest, slush cup competition, and more.
Throughout the season, Wilmot will host several other events, such as the Dew After Dark Après Music Series on January 3, 16, and 24, and February 7, 14, and 28. On select Saturday nights, the Main Lodge Bar will be filled with fun, après, and live music. Guests can stop by and enter to win some fun prizes, check out drink specials, and more. Every weekend this season, Wilmot is serving up Kringle, the official pastry of Wisconsin. This is the opportunity to indulge in a flaky Danish pastry between runs.
The ski resort will also have Themed Tubing Parties at Wilmot’s bubly Tube Park – 70’s Night, January 24, 80’s Night, February 7, Pass Holder Tubing Night, February 19, and 90’s Day, February 21, that will feature pop, dance, and tube it out to the hits of the 90s and 2000s.
Boston Mills Brandywine – Ohio
Boston Mills Brandywine are two ski resorts located outside of Cleveland and offer some of the best skiing in Ohio. With 16 lifts, 18 runs, and 300 feet of vertical elevation, Boston Mills and Brandywine cater to all skill levels. The run, Tiger, is the steepest slope in the state, and the terrain parks have everything from beginner to advanced features.
This offseason, Boston Mills installed new snowmaking machines in the North Bowl and Peter’s Pride to ensure consistent snow coverage and extended winter fun all season long. Brandywine completed the conveyor deck replacement at the Polar Blast Tubing Park, designed to enhance the overall guest experience and operational efficiency.
Boston Mills will also offer the Epic Pass Holder First Tracks on January 24 from 8–9:00 a.m. and include a free pancake breakfast, giveaways, and more.
Sticks n Tricks will be held on February 7, a free-to-enter Rail Jam at Boston Mills. This is the event where skiers and snowboarders will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and get the crowd pumped. There will be great prizes, music, and free Bosco Sticks, Mtn Dew, and more.
Retro Day will take place on February 14, and guests will receive free 2000s holographic stickers, with DJ Kyro spinning throwback tunes from the deck. S’mores in the Valley will take place on February 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Boston Mills will provide the S’mores kit, marshmallow roasting stick, pit, and guests can relax on the all-new seating on the deck.
Hit the slopes after sundown as Brandywine’s signature Late Nights return with skiing and riding until midnight for the best value in town. Late Night at Brandywine will be held on January 31 and February 28, from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, with lift tickets costing $29 and rentals just $12.
The Boston Mills Winter Carnival will be held on March 7 and is the resort’s most anticipated event of the year. The Winter Carnival, at Boston Mills, features a full day of events. Those typically include: the Pond Skim, Mini-Slopestyle, Kids Race, Hot Ones Challenge, and a Costume Contest. Guests can choose to participate in as many of them as they’d like or cheer on the participants from the sidelines.
Alpine Valley – Ohio
This Ohio ski resort might not be the biggest, but it makes up for it with that great small-town mountain charm. Alpine Valley is located in the heart of Ohio’s Snowbelt and features excellent first-time and beginner terrain
This season, Epic Pass holders will receive a complimentary pancake breakfast with coffee and hot chocolate on January 24. Less than a week later, the chocolate theme continues with Alpine Valley’s Hot Chocolate Bar on January 31. Guests will be treated to a free hot chocolate bar that day.
Slope Saver Days at Alpine Valley is a special promotion featuring $29 Lift Tickets and $12 Rentals. It is available from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. It is strongly recommended to secure a space and rentals in advance, as the promotion is expected to sell out. Slope saver days are not restricted and are available to everyone. The event, Party at the Pine, will be on February 21. Guests can celebrate the final few weeks of the season, which typically features: a base area DJ, free s’more roasting, retail discounts, a skiing/riding limbo contest, an ollie contest, and as the sun begins to set, the resort will be celebrating Dew After Dark with complimentary glow items.
Mad River Mountain – Ohio
Mad River Mountain is Ohio’s largest resort offering 144 skiable acres, 1,460 feet of elevation, and a 300-foot vertical drop, all of which are ranked number one in the Buckeye State. Most of the terrain is beginner (46%) or intermediate (38%), making this a great area for learning. A tubing course gives alternate winter options for fun, and Buckeye S’mores are free to guests on Sundays.
Mad River Mountain installed a new haul rope on the 4 Star Express lift this offseason, ensuring smoother operation for guests. It also enhanced its grooming fleet by adding a Pisten Bully Park Pro 400 to maintain optimal snow conditions.
The season, the mountain will offer signature Weekly Midnight Madness on Fridays in January and February. Mad River Mountain will be open on these nights until midnight, featuring $29 lift ticket specials, $12 rental package specials, and live music in The Loft on select days.
