mwlsap.org

mark@mwlsap.org

Midwest Lost Ski Areas Project


Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

North Dakota

Ohio

South Dakota

Wisconsin

Extra - Kentucky

 

 

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. Snowbrains.com (2021-2022) 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). [Source of data The National ski Areas Association (Sept. 2022) ]

The Midwest, as defined by the US Census Bureau, comprises twelve states. These states have a total of 124 out of 462 ski areas operating in the U.S.: Illinois (6 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?

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

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

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's Forgotten Ski Areas Facebook Page. Currently, I rely on Newspapers.com and on sending emails to county historical societies.

LOST SKI AREA WEBSITES

OTHER MWLSAP PAGES

TOTAL NUMBER OF LOST RESORTS IN EACH STATE

UNIVERSITY-OWNED SKI HILLS IN THE MIDWEST

MEMBERS OF THE 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION IN THE MIDWEST

STILL OPEN RESORT NAMES THAT HAVE CHANGED

UNIQUE LIFTS OF THE MIDWEST

FIRST CHAIRLIFT IN EACH MIDWEST STATE

SKIING FIRSTS AND "UNIQUES" IN THE MIDWEST

SKI SONG ALBUMS

GAME - NAME THE RESORT

The game uses picture clues to identify the names of 39 midwest ski resorts that are still in operation.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

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://historicaerials.com/

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/

https://www.theroadwesttraveled.com/abandoned-film

Skiing History

https://www.skiinghistory.org/resources/index-skiing-magazine-1949-1986

https://www.skiinghistory.org/resources/ski-magazine-back-issues-and-index-1941-1993

https://www.skiinghistory.org/history/ski-resorts-years-they-were-foundedhttps://www.skiinghistory.org/resources/glossary-more-100-historical-ski-terms

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,

Regional Pages

 

Mail: mail.mwlsap.org ......

 

 

 


MWLSAP.org by http://mwlsap.org is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.