The runs were nicely groomed, little or no lines for the lifts. Not quite as nice as Powderhorn or Indianhead, more comparable to BlackJack. Rental fees were a little more pricey than expected but overall very good. I will be returning.

Enough about lackluster snow conditions at Midwest resorts. Skiers and snowboarders who live in the region just don't care. If there is snow or something slippery, and a spot that isn't flat, it's a perfect day.

What resorts here really lack though, and what some discriminating snowsliders crave, is the variety the West offers. Too often they find nothing but quick, steep drops; flat, velcro-like bores; trails cut like superhighways leading back to the lodge.
Norway Moutain offers a modest escape from the monotony.

Set on a 500-foot, north facing rise, Norway has 16 trails that offer something for every snow-slider. Home for years to one of the area's most active alpine race teams, the steeps are short (500 ft. vertical), but they're here. Three black diamond trails offer wide, fast speed zones. A fourth diamond trail, Skoll, can be fun for those looking for some tight turns and even a ledge-drop when the snow is right.

The middle section of Norway is home to long, intermediate trails. Loki, Vali, and Volund will give carvers rolling, fast terrain, that extends into a quick finish and long run-out into the lift.

That's also where you'll find the Odin Terrain Park. Though some Midwest hills are still slow to warm to the popularity of parks, Norway has given the Odin design more attention over the last few seasons. Depending on the current layout, you'll usually find a few large jumps, a half dozen or so rails and boxes, some more mid-level table tops and gaps, and a small quarter-pipe that runs the length of the park. Riders will also appreciate the dedicated tow rope.

The east end of the resort is a mix of beginner and slower intermediate runs. You'll usually find kids and families, but it can be a relaxing diversion too. These aren't wide, straight, slow runs to the bottom. They roll through trees, and turn a corner or two, before leading back to the lift.

The price here has started to sneak up in recent years ($36 on weekends and holidays in '06), but many regional hills are even higher. The management can still be somewhat biased toward the ski-racer segment as well on occasion, and snowboarders may not always find a friendly face outside their own crowd. Restaurants and good apres-ski in the area, are far and few between.

Faced with the somewhat sad selection skiers and snowboarders have to choose from in the Wisconsin/Michigan area though, these are small complaints. If you're one of the many Midwesterners drooling on your key board watching the snow reports from Wyoming and Utah all winter and all you can think about is your need to strap or click in, Norway is a solid choice to find some relief...until you can afford a plane ticket.