- Izzy Lidsky
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- powder.com
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- January 22, 2026
A colder-than-usual snap is hitting the Midwest this week.
Temperatures are plummeting to lows that even hearty Midwest skiers won't dare braving. The National Weather Service has issued several cold-weather alerts for the Great Lakes area, including an Extreme Cold Warning for parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.
In particular, parts of Wisconsin reported temperatures as low as -17 degrees (feels like -39!) on Friday morning, with wind chill dropping things as low as 40-45 below, and notes that temperatures this low could cause frostbite on exposed skin within just 10 minutes. The warning is currently in effect until 9 am Saturday morning.
As a result of the bone-chilling cold, Wisconsin ski area Granite Peak has suspended many operations through the week to prioritize guest safety. The resort cancelled night skiing operations on Thursday, January 22, due to extreme cold and wind chill. All resort operations at Granite Peaks are suspended on Friday, January 23.
The resort plans to reopen on Saturday, January 24. They expect a delayed opening and for the West lift to be closed all day. Normal operations are expected to resume on Sunday, January 25, pending a forecast and warmer temperatures.
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Over in Minnesota, Buck Hill has also suspended operations on Friday, January 23. Forecasts are also showing brutal lows for the Twin Cities' local ski hill. Buck Hill plans to operate on a limited schedule through the rest of the weekend.
In short, many ski areas could see operational impacts due to the cold through Friday and Saturday. The Twin Cities region is likely getting the brunt of it, with cold temps and not much new snow. Central and Southern Wisconsin are also getting hit by the cold, but could have slightly better ski conditions when things warm up due to a bit of new snow as well.
Northern Lower Michigan seems to be faring the best out of the Midwest states, with fairly significant recent snowfall and slightly warmer temperatures. Northern Michigan's Caberfae Peaks got 7" of snow between Thursday and Friday morning and is hovering around a balmy -4 degrees.
Stay warm, Midwest skiers!
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