If you’re a ski family in the Midwest, you know the drill: we watch the thermometer like hawks, praying for those freezing nights that let the snow guns blast. It takes a lot of patience and optimism to be a skier in this part of the country, and unfortunately, families near Paoli Peaks in Indiana are having their patience tested right now.
The One-Week Window
It breaks my heart a little to report this, but after finally opening for the season on January 3rd, Paoli Peaks had to hit the pause button on January 10th. They managed to get five trails open for us to make some turns, but a warm spell has forced a temporary closure to preserve what base they have left.
For us parents trying to plan weekend activities or get the kids into lessons, this kind of uncertainty is tough. We want to get them out there, but we also don't want to drive all that way for slush puddles.
The Tale of Two Resorts
It’s hard not to compare Paoli to its neighbor, Perfect North Slopes. While Paoli struggled to find snowmaking windows in December, Perfect North managed to open way back on December 5th.
Even though they are in the same state, those slight geographical differences create different microclimates. Perfect North often gets just enough extra cold air to keep the guns running, while Paoli has to make every single chilly hour count. It looks like Paoli’s snowmaking team is doing their absolute best—patching up spots whenever temps drop—but they are fighting an uphill battle against geography.
The Epic Pass Connection
Paoli Peaks is owned by Vail Resorts (acquired in 2019), which is a big reason many families in Louisville and Cincinnati buy the Epic Pass. It’s great for local laps, but when the local hill can't open, it feels like a missed opportunity.
It does beg the question: does the resort need more investment in high-efficiency snowmaking gear? Or perhaps, as some locals suggest, is it time to diversify into year-round activities like mountain biking to keep the lights on?
For now, having Paoli on the roster is still a strategic move for the company, funneling Midwest skiers to their flagship mountains out West. Speaking of which, if you are holding an Epic Pass and feeling frustrated by the rain in Indiana, it might be the perfect excuse to book a trip to the mothership. Vail, which scores a solid 71.5/100 on ShredIndex, is a bucket-list trip for many of us.
If you decide to trade the Midwest mud for Colorado powder, you can book your stay and ensure you get some guaranteed turns in this season.
Looking Ahead
To be fair to the team at Paoli, they are clearly eager to reopen. They were making snow as recently as Sunday when conditions permitted. We saw similar struggles in 2023 when they had to close in late February. It's a challenging cycle of late openings and early closings.
We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for a deep freeze in Indiana soon. Until then, hang in there, ski families!
Source: Unofficial Networks
