Ski Brule: Discover Skiing in Iron River. 17 Trails and Night Skiing

Skier at Ski Brule.

Ski Brule, in Iron River, Michigan, is the perfect place to spend winter. You might ask why? Well, the 150 acres of terrain is one reason why, another great reason is they have 100% snowmaking on their 17 trails.  In addition to the great skiing and snowboarding, if cross country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling is something you like to do, Ski Brule needs to be on your radar.

Read on to discover why you should visit Ski Brule and some important things you need to know before visiting.

Highlights of Ski Brule in Iron River, Michigan

Some of the highlights and stats include – 

  • 17 trails
  • 11 Lifts
  • 100% snowmaking
  • Cross country skiing & snowshoeing 
  • 3,000 miles of snowmobiling trails nearby

Where is Ski Brule Located?

Ski Brule is located in Iron River, Michigan. Never heard of it? That might be because it is upstate Michigan. Sure, it can be a long drive for some but the drive is worth it. The ski area is sandwiched between the Ottawa National Forest and Gwinn State Forest Area. Here are the driving distances to some nearby areas-

  • Minneapolis, MN – 5 hours, 303 miles
  • Green Bay, WI – 2 hours and 30 minutes, 137 miles 
  • Lansing, MI – 7 hours and 20 minutes, 470 miles 
  • Madison, WI – 4 hours and 25 minutes, 261 miles
  • Eau Claire, WI – 3 hours and 40 minutes, 217 miles

Unless you live in northern Michigan, it is probably closer for people from Wisconsin to visit Ski Brule. Don’t let that deter you from a little weekend road trip though.

What is Ski Brule?

Ski Brule is a ski resort in northern Michigan. It is a family resort and not just one for skiers and snowboarders. It is very popular for the snowmobiling trails of upper Michigan and Wisconsin.  If you are an adventure seeker, there are multiple ways to find it at Ski Brule.

Lodging Near Ski Brule

So you want to stay near Ski Brule? We don’t blame you if you had a far drive, want multiple days of skiing, or are doing a snowmobiling trip. There is plenty of lodging at Ski Brule although some of it is dated. Be sure to look at the photos before booking. There is a mix of lodging options for individuals, couples, and families.

If you prefer a hotel instead, the closest is a AmericInn in Iron River. While it is a 2 star, it is pretty good for what they are offering.

Finally, if you want something a bit more modern but still close by, your best options are to do some research on VRBO or Airbnb. There are quite a few cabins to book at which can be a great alternative if you plan on bringing your own snowmobiles.

Does Ski Brule Have Night Skiing?

Night skiing at Ski Brule.

Night skiing is from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. There is a big discount if you are only skiing or snowboarding during the night session. One thing you can do is snowmobile during the day and then still make the night skiing session to get in a few runs.

Does Ski Brule Have Snowmaking?

100% of Ski Brule trails have snowmaking capabilities. The ski area has the full set up to blanket their ski area in fresh powder as soon as it is cold enough.

The Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Ski Brule is right when they open if you want to get in your skiing or snowboarding fix. They are one of the earlier Midwest ski areas to open. Historically this means seasons from the end of November almost through April!

Does Ski Brule Have a Ski Shop?

Need gear? What would a ski area be without a pro shop? Bear’s Den pro shop has you covered if you made the long drive but forgot something at home. Bear’s Den won’t even break the bank. A lot of their prices are extremely competitive to anything you’d find online. If you need some new gear, think about supporting the pro shop at Ski Brule.

Terrain Parks

Three terrain parks make up the mountain at Ski Brule. Bambi Rail Playground, Snowshoe park and Rapids. If you want to hit some rails, boxes, and kickers then Ski Brule has got you covered. 

The park crew at the mountain keep the terrain parks interesting at Ski Brule by building everything from beginner to challenging park features. It is both a great place to learn and challenge yourself.

The Trails – What to Know 

Of the 17 trails at Ski Brule, they are split as follows – 

  • 35% beginner
  • 35% intermediate
  • 24% advanced 
  • 6% expert

So who does that make Ski Brule geared towards? You might say beginners and intermediate riders, to which you’d be right. In reality, it is families. The ski area has a great selection of trails to ride for beginners, kids and families.

Is Ski Brule Good for Beginners?

Dad teaching daughter at Ski Brule in Michigan.

We’d recommend Ski Brule to anyone looking to learn skiing or snowboarding. Lessons are available daily and you can progress up the mountain at your own pace. Once you have mastered the bottom of the mountain, you can head up to the top and take Maple Syrup all the way down which is a nice trail for beginners.

Other Winter Activities at Ski Brule

Skiing and snowboarding is a small piece compared to the whole picture at Ski Brule. Fat biking, snow tubing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are other activities you can do at Brule. 

Yes, it is a lot and honestly, if you want to do all of those, you’ll need at least a Friday, Saturday and Sunday for your trip.

Final Thoughts:

Ski Brule is in Michigan but it is quite a trip for anyone from eastern Michigan. If you haven’t checked out northern Michigan, now you have a good reason. With plenty of activities to try and beautiful scenery to explore, try to take a trip up to Ski Brule this Winter, you will thank yourself that you did!

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