Is your little one ready to hit the slopes? With skiing suitable for confident children and snowboarding for children aged approximately 6 to 7, these resorts near Milwaukee offer the perfect snow playground for your family.
Check out these fantastic ski and snowboard destinations:
- Alpine Valley Resort (W2501 County Road D, Elkhorn) – Featuring one of the largest beginner areas in the Midwest and a modern 400-meter scenic trail, Snowdrift.
- Little Switzerland (105 Cedar Creek Rd., Slinger) – Historic ski hill offering 18 trails, 3 terrain parks and full snowmaking.
- Sunburst Winter Sports Park (8355 Prospect Dr., Kewaskum) – Enjoy two terrain parks and the world’s largest tubing park.
- Mountaintop in Grand Geneva (7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva) – Offers 18 slopes, cross-country skiing and night skiing/snowboarding.
- Snowpark Rock (7900B W Crystal Ridge Rd., Franklin) – Closest to Milwaukee, offering skiing, snowboarding and fluorescent lighting.
- Mount Wilmot (11931 Fox River Rd., Wilmot) – A modern resort experience with advanced snowmaking capabilities.
Dive into each location’s unique offerings, including site details, facilities and special events:
Alpine Valley Resort
W2501 County Road D, Elkhorn, WI 53121
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Alpine Valley, located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, offers skiing and snowboarding in one of the largest beginner areas in the Midwest.
For the 2021 seasons, they have added a modern 400-meter trail called Snowdrift. This is a picturesque route perfect for the whole family.
Little Switzerland
105 Cedar Creek Rd., Slinger, WI 53086
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Established in 1941, Little Switz is one of the oldest ski hills in Wisconsin. With 200 feet of skiing, 18 trails, and 3 terrain parks, there’s something for everyone.
Beginners can start at a designated area with a conveyor belt and handle, progressing to routes such as Easy Cheesy.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders have a wide selection of blue slopes at their disposal, located mainly in the back part of the slope, which can be reached by chairlift 4.
Advanced enthusiasts can tackle Black Diamond runs such as Big Deal and Shorty’s, with caution advised in tardy zones.
Park enthusiasts can enjoy Switz 41 Park with huge facilities, Expedition Supply Park with medium-sized facilities, and Progression Park for beginners.
In addition, the resort boasts 100% snowmaking capacity, which guarantees snow retention throughout the season.
Sunburst Winter Sports Park
8355 Prospect Dr., Kewaskum, WI 53040
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You’ll find two terrain parks for skiing and snowboarding, as well as the world’s largest tubing park at Sunburst in Kewaskum.
Reader reviews:
“At Sunburst, there are ropes that you can use to connect two or even more pipes. So one parent and one or two children could ride together. Little children were coming down. My 9-year-old was very nervous but had to love it.” -Instagram follower, 2023.
“I noticed that Sunburst doesn’t allow kids to cum with their parent in the tube.” – Instagram followers, 2023.
Mountaintop in Grand Geneva
7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
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Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, located in the picturesque surroundings of Lake Geneva, is known as one of the premier ski resorts in southern Wisconsin.
Just an hour from Milwaukee and Chicago, this resort offers 20 runs and a variety of terrain to suit all ages and skill levels. The proximity to these cities makes it a convenient yet adventurous getaway for families.
Equipped with advanced snowmaking capabilities, The Mountain Top provides consistent ski conditions throughout the season, regardless of natural snowfall.
The resort offers a variety of amenities, including ski and snowboard rentals, trolley service from nearby facilities, three chairlifts, two carpet lifts, and a six-acre terrain park.
Additionally, guests can enjoy night skiing and other winter activities such as ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top Lodge provides a wide selection of food and drinks, which enhances the overall experience. The “Learn to Ride” center is intended for people who do not have ski equipment.
Snowpark Rock
7900B W Crystal Ridge Rd., Franklin, Wisconsin
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Rock Snowpark is a playground for winter enthusiasts, located just a miniature drive from downtown Milwaukee. Offering a variety of trails to suit every level of skier and snowboarder, The Rock offers a combination of challenge and fun.
For beginners, the resort offers the convenience of a beginner’s conveyor 1 and a dedicated beginner’s area.
Intermediate skiers can enjoy blue runs such as Ridge Runner and Pebble Park, while advanced adventurers can tackle the steeper slopes of The Drop and Whitnall Way.
Snow tubing enthusiasts have not been forgotten, and dedicated conveyor belts ensure endless fun without having to backtrack.
Progression Snow Park is intended for those who want to improve their skills by combining the functions of an off-road park.
Services such as ticketing, first aid, toilets and food are conveniently located close to the Main Lodge.
If you’re looking for a twist on customary snow tubes, check out their glow tubes on select Saturday nights!
Reader reviews:
“Ducks at Rock are great for all ages! My son did this when he was 2 and everything was fine. – Instagram followers, 2023.
“The slope of The Rock is much less steep because Sunburst has a much greater slope and descent length, making it much faster at times. I speak from experience having worked in both locations.” – Instagram followers, 2023.
“We went to The Rock in January with my then 6 and 4-year-olds: it was great. The kids couldn’t ride, but we connected the tubes, which worked well (though my oldest often preferred to ride alone). There is a conveyor belt from the bottom of the hill back to the top, which I definitely like.” -Instagram follower, 2023.
“The Rock has a great bunny hill for beginners!” – Instagram followers, 2023
“We were just at The Rock. Although you can’t ride in the same tube, you can connect rubies together. So we did and put our daughter in a tube between me and my husband. Still a bit too little, even for Mom. But in the end it’s fun. I think my daughter was 8 when we first went. -Instagram follower, 2023
Mount Wilmot
11931 Fox River Rd., Wilmot, WI 53192
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Wilmot Mountain, a beloved winter resort since 1938, continues to offer an excellent skiing experience with recent improvements.
Conveniently located on the state line near Chicago and Milwaukee, Wilmot offers a wide range of winter sports on its 120-acre ski area.
The resort offers 25 trails with a balanced set of difficulty levels – 36% beginner, 32% intermediate, and the rest offering advanced terrain shaped by the region’s glacial history.
With 10 lifts, including three modern four-person chairlifts and two modern surface conveyor lifts, the mountain has significantly increased its climbing capacity.
Night adventurers will appreciate 100% snowmaking for a consistent skiing experience, while the Terrain Park’s dual high-speed cable tow maximizes time on the snow.
Non-skiers can enjoy the tubing area with 22 lanes and belt lifts that allow for an straightforward return to the peak.
The renovated base lodge now offers 400 additional seats and enhanced dining options, catering to families, groups and individuals looking for a cozy refuge from the frosty.
Wilmot’s commitment to accessible, family-friendly winter recreation is further evidenced in its modern, state-of-the-art ski and snowboard school, equipped with next-level learning terrain and beginner belt lifts. Walt’s Tavern provides a full range of culinary services for those who want to relax after a day on the slopes.
The resort’s snowmaking capabilities have been significantly expanded, ensuring more terrain is available at the beginning of the season and rapid regeneration of slopes throughout the winter.
Related posts:
3 best snow tubing hills near Milwaukee
The 10 best places to ice skate in the Milwaukee area
In 2013, Calie Herbst, a former teacher with three teenage children, saw a need for a “one-stop shop” in Milwaukee for the entire family. So she founded Milwaukee With Kids. Her goal was to find the best that this city has to offer families and share it with other parents. In one place.
In 2019, she published “Exploring Milwaukee with Kids,” a comprehensive Milwaukee travel guide for families and children.
He appears regularly on WISN News, Fox 6’s “Real Milwaukee,” B93.3 and the Wisconsin Morning News. She has appeared on Medium, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NPR, the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle and CBS 58 News.
Calie is available for hosting, moderation and media appearances.
