US-2 — The Official Ski Highway of the USA!

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the East and West
And if you ski, there will be pow
That line is for your tracks alone

The Contenders

There is a humble road in the northern top strip of the USA. I have been on a fair amount of its western portions. Mainly in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Montana. In those states the road is a simple unassuming two lane road. I never hear of traffic jams occurring on this road nor of complaints of clueless tourists in rentals spinning out. Those are characteristics of I70 and U-210 (the road to Alta & Snowbird in Utah) which is probably the roads that one will think of when asked to associate a road with skiing. However, it is clear to me that I70’s and U-210’s reputation is more infamous than famous. Quite a few ski commentators wonder what can be done to expand the road (answer: it will be a great expense to do so).

Infamy

I70’s notoriety as a ski road is due to it taking residents (and guests) of the Denver metropolitan area to the likes of Aspen, beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Loveland, Vail, and Keystone (and others, even if the list is incomplete it is still worthy) from what I see I-70 is the undisputed ski-highway in Colorado. U-210 only connects Alta and Snowbird to Salt Lake City. However, if there is a national ski highway that has to be US Highway 2.

The Ski Highway

US 2 spans the United States of America from the Pacific coast starting in Seattle and spans the north across Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakato, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In Michigan it takes a rest (runs into Lake Huron) from its duties of conveying people and goods and then resumes in Rouses Point in New York and continues on through Vermont, New Hampshire, and terminates in Maine as it intersects I-95 and ends just short of the Canadian border. All of these states are full winter and skiing states.

US 2 is a necklace hanging pearls of ski resorts across the neck of the USA! Some of US2’s pearls are grand. Steven’s Pass, Schweitzer, and Whitefish Mountain Resorts are are worthy of attracting international attention. Whitecap, Snowriver, Big Powderhorn,  Ski Brule, Pine Mountain, and Norway Mountain are great regional or local resorts. Regardless US 2 can convey snow fans to resorts in 10 different states. Can I-70 do that?

Ski Resorts Across the Nation

US 2 is a US highway and as such is an asphalt two lane road. US 2 is enveloped by multiple national forests and even a number of US National Parks. In the UP of Michigan it shoots through the Ottawa National Forest, undulates over gently rolling hills and is mostly “wilderness”. Around Ironwood Michigan you get the distinct vibe of being in mountain foothills which actually makes sense since this area was home to ancient mountain ranges — the Gogebic and Penokee mountains. It is the remnants of these mountains that host the ski resorts of the region. Whitecap, Snow River, Big Powderhorn, Mt. Zion, and others. Other ski resorts served by US 2 are Steven’s Pass in Washington, Schweitzer in Idaho, Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana (yeah), Buena Vista in Minnesota, Whitecap in Wisconsin, Whiteface in New York, and Titcomb Mountain in Maine.

In Montana, US 2 in the east is straight and surrounded by prairie lands — as they say Big Sky country! The road continues being nearly arrow straight and is in good shape. However, that all changes as you get near East Glacier the land becomes hillier. Once you pass East Glacier the road becomes twisty and is surrounded by forest and glacier capped mountains — you are descending into Glacier National Park. Outside of winter the road is fine and very scenic. The road is no less scenic in the winter but it is likely you will be white-knuckling.

What Road Would you Nominate?

While there are no prizes awarded for being a ski highway I contend US 2 is the official ski highway of the USA! How about you? What road deserves to the USA’s ski highway?