Marquette County Fair

09/26/05

The birthplace of organized skiing in the United States, this mountain is one of the Midwest's most challenging ski areas.

by Contributor

The Scene
Organized skiing in the United States began in the low-lying hills surrounding Marquette. There are miles of Nordic and snowmobile trails in the surrounding Huron Mountains, and the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame is in nearby Ishpeming. The region receives more than 200 inches of lake-effect snow annually.

The Slopes
Making the most of its 600 vertical feet, Marquette caters to all ability levels. Rocket, a fall-line run whose upper portion resembles a frozen waterfall, is a bona-fide attraction for advanced skiers who like it steep. Snowfield is just one of the area's high-speed cruisers that offers nice open-slope skiing with occasional drops and rolls. Beginners have the longest run of all: mile-long Weasel Gulch, which slithers its way down the west side of the mountain. Even mogul and tree skiers can get in the mix on the narrow chutes of Exhibition and Supreme.

Vital Stats
Vertical drop: 600 feet
Lifts: 3 double
Skiable acres: 147
Beginner terrain: 15 percent
Intermediate terrain: 50 percent
Advanced terrain: 35 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities