Granite Peak Ski Area in Wausau feels like the kind of winter getaway you promise yourself you will finally take this year. With long, rolling runs, modern lifts, and impressive snowmaking, Granite Peak Wisconsin stands out among ski resorts in Wisconsin as a true destination for every level of skier. Whether you are carving confident turns on steeper terrain or easing into the day on gentler slopes, Granite Peak is the kind of place where skiing in Wisconsin suddenly feels bigger, more exciting, and a lot more memorable. It is no surprise that many people searching for Wisconsin ski resorts look to Granite Peak Ski Area first when they want fresh snow, great energy, and a relaxed but elevated vibe.
Of course, a winter getaway in Wausau is about more than just time on the slopes. When you are ready for a break from the ski hills in Wisconsin, Wausau offers art galleries, cozy coffee shops, excellent restaurants, and a surprisingly robust arts scene for a small city. Stroll through downtown for boutique shopping, sample local craft beer, or spend an afternoon at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, then return to the mountain when you are ready for another round of runs under the lights. The mix of Granite Peak, lively downtown Wausau, and classic winter activities like snowshoeing and ice skating creates a complete cold weather escape that feels both fun and refreshingly sophisticated.
To make the most of your time at Granite Peak Ski Area, you will want a stay that matches the quality of your days on the slopes, and that is where the Stewart Inn comes in. Often considered the best hotel in Wausau, the Stewart Inn blends historic architecture with thoughtful, modern amenities, creating a refined home base that feels genuinely welcoming. After a full day at Granite Peak Wisconsin, return to luxurious guest rooms, inviting common spaces, and attentive hospitality that anticipates what you need before you have to ask. When you pair one of the top ski resorts in Wisconsin with one of the finest places to stay in the state, your winter getaway quickly becomes the highlight of the season.
Your Guide to Granite Peak Ski Area
Granite Peak Ski Area delivers serious vertical and variety for a Midwestern mountain, which is a big part of why it stands out among Wisconsin ski resorts. Sitting in Rib Mountain State Park just south of downtown Wausau, Granite Peak Wisconsin rises to about 1,950 feet, with a vertical drop of roughly 700 feet, giving you a legit top to bottom run that feels long and satisfying by any regional standard. You will find around 58 trails spread across more than 200 skiable acres, along with four terrain parks and extensive snowmaking that covers essentially the entire mountain, so skiing in Wisconsin here feels dependable from early season through spring. A large percentage of the runs are lit for night skiing, so you can keep lapping the hill long after sunset and squeeze every bit of fun out of your winter getaway.
Trail variety is one of the biggest perks at Granite Peak Ski Area, especially if your group includes a mix of abilities or you simply like to change things up during the day. The trail network blends long, cruising blues, dedicated beginner terrain, glades, bump runs, and a few legitimately steep pitches that will challenge advanced skiers, which is exactly what many people look for when they compare ski hills in Wisconsin. Freestyle skiers and riders gravitate toward the four progressive terrain parks, where you can work your way up from smaller features to more technical lines under the lights. On the practical side, the mountain is served by seven lifts, including modern high speed chairlifts that move people quickly and cut down on wait times on busy weekends, which gives Granite Peak a more destination style feel than many other ski resorts in Wisconsin.
Planning lift tickets and logistics is where you really make the most of a trip to Granite Peak Wisconsin. The resort uses dynamic pricing, and the best value usually shows up when you purchase Granite Peak Ski Area tickets online in advance, rather than walking up the day you want to ski. Tickets are date specific, capacity is sometimes limited on peak days, and you can often reload an existing RFID card online for direct to lift access, which saves both time and money. Recent listings from third party sites suggest daily tickets can start around the mid sixties on select dates, although prices change often, so it is smart to check the official ticket calendar before you commit. Once that is handled, it is just a quick drive from downtown Wausau to the hill, which makes it easy to stay in the city at a place like the Stewart Inn, enjoy dinner and drinks in town, then be on the first chair in the morning. When you combine thoughtful planning with the mountain stats, amenities, and energy of Granite Peak, you get one of the best ski trips for anyone interested in skiing in Wisconsin this winter.
The Most Luxurious Among Hotels in Wausau, WI
The Stewart Inn feels like the kind of place you choose when you want your winter getaway in Wausau to feel a little elevated. Housed in an extraordinary Prairie style mansion designed by George Maher, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, it combines serious architectural pedigree with the warmth of a boutique hotel experience. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it consistently ranks at the very top of hotels in Wausau as well as among the leading small lodging properties in Wisconsin, including repeated Travelers Choice Best of the Best recognition on TripAdvisor. That mix of history, design, and high level guest reviews is a strong signal that this is one of the best hotels in Wausau for couples and friends planning a Granite Peak Ski Area escape.
What really sets the Stewart Inn apart for winter travel is the way comfort and amenities are dialed in for cold weather season. Each of the five luxury guest rooms features a king or queen bed, fine linens, and a private bath, many with indulgent steam showers and inviting fireplaces that feel amazing after a full day at Granite Peak or other Wisconsin ski resorts. Mornings begin with a thoughtful gourmet breakfast that changes daily, and evenings often include a relaxed wine and cheese reception that makes the inn feel more like a private club than a typical hotel. Small touches, like a generous pillow menu, high speed wifi, quality television and audio in the rooms, and complimentary beverages throughout your stay, create the sense that every detail has been considered so you can simply relax into your winter getaway.
Location is another reason the Stewart Inn pairs so well with a ski focused trip to Granite Peak Ski Area. The inn sits in Wausauu2019s Andrew Warren Historic District and the downtown River District, an easy walk from many of the cityu2019s best restaurants, galleries, museums, and breweries, so you can enjoy a night out without moving your car. When it is time to ski, Granite Peak is only a short drive away in Rib Mountain State Park, and the inn even offers Granite Peak packages that bundle lodging with lift tickets, making it especially attractive for travelers comparing ski resorts in Wisconsin and looking for the best value. With a rare mix of design forward historic charm, attentive hospitality, and a location that keeps you close to both downtown Wausau and Granite Peak, the Stewart Inn truly stands out as one of the best places to stay for a winter getaway in this part of Wisconsin.