When in Ohio, you have to check out the Weekly Buckeye S’mores on Sundays in January and February at Mad River Mountain. Guests can gather on the patio area, where the resort will be offering free Buckeye S’mores kits. Enjoy our new fire pits and seating with a great view of the slopes from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. every Sunday. The resort will also offer its Absolutely Free Hot Chocolate Bar on February 15. Mad River Mountain will have more details in the future on the return of The Loft Music Series, Rail Jam, and Family Fest as well.
Paoli Peaks – Indiana
Paoli Peaks is north of the Hoosier National Forest in Southern Indiana. It has an elevation of 900 feet, with a vertical drop of 300 feet. The resort has 17 ski runs, five chairlifts, and three surface lifts. The resort’s season typically runs from late December to late February/early March.
Winter Event Highlights include Nature Valley Sunday S’mores every Sunday from 1-2:00 p.m. The resort’s Dew After Dark College Nights offer $29 Lift Tickets and $12 Rentals when students show their College ID. Paoli Peak’s Spring Carnival will be on February 28 and will feature a Costume Contest, a Slosh Pit, and a Snow Sculpting Contest. Plus, ot also have live music and a local winery on site.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort – Missouri
Hidden Valley lies nearly 30 miles outside of St. Louis and is one of the two ski resorts in the state of Missouri. The hill opened in 1982 and is home to 17 trails, two terrain parks, and two peaks. Hidden Valley installed a new magic carpet in the training and lesson area to improve accessibility and enhance the beginner experience this offseason. It also added a Pisten Bully Park Pro to its grooming fleet to enhance slope quality and grooming precision.
This season, Hidden Valley will feature its Snow Tunes Music Series: A Jam Out with its patio DJ during your après. Take a break from the slopes with snow tunes on the patio from January 3, 17, and 31, and February 14 and 28. Hidden Valley will also have Sunday S’mores with Nature Valley, College Nights: College Ski Deals every Wednesday night in January and February, and Epic Pass Holder First Tracks on January 11 and 31, just like the other Vail Resorts.
Midnight Madness will take place on January 9 and February 13: Dew After Dark brings the action with a nighttime rail Jam, DJ, glow sticks, and more. Mountain Mardi Gras will take place on February 7, with music from 2:00-5:00 p.m., featuring a costume contest, giveaways, and more. The resort’s Spring Fling is scheduled for February 22 and will have music, Pond Skim, Rail Jam, giveaways, raffles, a photo wall, and a day of fun on the slopes.
Snow Creek – Missouri
Located just 40 minutes Northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, sits the state’s second ski area, Snow Creek. This is where so many flatlanders learn to ski or ride, and the resort plays a vital role, allowing people to enjoy winter sports in areas of the country where someone would not think skiing is possible. Snow Creek opened in 1986 and was owned and operated by Peak Resorts until 2019, when Vail Resorts purchased the ski area. It has a vertical of 300 feet, 25 skiable acres, 12 trails, 5 lifts, and 2 terrain parks. The resort upgraded its snowmaking pipe system in the Gunslinger Progression Park to support more efficient snowmaking and reliable coverage tailored to terrain park features this offseason.
This season, Midnight Madness returns in January and February. This event will allow skiers and snowboarders the ability to shred under the stars until midnight and enjoy a DJ to keep the party going. Glow Items will be given out to light up the hill, Local Night specials, complimentary Mtn Dew, and more will also be offered.
This season will feature a new Terrain Park Jam on January 25 and February 22. This jam in the park is a teach-and-learn event followed by a competition to see who is the Ruler of the Bluff. The Duct Tape Derby will be on February 7, offering participants the chance to race down the hill at Snow Creek.
Spring Fling is the biggest party of the spring season and will be on March 1. It will feature a Pond Skim competition, Kids’ Treasure Dig, music, s’mores, and more. Guests can enjoy all season long: Campfire Café–S’mores, local ski deals every Tuesday night in January. and February after 4:00 p.m. and select event nights. Skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes with $29 lift tickets plus rental deals. The resort will also have college ski deals on Wednesday nights in January and February, featuring $29 lift tickets and rental deals.
From the glowing lights of late-night sessions at Brandywine to the free Kringle handouts at Wilmot, these Midwest playgrounds prove they can deliver massive winter stoke. This season’s upgrades, including new haul ropes, enhanced snowmaking capabilities, and grooming machines, will make the slopes even better than last. These Midwest ski resorts have packed the upcoming season with great après ski events and family activities designed for everyone to enjoy. The lifts are spinning at some resorts already; it won’t be long until skiers and snowboarders can be snacking on a Buckeye S’mores in one hand and a midnight lift ticket in the other. See you on the slopes.
