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Winter brings plenty of snow to the Great Lakes region. With a staggering average of over 200 inches of snowfall each year Michigan's Upper Peninsula may not have the vertical drop of the Rockies but the views over a frozen lake superior are spectacular.

Porcupine Mountain, affectionately known as "The Porkies", has the greatest vertical drop at 787 feet. It has 42 runs, but over 90% are listed as intermediate or advanced, making it a great choice for the more experienced skier. A season Pass is generally $340 but for one day only, December 8th, there is a fantastic deal and it is discounted to just $124, making this resort a great value.

If you're looking for a resort with more to offer the beginner or young children, then Indian Head is a great choice; it boasts 29 runs and a vertical drop of 638 feet.
They recently increased their beginner area, extending the magic carpet, which is a wonderful way for kids to learn to ski without having to worry about mastering ski lifts. Indian Head has some great ski camps for kids age 4-13 for between $48 and $60. This is a great way for kids to have fun, learn to ski and make new friends, while Mom and Dad have some time to enjoy some skiing at their own pace.

Granite Peak at Rib Mountain, Wisconsin may not have the Lake views but the view from the top is every bit as expansive and spectacular. This resort has undergone an amazing transformation in the last couple of years. New high-speed lifts have been added and this has allowed the resort to expand to 70 runs. Granite Peak also has 500 snow cannons so they can pretty much guarantee fantastic snow conditions even if Mother Nature doesn't co-operate.

The improvements and investment in Granite Peak haven't all been confined to the Mountain. The Base Village boasts plenty of restaurants and a great rental facility and more shops. The Ski School offers The Teddy Bear Program, a great kids program that is only $70 if booked on line.

Granite peak also offers night skiing. There is usually an additional fee for this but if you book online for 2 or more days it is included in the regular lift ticket price. A 2-day combo ticket for one adult and child is only $119 if you book online.

The Midwest has some fantastic family ski resorts. The Great Lakes Area is truly a year round vacation destination.

Learn more about this author, Julie Wood.
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