At Sundown Mountain, we have something for everyone; whether you are an experienced winter enthusiast or just learning how to get down the hill, Sundown Mountain offers plenty of snowy fun and an unforgettable Midwest winter experience. How Is Climate Change Impacting The Water Cycle. Clearly this place understands how to strike a fine balance between adventure and leisure. If it helps, I'm from the nort. Then it was straight on to the bunny hill where we practised how to turn. Sundown Mountain (Dubuque) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. 16991 Asbury Rd. You don't need to be a skier to find this a place worth visiting. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. i have never been skiing and they took us step by step of what to do and how to do it. The intermittent smell of manure blowing in the wind didn't make it any better either. Here's a list of all the other things I could think off, even if they are stereotypes. Maybe someday. She often seeks out wine bars, coffee roasters, cheesemongers' shops, art museums, antiques and vintage stores, yarn shops, and sprawling parks when she travels. Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, Iowa is one of the best Midwest ski resorts and the premier destination to take your family skiing and snowboarding this winter! Ski resorts in the tri-state area are looking at reopening after they closed last week because of high temperatures. An easy 45-minute drive north of Madison, Cascade Mountain celebrated its 60th anniversary in early 2022 and continues to be family-owned, now on its third generation. Will likely get a season pass next year. When you think of ski resorts, they are often associated with being expensive, especially when it comes to lift passes! Copyright 2021 KCRG. DUBUQUE, Iowa (KWQC) - Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque is now open for the winter ski season. Everything was nice and modern and not outdated which is easy to hide sometimes in online pictures. And they have a lot of openings. I have never snow skied, but you do make it look like fun. With destinations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and more, these are 10 of the best ski resorts in the Midwest. What restaurants are near Sundown Mountain? Though the hill is nothing compared to Colorado or resorts in California (Squaw) friendly staff make this place a must visit while in the midwest. Address: 8700 West Chestnut Road, Galena, Illinois 61036 Rates shown below are averages. Sundown Mountain Resort. Boyne Falls, MichiganDistance from Chicago: 358 miles; 5.5-hour driveStretching across a massive 415 skiable acres near the northern tip of Michigan, the Midwests most famous ski resort is tough to beat. Whether you are an advanced, intermediate or beginner skier or boarder we have terrain to suit your needs and ability level. Ive had more experienced riders give me good tips, nearly every time I go there. Very accomodating and friendly a wonderful experience for my family and friends. Its kinda crazy, back in 2008 I failed miserably at water skiing so became a wake boarder, I automatically assumed that because I could wake board Id be able to snowboarddefinitely got that wrong. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities for all seasons, like ski and snowboarding. Youd be surprised what happens each time you go again! The terrain in the country is mainly coastal lowlands and reclaimed polders with some hills in the southern parts of the country. The Quill supports a rich collection of flora and fauna including elephant ears, breadfruit, raspberries, orchids, tree ferns, trumpet wood, Caribbean hermit crabs, iguanas, butterflies, anoles, and snakes. . Sundown Mountain Resort Dubuque has 21 ski runs (green, blue and black diamond) and 2 terrain parks. The mountain has mostly primary and secondary rainforests on its slopes, cloud forests, mosses and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The Mountain Center has benches with space underneath them to store shoes. Besides the equipment being great, the lessons are an hour and a half long which is longer than most places, including Chestnut. Weekends are very important to us, he added. A fun Olympic tie-in is that Putzi Frandl, a former alpine ski racer from Austria, once worked here as an instructor after competing in the 1956 and 1960 Winter Olympics. They do a good job grooming when it gets sloppy out and keep the snow well maintained. The package will run until March 1, 2020 weather dependent and is only good for inn and courtyard rooms. Food & beverage was very good and reasonably priced. One thing that surprised me the most when I moved to Iowa, was that there was actually a ski resort! Mount Bohemia Ski Resort, Mohawk, Michigan, Chestnut Mountain Resort, Galena, Illinois, Perfect North Slopes, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Giants Ridge Recreation Area, Biwabik, Minnesota, 10 Mountains You've Never Heard of but Need to Ski This Winter. Best you'll get in Iowa. We had chosen it because it was one of the closest resorts to our home in Arkansas. Additionally, they have a fully lit resort meaning night skiing is an option for those that are up for it! I visited a second time and attempted to go down Sunbowl a couple of times, but I was miserable. You learn something new all the time. Overall, Sundown Mountain was an awesome discovery and a fantastic ski resort for beginners (and probably even advanced skiers, as we saw many on the more advanced hills flying by and doing tricks) families, groups of friends, or really just anyone looking to have an amazing time. Actually, it wasn't that cold outside, not like when you are skiing with several layers of protective gear on. These mountains are mainly of volcanic origin formed during various periods. As mentioned above, Sundown Mountain is on the edge of Dubuque, however there is a whole range of things to do and see in the Downtown area. When youre ready to hit the hay, take advantage of the resort's luxe lodging options which span condos, traditional hotel rooms, cottages, and entire homes for rent. The mountain supports a wide variety of flora and fauna including cacti, iguanas, lizards, the white tailed deer, and a wide variety of bird species. On the Mountain . Accident number 2 = I brought the bunny hill chair lift to a standstill after I managed to get my skis tangled up with my instructors! When it doesnt snow, the resort is maintained by 150 snow guns (believe me, its cold enough for the snow not to melt once it is there!) Menu. Mount Scenery is on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, which is now part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after the . Planning a Sundown Mountain ski trip or just heading up for the day? Another "pro" is if you are a season pass holder to Sundown you can get free skiing/boarding at Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho. My kids liked it better than chestnut. The Highlands Springs Resort offers Michigans longest ski run, 10 lifts, 53 groomed runs, and, for the more advanced shredders in the group, four terrain parks. Their Friday night ski special is what drew me in; how can you beat $54 for skiing 4pm-midnight including lift ticket and equipment rental??? Since we've been going there forever, we never thought to look into other alternatives. When it comes to learning to snowboard the . . Im now an online ESL tutor, a job where I can technically work from anywhere in the world! Hill is always well groomed considering the weather conditions make it tough. 2 and a half hours was probably just about my limit as a new skier. I should also mention that Chestnut mountain is a bigger and more spread out resort because it has onsite lodging, whereas Sundown Mountain does not offer lodging which did not matter to us since we have never utilized the lodging at Chestnut as it's a bit outdated. It has given us a little time to try to get some of the seasonal employees from downtown Galena that they would be losing their jobs now, you know, to at least get them on board, but we are hoping that we can maybe get some more college kids here in the next couple of weeks and help us get through our busy Christmas week.. Main lodge was very nice, large with tall ceilings, and I liked that you purchase tickets and get equipment in the same lodge, unlike at Chestnut. I went with my 13 yo son (we are both novices) on Sunday. 19 trails are in two parks Far Side Terrain Park (with a quarter pipe and two half pipes) and Chestnut (with a 475-foot vertical drop). You must sign TWO (2) liability forms WIJARA & Iowa for. If youre a newbie and dont think youll get off the bunny hill, its actually cheaper to get just a pass for the beginners area. They have a few terrain parks, naturally, but how many resorts do you know that also house a full-on tubing park? There's also a full bar area around the corner from the food concessions where there happened to be live music the day we were there. Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center, View all hotels near Sundown Mountain on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Sundown Mountain on Tripadvisor, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Dubuque, Hotels near National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Hotels near Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Hotels near Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Hotels near Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Hotels near Dubuque Municipal Airport (DBQ), Motels near Dubuque Municipal Airport (DBQ), Hotels near Wartburg Theological Seminary, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Dubuque, The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum, Lahaina: Turtle Town Snorkel and Whale Watch (Dec-April Time Permitting), Evening Food Tour with Girl Power Riders in Ho Chi Minh City | Kiss Tours, Mt. The Travel & Leisure article highlights the resort's 85-acre 21 ski runs, lodges, and warming stations as reasons for placing it in the Top Ten. The teachers were very heplful to us new comers. Since we were not wearing skis or gear on the mountain, a particularly outgoing instructor asked us if we were trying to find our children and offered to help us. We may not have the same dizzying, ear-popping altitudes as Utahs Snowbird or Colorados Vail, but us Midwesterners still have plenty of ski-worthy slopes at our fingertips. Non-Competitive Team - $350.00 This level includes all training sessions. Don't be too surprised to see an eagle or two either. Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions Page, Total Vertical Drop of 475 feet, with Runs Carved Among Picturesque Cedar Trees, 21 Scenic Trails with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Runs, 2 Terrain Parks with Progressive Features, 2 Mountain Top Lodges Overlooking 100 Square Miles of Countryside, Kids Park Facility for Children Ages 3-11, Ski and Snowboard Lessons for All Ages and Abilities, Sundown Parks Video & Photo Contest 2023. I can't believe she made it beyond the 1st bunny hill onto the second beginner area that let's you ride the ski lift up even as a beginner! Now my husband and I take our own daughter (12 yrs old) skiing there every winter as well. Netherlands is a country in Western Europe that is slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey, covering an area of 41,543 square kilometers and bordering only two countries, Germany and Belgium. Lots and lots of ice. Some of these mountains are home to a rich biodiversity of plants and animals unique to the climates in the country. that include Tips Up Food & Spirits (with two fireplaces and bowls of hot chili), Mollys Mountaintop Coffee (in lieu of making smores, order the smores latte) and The Barn (ski-in only, with a firepit). Youll also find a tubing hill with its own ski lift. Across the bridge in Galena, Illinois, staff at Chestnut Mountain Resort are also in deep producing snow. Over in Galena the Chestnut Mountain Resort is also opening up its slopes to the public on . Trail Map. 16991 Asbury Rd. Im inspired! Visit our overview page for more about Sundown Mountain ski resort. An 800-foot-long snow-tubing chute is a wintry riff on waterslides at the nearby Water Park Capital of the World, Wisconsin Dells. View live ski conditions, snow totals and weather from the slopes right now with Sundown Mountain webcams. WIJARA fees are $32 per racer and must be paid online to complete your registration. Hope to see you back soon :). (563) 556-6676 Chestnut's over 220 rolling acres and 475-foot vertical drop are home to 19 ski trails and a 7-acre terrain park, The Farside, featuring over 25 rails and structures. But it does provide for some nice practice runs about as close to home as you can get. Sundown Mountain | Mount Crescent | Seven Oaks, 16991 Asbury Rd,Dubuque, IA 52002 Tel:563-556-6676, Opening Date: Usually around Thanksgiving week. Thankfully he didnt get hurtand then continued to mock me for the rest of my lesson while he whizzed by asking if I wanted his help to go faster. There happened to be a group starting a lesson near us as well as small clusters all around the beginner area and I knew right away I wanted my daughter to have a lesson there just by listening to how enthusiastic all of the instructors were. The mountain supports activities such as hiking, scrambling and mountaineering which are viable all year round. Parking was much easier than at Chestnut which is not impossible, it just can be difficult with how busy it is there. As Jim our savior came to help us, he was an aid for the park. Mount Scenery is on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, which is now part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved. We went Fri-Sun so we figured we'd check it out Fri evening and if it was dingy we could still have all of Saturday to ski at Chestnut Mountain. The Chestnut Mountain Resor t is among the best Illinois ski areas for people of all ages. Sundown Mountain is located on the edge of Dubuque, about 20 minutes from the Downtown District. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Also, like skiing the category of snowboarding you choose will all depend on your skill level. Chestnut Mountain has 19 ski slopes and 2 terrain parks. Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Sundown Mountain that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. Sundown Parks Video & Photo Contest 2023. OK, so Sundown Mountain is not quite in the mountains, its actually in a valley and there arent a million runs. Once a bib number is issued, SRT will submit final roster info & bib numbers will be noted for the season. I might be stuck on the green slope still but Id be up for that haha . Just across the border in Illinois, youll also find Chestnut Mountain Resort, which is 35 minutes closer to Chicago! I think part of my problem was that I was over thinking what I had to do too much right leg does this, left leg does thatI just couldnt seem to put the two techniques together. It's not Colorado, but the chair lift was fast and there were few lines. Mad River Loft Bar & Grill is joined by a quick-serve cafeteria for high-altitude dining. All rights reserved. Chestnut Mountain perches high on a ridge overlooking the Mississippi River near the historic riverport of Galena. Blessed with snowfall and cool wintry weather, the Midwest is ripe for skiing, whether your vice is zipping downhill or coasting along Nordic-style. Near the Kentucky and Ohio borders in southeastern Indiana, this resort features 23 trails across three parks that are a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Chestnut Ski Resort Galena, IL Boasting an impressive array of amenities, accommodations, comforts and activities, Chestnut Mountain is the choice Illinois travel destination. Short lift lines which means you'll get a lot of skiing in. Go there every year for Boy scouts, if the weather is great (cold) than the place is great skiing. Visit Sundown Mountain and celebrate our 50TH SEASON of winter this year! If you are required to enter a bib number to proceed with registration, just enter 599 or if allowed, leave the field blank. (563) 556-6676 Skiing is not for me, but at least I gave it a go! Saddle up, cowboy. So it is a lot of fun.. Another side effect of the plentiful beginners was frequent stoppage of an already very long lift ride. All of their other weekend prices beat Chestnut as well, especially if you stay in the beginner area at Sundown and only pay $20 for that lift ticket. Sundown is a true Midwest ski resort destination offering great snow and an unforgettable winter experience. Nestled along Michigans U.P. Thanks Connie! The package is not available to be booked on Martin Luther King Weekend (1-17-20 - 1-20-20) and Presidents Weekend (2-14-20 - 2-17-20). 