Nestled in the heart of Marathon County, Wisconsin, Rib Mountain is an iconic natural landmark rich with history, natural beauty, and endless adventure. Rib Mountain State Park, established in 1927, is one of Wisconsin’s five most visited state parks, drawing over 400,000 annual visitors.
In autumn, Rib Mountain transforms into a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. It is a popular destination to enjoy the fall colors from the vantage of a ski-lift.
I’m driving through the woodlands of the Badger State towards Wausau, Wisconsin. Even as our destination will spark awe in us, the drive is just as much the event. Periodically, I spot an old concrete silo along a sagging red barn. But the quaint remnants of family farms, enhanced by backdrops of vibrant autumn shades, incites a warm feeling.
When we make it to Wausau, amidst a network of highway ramps and intersections curving into the sky, Rib Mountain dominates the landscape. The fall collage on its slopes boasts the presence of early October.
I should mention that Rib Mountain is a four mile long stretch of high-rising quartzite.
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Finding the road to the hill is quite easy. There is actually an exit, when heading north, called Rib Mountain Drive. Before we reach its crest, I surprise Heidi by parking on a small side lot. I’m pretty accustomed to Wisconsin State Parks, So, know a small lot in the middle of nowhere means a trailhead is close by.
On the other side of the road, Walkers enjoy the fall colors on a paved path along the street. I observe many a dog walker along this well kept trail.
Anyways, with hiking and biking trails all over this area, It should make for excellent outdoors time. We hop back in the car, drive through the park entrance and wind up on a bit of an observation park. The view it renders is stunning.
Along with a cool platform, I find the ski lift tucked away in the corner. I’ve read that the ski-lift operates from 3:00 to 6:30 today, yet I see no one riding. Today is quite windy, maybe that has something to do with it. Heidi, who realizes there are no seat belts on the lift chairs, decides that maybe it’s for the best. She and I both have a slight distrust for manmade devices that course through the sky. So even though the endeavor sounds slightly alluring, I’m struck with a little secret relief. Yet, I would have done it for the adrenaline high. Instead, we find a platform that allows us a view of the city below. I survey a mural of manmade structures mingled with a collage of autumn colors. It stretches into an unseasonable haze on this warm and windy October day.
When we finally head back towards Green Bay, I’m pretty satisfied. I’m sure Heidi is also. This popular Wisconsin park significantly highlighted our fall color spectating. Now, despite the lowering sun, we’ll enjoy colors along HWY 29 from the southbound perspective.
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Rib Mountain, formerly called Rib Hill, is a four-mile-long ridge of ancient rock dating back about 1.7 billion years. It is among the oldest geological features on Earth. For many years, it was believed to be the highest point in Wisconsin. Now it's generally accepted that Timm's Hill, near Ogema in Price County, is the highest at 1,952 feet above sea level and Rib Mountain is fourth at 1,924 feet above sea level.
Rib Mountain has been used by many people for many different reasons. The early Ojibwe used it as a lookout and as a guide for finding their way. As early as 1893, the mountain was used in the manufacture of sandpaper. The Wausau Sandpaper Company was incorporated in 1900 and built a factory. In 1902, Wausau Quartz Company crushed the quartzite for grinding and polishing purposes.
The Wausau Kiwanis Club recognized the mountain's recreational potential. The club bought 120 acres of land at the top in 1922 and later 40 more acres. The club asked the Wisconsin Conservation Department (predecessor of the DNR) if Rib Mountain could become a state park and the department accepted a gift of 40 acres in 1923. Later, gifts expanded the park to 606 acres in 1970 and nearly 860 acres by 1982.
Many men in the community made it a point to climb to the top of the mountain at least once a year, probably just to prove that they could do it, according to a 1926 article in the Wausau Daily Record Herald. The mountain remained undeveloped until 1929 when a special committee of the local Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a drive to have a road built to the summit.
In July 1935, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was set up on the west bank of the Wisconsin River in the town of Rib Mountain. The first ski event was the Central Ski Association Championship, held February 24-25, 1938. The CCC built a beautiful shelter house, which was opened in December 1939. The shelter is still in use today by Granite Peak Ski Area. In 2006, the upper level of the shelter/chalet was dedicated in honor of the 10th Mountain Alpine Division. The 10th Mountain Alpine Division served in the Italian Alps during WWII.
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The Evolution of Granite Peak Ski Area
The history of the ski area at Rib Mountain is a story of vision, community effort, and continuous development.
- 1924: The Vision Begins The Wausau Kiwanis Club donated a few acres of land to the State, recognizing the recreational potential of Rib Mountain.
- 1937: Rib Mountain Ski Area Opens The ski area debuted with six runs and a half-mile long lift powered by an 85 horsepower Ford V-8 motor.
- 1939: The Ski Chalet Opens The shelter house hosted members of the Wausau Ski Club for its first official function, featuring a dance, fashion show, and exhibition of winter sports equipment.
- 1940: Breakthrough Snow Season After a number of lackluster snow seasons, 1940 provides snow-covered slopes from November through March. Ski Trains are scheduled from Milwaulkee and Chicago through the season. A toboggan slide is also begun with water pipes installed to the top of the mountain in order to ice the slide over. “Snow Reporting” is started!
- 1941: Expansion to the West 40 more acres expands the ski area to the west.
