Cascade was pretty standard Midwest skiing as it comes. Much more diverse mountain than Wilmot, or Alpine Valley. For some decent steep cruisers and skied off bumps I had a great time for the couple of hours on the slopes.

Crowded lot but we got there early. One tough thing, there is little bar room unlike Alpine Valley. You can get hard pressed for room to sit and relax with a beer mid mountain or even at the base lodge.

Went to Cascade over the weekend of January 12, 2008 and had a good time. This was our second year going to Cascade as we had a nice time last year and wanted to come back. They made some renovations to the day lodge that made the appearance more appealing such as putting log siding on the walls and new carpet was added I believe. Food was expensive as is most ski resorts but the place is a nice place to spend the day. This place has some very nice blue and green runs that are long such as Badger Bowl, JJ’s, and a long green that is on the far right side of the resort if standing at the lodge. One thing that is nice with this place is many of the trails can be interconnected to create a longer ski down the mountain. This place is a perfect “day ski resort” as no lodging is located at the resort. I think that if this was done it would definitely be utilized as all hotels and motels are located at least 10 minutes away in nearby Portage. They did raise their prices this year which may have been a little steep but overall this is a great place to ski and one that is fairly close for Indiana and Illinois residents.

I skied cascade on New Years Eve of 07/08. We got there 30 minutes before the slopes opened. No ticket lines. From opening to mid morning they were packed. From 10am-8pm we avoided the packed high speed quad (resort open 9am-11:59pm). All the other lift lines were minimal all day. The snow was superb.

For beginners they have a great lift called Schoolmarm. I think it is a little shorter than the average lift so kids can load easier. The hill it services is perfect to learn on. (I did years ago) For the advanced skier; sorry, this is Wisconsin. The black diamonds are comparable to a blue in the Rocky Mtns. That being said, they do offer more black runs than anyone in the area, and they are never busy. Cascade does a good job of working in rails and big jumps into the parks. The best thing about Cascade is the high speed quad. It is the only one I know of in southern Wisconsin. My experiences on non holiday periods are short lift lines on all lifts. Short lines and a fast lift lets you get in twice the runs.

Lodging can be quite affordable. I recommend The Ridge Motor Inn of Portage. There is a free shuttle to the resort every hour if you don’t want to drive. Rooms as low as $50. Years ago it was the Best Western so it has an indoor pool and hot tub. Be warned it is a budget hotel and slightly run down, but it is clean. I go to ski, who cares about a 5-star lodge.

I skied Cascade Christmas Eve and again New Years Eve/Day. The first time was with my family, while the second time was with our scout troop. My sons ski quite well; some of the scouts and their parents were out for the first time; one parent skis Copper Mountain, CO, each year. Cascade had the right stuff for everyone throughout. Since we had 14 in group lessons with only one instructor, the lessons were a bit slow for some. But the combination of green runs provided a nice blend as the new skiers began stretching their skills a bit (too bad Far Out is on the other side of the resort and a bit hard to get to for new skiers, though.) A few of the new skiers worked up their way through the blue and even a black run by day two, providing a great feeling of satisfaction. The east runs weren't nearly as busy and provided a wonderful playground for the more experienced skiers, who ran through the black diamonds there, especially enjoying PW and Radical Rob before hopping right back on the chair lifts. Snow conditions were top notch right up until the temperatures took a nose dive New Years Day, when things started getting a bit icy. But man were the slopes running fast!

Although we went during some of the busiest times of the year for Cascade, it never was unbearably crowded. The staff are outstanding at helping keep the lifts organized and moving efficiently. When some of our newest skiers struggled getting on the lifts early on, staff were there to help them up if they fell. The dad who skis Copper found the friendliness of Cascade very similar. Although short staffed on New Years Day, Cascade had two of their own staff help look for a pair of skis when they turned up missing shortly after unloading (they eventually showed up in lost and found). Ashley in the group office was wonderful to work with throughout the planning process of bringing the scouts up, as well. In all, Cascade provided a wonderful skiing experience, even during the potentially stressful experience as scoutmaster of bringing 14 new skiers to the slopes during one of their busiest days of the year.

After reading the reviews previously posted, I would have to say that I agree with the person who submitted the chair lift difficulties. I am a new skier and after being rushed into a chair I was slightly intimidated by the whole process. Getting hit in the head on the way off the chair certainly didn't improve my opinion of the opperators as they could certainly have stopped it from swinging around and knocking me as I saw one do for another obvious newbie.