I'm an average skier, Ski mainly the Midwest from Upper Michigan to Granite Peak and a bi-yearly Colorado/Utah trip. Cascade has very nice amenities more modern in comparison to the U.P hills. The skiing was just average nothing that will challenge an above average skier, but then again not much in the Midwest will. $50 is a bit high but so is Granite Peak at $72 day. Indian Head is $62, Brule $48 and Marquette is $38 +/- a few bucks on each hill. Overall we're glad we tried it. Would highly recommend for a beginner.
I like this place. The price is reasonable. Although the slopes and views are not amazing like other skiing places, it is still nice to just stop by and ski. They are professional and the place is not so crowded. They also usually open til 10Pm! You can get cheap tickets from hotels close by (e.g., Days Inn)
Enjoyed a day of skiing at Cascade in March. The staff were all very friendly and attentive. Enrolled Kids in Cascade Kids and they learned the basics, and the staff was organized. Lockers available on site for 50cents, but they do run out so arrive early. Seating in lodge area can be scarce at meal times, but there is also a lot of outdoor seating and a fire pit going. There were plenty of runs for beginners and the lift lines were never too long.
We come back every year for the value and proximity. Kids 12 and under ski free and the hill is the closest higher-quality hill to our home in Illinois. There can be long lines during busy weekends so we try to schedule our ski vacation during the week. Stay at one of the nearby hotels for excellent discounts on Day/Night tickets like we do every year and combine it with free access to Dell's water parks (also at local hotels). Like most ski resorts food is expensive but you can haul your own food and eat it in the warm lodges.
For eight years, we have brought up a group of families, with kids ranging from 3 years to college students. Cascade is a great hill to get kids started skiing, offering a good ski school (giving parents a chance to ski alone). It is a small enough of a mountain that kids can head out alone for periods of time without worry. And the bar has very friendly bartenders... especially April! Just avoid Saturdays after noon at all costs... skiing on a Thursday or Friday - you practically have the runs to yourself, not true on Saturdays.
Great place to ski. Went with two other couples. There are a ton of slopes to keep things interesting. I was teaching a beginner and she had a blast on the long trails.We were a little concerned when we got the due to long lines at the main lift but we never waited longer than 10 minutes. There are some decent black diamonds and intermediate hills. Much better than Christmas Mountain.
The key to lots of skiing on a busy weekend is to get there early and have your skis on at 9:00 a.m. ready to take the first lift up. Your legs will be shot by noon, when it gets crowded.
We have taken our children here for a few years now. It is always great fun, good family skiing, and the staff are excellent.
We had a great time. Cascade was much bigger than I was expecting. There was a lot area to ski. We enjoyed that there was plenty of blacks. Nice long runs and lots of lifts. It was really busy, however with the amount of lifts the lines weren't too bad.
With a nice high speed quad at the base the early skier can get some decent runs in before the busses unload with hoardes of skiers! The ski lodges were seriously overcrowded with lines as long inside for food as outside at the lift line. Generally, The ski lodges were outdated and the food was average, basic cafeteria food. The runs were well-groomed with plenty of variety and another over crowded lodge at the too of the hill. The place could use a serious remodel and expanded parking lot! I could not believe the lift lines by midday and even with a full day ticket, we only skied until 2:00pm.