Devils Head Resort

09/26/06

With extensive snowmaking equipment and close proximity to Madison, this is one of the best skiing options in southern Wisconsin.

by Contributor

The Scene
This ski and snowboard area 45 minutes north of Madison is a treasure to many Great Lakes skiers and snowboarders. The terrain is not as consistently steep as nearby Cascade Mountain, nor, with its southern aspect, does the snow stick around as long. But runs here on average are a little longer, and make more scenic detours on their way to the bottom.

The Slopes
More than 350 snowmaking machines go to work on below-freezing nights to blanket the hill with a fresh coat by morning. An army of grooming machines gets an early start on packing that snow into soft corduroy--except on big powder days (they happen, occasionally), when it's up to giddy skiers to pad out the hill. Snowboarders can cruise with the rest, or get their kicks in the terrain park and half-pipe, buffed to perfection with a Pipe Dragon grooming machine.

Vital Stats
Vertical drop: 500 feet
Base elevation: 850 feet
Top elevation: 1,385 feet
Lifts: 14
Skiable acres: 250
Beginner terrain: 30 percent
Intermediate terrain: 40 percent
Advanced terrain: 30 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities