Trip report of my local, Wilmot

[Amie H]

I have mentioned in a number of posts over the years that I sometimes roll over to my "local" spot, Wilmot. It is owned by Vail Resorts. Others in Chicagoland have asked me, "Oh hey, I've never been, should we meet up there sometime?"
My answer is almost always, "NO."
Not that there is anything wrong with it, per se. But I don't feel it's worth driving more than an hour to visit OR paying their window rates. Again, NOT a slam on the place, but after you see my video and how quickly I get down any run, you'll understand.

So then, WHY do I go there?

Well it's very easy to get to from where I live and work (about 50 minutes, almost a straight shot down Rte 12.) Since I work part-time, I can swing over for an hour or two in the afternoon and more or less have the place to myself.

Since I buy an EPIC all-resort multi-day pass, it is one of 3 ski hills that are an extra bonus. Meaning, if you buy one of a few specific EPIC pass products, you are entitled to free "bonus days" there (or at Afton Alps or Mt Brighton). I bought an all-resort EPIC 3-day pass this year, so I get 3 additional days at Wilmot. I've already gone twice this season. More info here. This info is fairly hidden on their website but before I buy my pass, I always hunt around to see it it's still a perk.

It was a gorgeous day on Monday, and except for a patch of impenetrable ice under chair 2, they did a good job making enough snow to cover most of the runs and the park. I'm a little sad that we are getting another very warm day this week but then supposedly snow over the weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to use that last day.

Oh, one other plus: they usually have good soup in the cafeteria! I enjoyed a bowl before driving home.

 

[Bookworm]

you are brave. have you seen videos of Bohemia? It looks fabulous. All the powder. I need to go there.

 

[Amie H]

@Bookworm Brave?? At Wilmot? Assuming that was sarcastic?

Ah, I'm not a powder skier - groomers only for me. I have zero interest Bohemia, but understand the attraction for some. Overall, though, the Lake superior snow is fantastic. I've skied Snowriver (2x), Big Powderhorn, and Whitecap (2x) and although the lift infrastructure is old & sketchy as heck, the snow is incredible.

My "new to me" Midwest ski goal is a weekday at Sundown in Dubuque. I almost went last weekend but things didn't work out (I had to spend the day helping my mother in law out with some things in her senior facility.)

 

[GladeDuchess]

Hey, it's close and it gets you on skis. Much better to go to a little place than not ski at all that day. : )

 

[Bookworm]

No, I mean brave to deal with that ice. I hate ice.
I didn't buy a pass this year otherwise I'd go with you. I'm curious about Sundown.

 

[Pamtryingagain]

I have mentioned in a number of posts over the years that I sometimes roll over to my "local" spot, Wilmot. It is owned by Vail Resorts. Others in Chicagoland have asked me, "Oh hey, I've never been, should we meet up there sometime?"
My answer is almost always, "NO."
Not that there is anything wrong with it, per se. But I don't feel it's worth driving more than an hour to visit OR paying their window rates. Again, NOT a slam on the place, but after you see my video and how quickly I get down any run, you'll understand.

So then, WHY do I go there?

Well it's very easy to get to from where I live and work (about 50 minutes, almost a straight shot down Rte 12.) Since I work part-time, I can swing over for an hour or two in the afternoon and more or less have the place to myself.

Since I buy an EPIC all-resort multi-day pass, it is one of 3 ski hills that are an extra bonus. Meaning, if you buy one of a few specific EPIC pass products, you are entitled to free "bonus days" there (or at Afton Alps or Mt Brighton). I bought an all-resort EPIC 3-day pass this year, so I get 3 additional days at Wilmot. I've already gone twice this season. More info here. This info is fairly hidden on their website but before I buy my pass, I always hunt around to see it it's still a perk.

It was a gorgeous day on Monday, and except for a patch of impenetrable ice under chair 2, they did a good job making enough snow to cover most of the runs and the park. I'm a little sad that we are getting another very warm day this week but then supposedly snow over the weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to use that last day.

Oh, one other plus: they usually have good soup in the cafeteria! I enjoyed a bowl before driving home.

Thanks for the report; and the sound of that ice! I freak out on ice but if I remember, Wilmot is not too steep so a wipe out won't send you down the hill too far. I live in Chicago and can drive pretty quickly to Wilmot. This was one of a few close in Wisconsin areas our high school bus used to take us on Friday afternoons for evening skiing.

If I could ski cheapy there, I would go just to practice turns. I sometimes ski at Alpine Valley because they have a few more trees but I think it took me 30 seconds to get down their longest run, though I didn't use a stop watch. I tried to make the most out of it anyway. Any day on snow is a good day!

If you live in Chicago and snow reappears, maybe we could meet up there or at Alpine or Devil's head, or some other area on a week day. I imagine weekends are still really busy if there is snow on the ground. Thanks again for the nice report.

 

[Amie H]

Yeah, I'd NEVER go there on a weekend.

As far as "cheapie" if you go on their website or follow their Instagram, they have "community nights" for $39 lift tickets, usually on a Friday evening.

I may not go to Devil's Head again for a while. I was there a few weeks ago (check my YouTube for some video - I still have more to edit. ) Multiple lifts broke down, once while I was on it, sitting and waiting and waiting. One, they shut down entirely after a breakdown. Like, guy up on the bullwheel fixing something. The restrooms were in poor condition, too. It really needs some money and care injected into it. I do like skiing there; I was there on a Sunday morning and no problem pulling up pretty close to park. It just feels like it hasn't been maintained.

I have one more Wilmot day on my pass. If things stay cool and they can keep making snow, yes, a weekday afternoon may work well.

 

[Pamtryingagain]

Yeah, I'd NEVER go there on a weekend.

As far as "cheapie" if you go on their website or follow their Instagram, they have "community nights" for $39 lift tickets, usually on a Friday evening.

I may not go to Devil's Head again for a while. I was there a few weeks ago (check my YouTube for some video - I still have more to edit. ) Multiple lifts broke down, once while I was on it, sitting and waiting and waiting. One, they shut down entirely after a breakdown. Like, guy up on the bullwheel fixing something. The restrooms were in poor condition, too. It really needs some money and care injected into it. I do like skiing there; I was there on a Sunday morning and no problem pulling up pretty close to park. It just feels like it hasn't been maintained.

I have one more Wilmot day on my pass. If things stay cool and they can keep making snow, yes, a weekday afternoon may work well.

Too bad about Devil's head. With our weather and snow being so poor for a few years, I imagine they don't have the money to maintain the place; or it could be lack of interest by management. When I used to go as a high school and college kid, it was very nice but that was a LONG time ago.

 

[Amie H]

Too bad about Devil's head. With our weather and snow being so poor for a few years, I imagine they don't have the money to maintain the place; or it could be lack of interest by management. When I used to go as a high school and college kid, it was very nice but that was a LONG time ago.

I don't know that I would necessarily agree with that entirely, in terms of weather being their downfall. Cascade (also central WI), Nordic Mountain, and Granite Peak have also had to deal with the same sketchy weather, but they keep growing and improving. The owners just must have deeper pockets, I guess, or as you suggested management disinterest at DH. It's a shame because at the top of some of the runs there are really nice views of Devil's Lake. I will say they are more difficult to find resorts than Cascade & GP, but Nordic is also tucked away from the highway, but they have a gorgeous new lodge this year.