Local ski hills revel in big snows

Tamira Madsen  —  1/01/2009 3:42 pm

Al Jackson and his family typically trek out west at least once a year to get their downhill ski fix.

Jackson, from Mount Horeb, was wrapping up a weeklong trip to Winter Park near Denver last week, but returned home so daughter Sarah could punch the time clock at Tyrol Basin, a ski hill about five miles northwest of their hometown. Sarah Jackson, a freshman at Edgewood College, squeezed in a few days on the Colorado ski slopes in between shifts working at the desk of Tyrol Basin's ski school.

But considering the conditions back home, the only thing the Jacksons will miss by skiing in the Madison area is Colorado's altitude.

No matter the method ski enthusiasts prefer, with the wintry weather and continued snowfall in southern Wisconsin, Al Jackson said the conditions are ideal as the new year begins. He currently works as regional director for Young Life, a Christian youth organization, but moved to Mount Horeb in 1978 to work as head instructor at Tyrol Basin's ski school.

With the 101.4 inches of snow that covered the area last winter, the conditions during the 2007-08 season did wonders for reviving the ski industry, local officials say. And at least so far, this year looks to offer more of the same. Madison set another record for snow in a December: 38.6 inches had fallen as of Sunday, Dec. 28, setting an all-time monthly standard.

Officials at Tyrol Basin and Cascade Mountain in Portage are raving over the amount of natural snow that is covering their ski hills.

Don McKay, who's been manager at Tyrol Basin the past 20 years, said the conditions over the past month and heading into 2009 are ideal. The ski hill, which has 17 open trails, drew more than 1,000 skiers the Saturday before Christmas, and sales for season-ticket passes have increased 10 percent compared to last season.

Temperatures were chilly enough -- 28 degrees or colder -- several days in early fall to begin snow-making at Tyrol Basin, giving people the chance to ski or snowboard the last couple days in October. McKay said it was the earliest he had ever sold tickets to skiers during his tenure.

"We've had some natural snow since the middle of November, and psychologically, natural snow is always great for us because people think about skiing and snowboarding when there is snow in their back yard," McKay said.

"We're running ahead of last year with pass sales, and last year was a pretty good winter. That's a great sign for the season."

He said one unusual aspect of the community of outdoor enthusiasts at Tyrol Basin is that they are split evenly between skiers and snowboarders. At ski facilities across the country that cater to both, the average number of snowboarders is 30 to 35 percent.

Despite the tumultuous economy, McKay and Cascade Mountain owner Rob Walz said they have not felt the effects of the recession.

"It's a good sign that even though we're in the economy we're in that people are still willing to participate in recreational activities," McKay said. "The fact that they're coming out and buying season tickets up front is a good sign that there is still enthusiasm for skiing and snowboarding. They bought (passes) before the snow and I feel that was confidence in winter, and confidence in Tyrol Basin."

Walz said Cascade Mountain saw a 20 percent increase in ticket sales last season, and at this juncture, this year is on pace with last year. He added that sales of apparel and equipment purchases in the facility's ski shop also were brisk. The hill is located six miles southwest of Portage.

Six trails were groomed and opened late last week, so heading into Christmas weekend, 34 of 36 runs at Cascade Mountain were up and running.

Walz said that with all the downhill options available to area skiers -- including Devil's Head Resort in Merrimac, just an hour north of Madison -- he anticipates people will ski closer to home.

"We're seeing the same response that Tyrol Basin is, and I'm sure Devil's Head is feeling the same way we are," Walz said. "People are still coming out, they're still finding time and money to have a little bit of fun and recreation.

"They're coming out as much as they did last year, before we were in recession. They're still spending the same amount of money."

Besides ski hill operators, retailers of ski equipment and apparel have been enjoying a boost in business, too. Jeff Bedermann, store manager at Fontana Sports Specialties on State Street, said the simple reason why business is good is because there is snow on the ground.

Bedermann said retailers recall recent years when the Madison area had winters with little snow, and shoppers were reluctant to spend money on new skis. But the past two winters have been a wintry change of pace.

"Any time there is snow on the ground and people can see it, it's great for business," said Bedermann. "Sales have increased for both downhill and cross-country equipment, in addition to rentals for cross-country skiing. People have forgotten about those lean years and are definitely more excited about getting out.

"Snow motivates people. Winter is long and you have to get out and enjoy it. Otherwise sitting in the house and going from house, to the car, to work is pretty boring for five months."

Laura Whitmore, community relations coordinator for the city of Madison Parks Department, said workers have been busy grooming cross-country ski trails at Elver Park and Odana Hills Golf Course. Besides warming shelters, rental equipment is available during the week at Elver and on the weekends at Odana Hills.

Trail passes are required at those two facilities, but many Madison parks offer free cross-country skiing, including Cherokee, Monona, Olin-Turville and Owen.

Whitmore said in an effort to pay closer attention to fitness and to alleviate the winter doldrums, the department is encouraging new participants to take up cross-country skiing.

"This is great snow and it's a really good thing for people who are curious and want to try it," Whitmore said. "This is the perfect year to do this kind of thing, especially after last winter when folks thought, 'I need a hobby and I need to do something because this is really a long period of time to deal with snowy weather.'"

---

WINTER SPORTS INFO

Downhill skiing: Cascade Mountain, Devil's Head Resort, Tyrol Basin

Cross-country skiing: A trail pass (daily: $6, annual: $24) is required for cross-country skiing in the city of Madison at Elver Park and Odana Hills Golf Course (see the Madison Parks Division Web site for more information). Ski equipment rentals are available at Elver weekdays from 4-9:30 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; at Odana Hills rentals are available on weekends from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Trails, no pass required, are also groomed at the following city parks: Cherokee Marsh, Monona Golf Course, Olin-Turville and Owen. There are a handful of Dane County parks that have trails available, and a trail pass is required to ski at: Cam-Rock (Cambridge), Indian Lake (Cross Plains), Lake Farm, Stewart (Mount Horeb) and Token Creek (Windsor). For more information on county park skiing, visit the Dane County Parks Division Web site.

Ice skating: Elver, Tenney and Vilas parks rent skates weekdays from 2-9:30 p.m. (beginning at 4 p.m. at Elver) and weekends from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Other neighborhood parks that offer skating (and warming shelters): Goodman, Garner, Olbrich, Warner and Westmorland.

Sledding: Available at: Elver, Warner, Heistand and Berkley parks.

Tamira Madsen  —  1/01/2009 3:42 pm