- 1954: Snowmaking Revolutionizes the Industry Snowmaking equipment was invented in the Catskills of New York at Hunter Mountain. 28 large spotlights ranging from 500 to 1500 watts in capacity are mounted on seven poles on the lower open slopes.
- 1957: Shelter Upgrades The Shelter House receives a $93,000 upgrade providing indoor bathrooms, a ladies' lounge, and a large glassed-in sun porch providing unobstructed views of the ski area.
- 1958: Snowmaking Begins on Rib Mountain
- 1960 - 1963: New Trails A new trail built off to the west of the T-bar will extend from top to bottom and is named Duskey Bowl in honor of Joseph P. The area consists of 6 trails, Mis-Tree Run, Main Slope, a Racing Trail, Duskey Bowl, Lower Duskey and Birch Run.
- 1965: Major Snowmaking System Installed 20,000 feet of underground pipe and 4,000 feet of above-ground distribution pipe is also installed. Two additional T-Bar lifts are added along with a short rope tow on the learning slope. New equipment is installed in the kitchen and a new rental building is erected.
- 1969: New Chairlift Installed The Double Chair will go to the top of Rib Mountain. In addition to the chairlift, Miss-Tree trail has been widened and a new tow rope was installed. The Historic Chalet also debuted a new “sun deck” which is still in use to this day.
- 1975: Christmas Snow Opens Ski Area 100%
- 1985: Carmelo Olivia Announces Retirement
- 1986: Neal Mix Purchases the Lease He immediately refurbishes the chairlifts, purchases $60,000 in rental equipment, and taps into the Rib Mountain Sanitary District for additional water for snowmaking purposes.
- 1988: New Trail Debuts Rauschl’s Revenge ski trail is opened up.
- Summer 2000: Granite Peak is Born Skinner renames the ski area “Granite Peak” in hopes to attract more attention and notoriety. Two new high-speed, detachable lifts, are installed and open for the season.
- 2002-2003: Expansion West 21 New Trails & Dasher Quad open in the West. The resort also opens up the Sundance Chalet. Additional seating, food cafeteria, and outdoor seating areas open to the public. The Sundance Chalet is also used in the summer for wedding receptions, corporate events, and more.
- 2015: $50 Million Expansion Plan Proposed
- Fall 2020: Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership The GWPP is established with help of the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses for the further development of the region.
- 2021: SE Group Delivers Findings of Needs Assessment Rib Mountain State Park asks for input on four options for recreation expansion including new ski trails, mountain bike trails, and public access points.
- Summer 2021: Over Four Million in Capital Improvement The upgrades will improve snowmaking across the resort, replacing old technological snowmaking sticks with improved SMI Grizzlies that can make snow at high temperatures more efficiently. The resort continues to upgrade lighting, switching from fluorescent light to LED.
- 2022: Sister Resorts Launch Midwest Family Ski Resorts Charles Skinner's oldest daughter Charlotte joins the team and Lutsen Mountains Resort becomes 100% owned by the Skinner Family. Later that year the Midwest Family Ski Resorts ownership group is formed. Big Snow Resort, (Blackjack & Indianhead Mountains) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is purchased.
- December 2022: DNR Announces Approved Master Plan The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approves a new Master Plan that includes an expansion of ski terrain to the East and the West along with additional activities such as mountain biking, a multi-purpose trail that circles the park, along with additional community access points and more. The additional ski terrain includes adding four trails to the east, four to the west with each area also receiving it's own dedicated high speed lift for access. New parking and entrances to ski area are also included.
- Spring 2023: The Legendary Season Pass is Offered The newly formed trio of resorts offer a new season pass portfolio that offers skiing and riding at three of the largest ski resorts in the Midwest.
Today, Granite Peak’s Fall Scenic Rides will take you to one of the highest, and prettiest, spots in Wisconsin, and this ski lift ride is the best way to see Wisconsin's fall foliage to celebrate the season.
Towering above the Wausau area, Rib Mountain offers some of the best views in Central Wisconsin. It stands 1,942 feet above sea level and 741 feet above the local terrain.
The mountain is open to the public via Rib Mountain State Park, and it’s a beautiful place to explore in any season. The park covers more than 1,500 acres, and it has 15 miles of trails. There’s also a 60-foot observation tower.
Rib Mountain is also home to the Granite Peak ski area, which is especially gorgeous in the fall. The mountain and much of the surrounding area is covered with trees that explode with color in September and October.
While there’s a lot to explore on foot in the park, for the best views, pick up a ticket for the fall color ride. The six-person chairs will slowly and safely take you up the mountain so you can see all of the dazzling fall colors.
The ride can be paired with a scenic fall color hike - just get off at the top, explore the trails and when you’re ready to go down, just get back on the lift.
After completing the ride, head to the resort's Historic Chalet Deck and 10th Mountain Division Hut. It is serving the Wisconsin fall classics - cold beer and brats!
The Granite Peak Fall Scenic Rides are very popular so you’ll want to purchase advance tickets.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find an abundance of activities at Rib Mountain. Explore over 13 miles of scenic hiking trails like the accessible Dynamite Trail and the Turkey Vulture Trail, named after the vultures that roost near the abandoned quartzite quarry. Winter turns Rib Mountain into a snowy playground. Granite Peak, originally opened in 1937 and Wisconsin’s largest ski area, boasts 55 trails sprawling across 225 acres. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a thrilling descent of 700 vertical feet.
From its ancient geological formations to vibrant community traditions, Rib Mountain continues to captivate and inspire.