Best Skiing & Snowboarding Near Milwaukee (Family-Friendly Hills + Lessons)

Quick Picks: Skiing & Snowboarding Near Milwaukee

• Best for beginners: Alpine Valley (largest beginner area + lessons)
• Closest to Milwaukee: Crystal Ridge (short drive, easy bunny hill)
• Best terrain parks: Little Switzerland (multiple parks by skill level)
• Best tubing + skiing combo: Sunburst Winter Sports Park
• Best resort feel: Grand Geneva Mountain Top

Best Ski Hills for Beginners Near Milwaukee

If you’re brand new to skiing or snowboarding – or bringing kids for their very first time – some hills are simply easier to start at than others. Based on beginner terrain, learning areas, and how approachable the overall setup feels, these are the best beginner picks near Milwaukee.

Best Overall for True Beginners: Alpine Valley Resort

Alpine Valley is widely considered the most beginner-friendly ski hill near Milwaukee. The large learning area, gentle slopes, and conveyor lifts make it especially comfortable for first-timers, and lessons are well established for kids and adults who are starting from scratch.

Best for Young Kids & First Ski Days: Crystal Ridge

Crystal Ridge is one of the easiest hills for families with younger kids. The beginner area and bunny hill are close to the main lodge, which makes rentals, breaks, and regrouping simpler.

Best for Beginner Snowboarders & Lessons: Sunburst Winter Sports Park

Sunburst is a popular choice for first-time snowboarders, especially those taking lessons. Its learning terrain and lesson programs are well suited for beginners, and everything is fairly centralized.

Good Beginner Option with a Resort Feel: The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva

Grand Geneva offers beginner terrain along with a more polished, resort-style experience. It’s a good fit for beginners who want lessons and reliable conditions.

Better Once You’ve Learned the Basics: Little Switzerland

Little Switzerland does offer beginner areas and lessons, but it tends to work best once beginners have had an initial lesson or two. It’s a fun next step for building confidence on longer runs.

Best for Lesson Availability & Structure: Wilmot Mountain

Wilmot has clearly designated beginner areas and frequent lessons, making it a solid option for structured learning. That said, it can feel busier and more advanced overall, so it’s often better after mastering the basics.

Alpine Valley Resort

📍W2501 County Road D, Elkhorn, WI 53121

Located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Alpine Valley offers skiing and snowboarding with one of the largest beginner areas in the Midwest. They recently added a new trail called Snowdrift that is 1,400 feet in length. With 21 trails and eight separate ski lifts, it’s a scenic destination great for the entire family.

Little Switzerland

📍105 Cedar Creek Rd., Slinger, WI 53086

Founded in 1941, Little Switzerland is one of the oldest ski hills in Wisconsin, and it’s great for beginners. With a skiable vertical of 200 feet, 18 runs, 3 terrain parks, and 9 lifts, there’s something for everyone.

Beginners can start in the dedicated area with a conveyor belt and handle tow, progressing to trails like Easy Cheesy. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders have a wide selection of blue runs, mostly on the back side, accessible via Chairlift 4. Advanced enthusiasts can challenge themselves on black diamond runs such as Big Deal and Shorty’s, with caution advised in slow zones.

Riders can also enjoy the Switz 41 Park with large features, Expedition Supply Park for medium features, and the Progression Park for beginners. Plus, the resort boasts 100% snowmaking capability, ensuring groomed snow throughout the season.

Sunburst Winter Sports Park

📍8355 Prospect Dr., Kewaskum, WI 53040

You’ll find two terrain parks for skiing and snowboarding, plus the World’s Largest Tubing Park at Sunburst in Kewaskum.

Reader Reviews:

• “At Sunburst there are ropes to hold into connect two or even more tubes. So one parent and one or two kids could ride hooked together. There were toddlers going down. My 9 year old was very nervous but needed up loving it.” -Instagram follower, 2023.
• “I noticed Sunburst does not allow kids to go down with a parent in a tube.” – Instagram follower, 2023.

The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva

📍7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147

The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, located in the scenic countryside of Lake Geneva, is renowned as one of southern Wisconsin’s premier ski destinations. It’s situated an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago, and features 20 downhill ski runs and diverse terrain catering to all ages and skill levels.

Equipped with advanced snowmaking capabilities, The Mountain Top ensures consistent ski conditions throughout the season, regardless of natural snowfall. Families will find ski and snowboard rentals, trolley transportation from nearby accommodations, three chairlifts, two carpet lifts, and a six-acre terrain park.

There’s also night skiing and other winter activities like ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top Lodge provides food and beverage options, and the resort’s Learn to Ride program caters to those without ski equipment.

Crystal Ridge

📍7900B W Crystal Ridge Rd., Franklin, WI

Crystal Ridge is a winter enthusiast’s playground located just a short drive from downtown Milwaukee. Featuring a variety of runs to suit every level of skier and snowboarder, it boasts the blend of challenge and fun.

For beginners, the resort offers the convenience of a Beginner Conveyor 1 and a dedicated beginner area. Intermediate skiers can enjoy a selection of blue runs like Ridge Runner and Pebble Park, while advanced adventurers can tackle the steeper inclines of The Drop and Whitnall Way. The Progression Snow Park caters to those looking to improve their skills with a mix of terrain park features.

There are also tubing hills with conveyor belts, and glow tubing on select Saturday nights. Ticketing, first aid, restrooms, and food are located near the Main Lodge.

Reader Reviews:

• “The tubing at the Ridge is great for all ages! My son did it when he was 2 and was just fine.” – Instagram follower, 2023.
• “The incline of Crystal Ridge is substantially less steep as Sunburst has a far greater incline and run length making sometimes much faster. I speak from experience of having worked at both locations.” – Instagram follower, 2023.
• “We went to Crystal Ridge in January with my then 6 and 4 year olds: it was great. The kids couldn’t ride with use, but we linked up the tubes, which worked fine (though my older often preferred to go alone). There is a conveyer belt that takes you from the bottom of the hill back up to the top, which I definitely appreciated.” -Instagram follower, 2023.
• “Crystal Ridge has a great bunny hill for beginners!” – Instagram follower, 2023
• “We have only been to Crystal Ridge. While you can’t ride in the same tube, you can link the rubes together. That is what we did and put my daughter in a tube between me and my husband. Still a little scarce even for mom. But fun in the end. I think my daughter was 8 the first tie we went.” -Instagram follower, 2023

Wilmot Mountain

📍11931 Fox River Rd., Wilmot, WI 53192

Wilmot Mountain, a winter retreat since 1938, has recently undergone modern updates. Located on the state line near both Chicago and Milwaukee, it offers 120 acres of skiable terrain with 25 trails for all skill levels—36% beginner, 32% intermediate, and the rest advanced, shaped by glacial history. Ten lifts, including three modern quad chairlifts and two surface conveyors, ensure quick slope access. The Rope Terrain Park has been regraded for earlier openings, aided by 100% snowmaking coverage and a double high-speed rope tow.

Non-skiers can enjoy tubing with 22 lanes and conveyor lifts. The historic Main Lodge Bar is open for snacks, and Walt’s Tavern operates on weekends and holidays. The base lodge now offers 400 more seats and upgraded dining. A state-of-the-art ski and snowboard school features regraded learning terrain and beginner conveyor lifts. Expanded snowmaking capabilities ensure consistent conditions all season.