1086 222nd Drive,Boone, IA 50036 Tel:515-432-9457. At the 175-acre park are four terrain areas that add up to 47 runs. Im quite lucky that with my day job I get Fridays off work. Great Midwest skiing for beginners & advanced. Hidden Gem & Great Alternative to Chestnut Mountain, Especially for Beginners! They have the typical mid west terrain parks, and they do try to setup 1 short mogul run. It has an indoor swimming pool too. Come for the day or kick back at the Mackenzie Lodge, conveniently stashed just below all the trails, where an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and roaring fire pits offer many opportunities to get warm. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Beautifully carved through 85 acres of scenic cedar trees with state-of-the-art snowmaking, Sundown Mountain Resort is one of the best Midwest ski resort destinations and the only Midwest ski resort granted the NSAA Award of Excellence. What Is A Lawful Permanent Resident In The USA? They certainly wont blow you away, but they wont totally bore you either. Just eight miles from Galena with its many shops, restaurants, and historic sites. I ended up paying 4 times the price for an all area lift pass that I didnt even use as this is what was automatically given to me, despite the fact I had bought a 1 hour first timer ski lesson. NOW BOOKING Weddings, Reunions, Graduation Parties, and MORE! We went to Sundown Mountain a few days after Christmas. The Sunset Grille restaurant serves up fine dining favorites and The Summit Food & Spirits offers the area's finest contemporary cuisine with a modern flair. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Thanks! Dubuque, IowaDistance from Chicago: 188 miles; 3.5-hour driveAs the name suggests, Sundown Mountain Resort lets you glide down their cedar-lined slopes far past bedtime. An adult weekday unlimited lift pass at Sundown Mountain Resort is $38 ($46 at weekends), ski and snowboard rentals are $32 for a day, making it an affordable option compared to some of the bigger resorts. At Sundown, there's more than one ski lift and I found that to be a wonderful perk for beginners that wouldn't be an option at Chestnut. Bessemer, MichiganDistance from Chicago: 408 miles; 6-hour driveWith 253 skiable acres featuring one of the largest vertical drops in the Midwest, Big Powderhorn is a classic Upper Peninsula getaway offering a wide variety of terrain across 45 trails and three terrain parks. Related: These Are the 10 Coolest Ski Destinations in America Right Now Plus Tips for the Perfect Trip. The snow is almost always well groomed. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, feel free to contact me! Offers may be subject to change without notice. I decided to stuff all my belongings into my pockets and leave anything else in the car (possibly the only good thing about a cold sportyou have plenty of clothes on with space to store things!). The mountain is home to some animals such as lizards, iguanas, and some birds. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Dubuque, the Hotel Julien is a 20 minute drive from Sundown Mountain, located in the Downtown District. Must be 21 to make reservation. Chestnuts location in Galena (one of ourtop Midwest winter vacation spots) perched high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River provides a unique environment from which to survey your surroundings before tackling the resorts 19 runs, three terrain parks, 10 lifts, and an impressive-by-Midwestern-standards 475-foot vertical drop. Perched near the banks overlooking the Mississippi River, the 220-acre Chestnut Mountain Resort boasts a 100-room hotel with an indoor pool and surf-and-turf fare at The Summit Food & Spirits. Would recommend it if you are looking for a nice inexpensive ski resort that isn't overly crowded. So if staying close to the ski resort is important to you, Chestnut Mountain could be a good option! It was my friend and I first time, we rode the bunny hills for most of the morning/afternoon. Stop to eat at Fried Green Tomatoes! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Snow Report. Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, Iowa is one of the best Midwest ski resorts and the premier destination to take your family skiing and snowboarding this winter! During ski season the lodge is warm and offers a great variety of quick food for lunch. As weather cools down, ski resorts in the tri-state area look forward to reopening this week, Both Sundown and Chestnut Mountain resorts have been closed as of last week because of high temperatures. Did you know that you could go skiing in Iowa!? With 53 runs scattered across 248 skiable acres with nine lifts and a 427-foot vertical drop, its nestled in one of the most picturesque parts of northern Michigan, just 30 minutes south of the launch point to lakefront oasisMackinac Island. Nineteen ski and snowboard trails cut through solid rock bluffs range up to 3,500 feet in length and are geared to all levels. For starters I think you can roughly devide the north and the south by religion. This year however, we discovered the hidden gem that is Sundown Mountain in Dubuque, IA! We had previously stayed at Eagle Ridge in Galena yearly to be close to the ski resort but a few years ago on an extended trip, we ventured into neighboring Dubuque, IA (less than a 30 min drive from Galena) and fell in love with the charming & historical Hotel Julien, where we now stay for ski weekends. 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