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The Midwest Lost Ski Areas Project (MWLSAP) is an attempt to list, and provide information on, the hundreds of ski areas of the American Midwest that are no longer operating. It will always be a work in progress.The American Midwest has a significant influence on the U.S. ski industry. The National Ski Areas Association (Sept. 2022) lists three midwestern states in the top 10 with the most ski areas (Michigan is second with 39 areas, Wisconsin is third with 33, and Minnesota tenth with 21). The Midwest, as defined by the US Census Bureau, comprises twelve states. These states have a total of 122 out of 462 ski areas operating in the U.S.: Illinois (4 ski areas), Indiana (2), Iowa (4), Kansas (0), Michigan (43) , Minnesota (21), Missouri (2), Nebraska (0), North Dakota (4), Ohio (5), South Dakota (3), and Wisconsin (34). But how many have we lost? - 427 ski areas are listed as lost at MWLSAP.org These pages will always be UNDER CONSTRUCTION. If you have any comments, corrections, or additions you can contact me via email at: mark@mwlsap.org  |
Initial lists of lost ski areas were found in the 1978 book A Complete Guide to Skiing in the Midwest, by Patricia Skalka, Contemporary Books Inc., Chicago, and on skimap.org. The bulk of the lost areas in Michigan and Wisconsin were already online at Michigan Lost Ski Areas Project (MILSAP) and the Lost Ski Areas of Wisconsin Facebook Page. With these sources as a starting point the search began. Other helpful sources included the Ski Area Guide, SKIING Magazine, Sept. 1969, pp. 162-164 and Michigan Ski Area History Facebook Page. Currently, I mostly rely on Newspapers.com and on sending emails to county historical societies.
TOTAL NUMBER OF LOST RESORTS IN EACH STATE
The game uses picture clues to identify the names of 39 midwest ski resorts that are still in operation.
American Ski Language - 1939?
History of Skiing - freethepowder.com
Winter Sports Playgrounds, 1951-1952 Directory, Chicago and North Western Railroad
Hills Alive!, SKIING Magazine, Jan. 1989
Skiing The Big Muddy SKI Magazine, Jan. 2002
If You Don’t Love Skiing 200-foot Hills, You Don’t Love Skiing - powder.com, September 2, 2020 By Paddy O’Connell
New ‘Return of the Turn’ Reminds Us Who the Real Skiers Are - powder.com, October 14, 2019 By Sierra Shafer
Matterhorn of the Midwest - powder.com, November 2, 2017
Bring Bump Skiing Back! - powder.com
A Midwestern Night - powder.com
How to Survive (and Ski) a Midwest Winter - powder.com
Skiing’s Oldest Uphill Transit Method Retains its Timeless Pull - powder.com
Ode to the Small Ski Hill - unofficialnetworks.com
Sports Illustrated Magazine, Dec. 1, 1958 - Guide to Ski Areas
The Oldest Ski Area in Every State, 247wallst.com
All You Schussboomers - Watch Your Ski Language - Detroit Free Press, Jan. 29, 1960
http://www.skisprungschanzen.com/EN/Ski+Jumps/USA-United+States/
https://www.pinterest.com/RatFinkSkier/abandoned-ski-areas/
Father and Son Go Tandem Skiing in Wisconsin - unofficialnetworks.com and Facebook
James Bond Ski Scenes - snowbrains.com
"Abandoned" - A Ski Film About Lost Ski Areas
https://offpistemag.com/abandoned-a-ski-film-about-lost-ski-areas/
Skiing History
https://www.skiinghistory.org/resources/index-skiing-magazine-1949-1986https://www.skiinghistory.org/resources/ski-magazine-back-issues-and-index-1941-1993
Other Lost Ski Area Projects: http://mwlsap.org/#otherlsap
Game: http://mwlsap.org/game/game.htm
1951-52 Directory Winter Sports Playgrounds, Chicago and North Western Railroad
Ski Tips: How To Ride a Rope Tow (1955) - Minneapolis Morning Tribune, Wed, Dec 28, 1955
Winter Sports Playgrounds: 1956-57 Directory,
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