Rising high above the city, Rib Mountain, the highest point in the Badger State, plays host to the Midwests newest and arguably largest ski area. Granite Peak, which resembles a small New England ski area, sprawls across 400 acres of the north-facing mountain sporting a big 700-foot vertical drop and over 70 trails serviced by seven lifts including a new high-speed quad.

At night you would swear you were in Vermont with the lights of the ski trails shimmering high above the town; ribbons of light cascading down to the edge of the city, which sits at the base of the mountain. One of the best night skiing venues in the heartland, its a unique combination that you wont find elsewhere around the Great Lakes.

Granite is actually the rebirth of the oldest ski area in the Midwest. Established in 1937 - a year before Caberfae got its start in Cadillac - it was one of the first ski areas in North America. Stowe (Vt.) and Sun Valley (Idaho) were also just getting started. It was a part of Rib Mountain State Park and originally operated by the state of Wisconsin. They quickly turned it over to a private operator, but the small area ski area never grew. It languished as a 1960/'70s relic operating with about 20 runs, a couple of tired old chairlifts, and little snowmaking equipment until late last decade.

In stepped Charles Skinner, Jr., part owner of the family-owned, highly successful Lutsen Mountains in Minnesotas Arrowhead. He realized the potential of this sleeping giant and decided to awaken it.

Skinner has more than tripled the size of the ski area in just a few years. Its a legitimate Midwest destination area with terrain to challenge every ability level and enough variety to keep you interested for a few days of skiing. Several of the runs stretch up to a mile in length.