Sunburst
Sunburst Ski Hill is a family-owned Wisconsin ski resort operating since 1961 with 11 ski hills, 2 terrain parks, and the World's Largest Snow Tubing Hill, serving individual skiers, families, school groups, and corporate clients in the Milwaukee region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersKewaskum, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sunburst does
Sunburst Ski Hill is a privately held, family-owned winter recreation resort established in 1961 and located in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, approximately 35 minutes outside Milwaukee and 40 minutes southeast of the Fox Valley. The resort operates 11 ski hills, 2 terrain parks, and the self-described World's Largest Snow Tubing Hill featuring over 45 chutes, a 90-foot elevation drop, speeds up to 30 mph, and two magic carpet lifts. Season naming reflects multi-generational family heritage, with Werner's Way named after the owner's father who skied for the German national team in the 1950s and Frieda's Run named after the owner's mother, indicating stable long-term family ownership.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer multi-revenue-stream model across lift tickets, three tiers of season passes (Classic, Lite, Racer), equipment rentals, lessons (private, semi-private, group, and multi-week youth programs including Mogul Mites, Mini Mites, and Shredders), snow tubing tickets, school tubing field trips with science curriculum integration, birthday party packages, group rates for 15+ visitors, food and beverage service, and off-season venue rentals (Ski Chalet capacity 200, Tubing Barn, Yurt, Private Residence). Pricing is positioned as among the most affordable in the Milwaukee region, with daily lift tickets ranging from $20-$70 and season passes priced $280-$480 on sale.
Distribution runs through the shop.skisunburst.com e-commerce platform, on-site Clocktower sales, a dedicated group sales office, and a partner network of 13+ sister resorts plus Indy Pass integration connecting Sunburst to 270+ independent ski areas. Marketing relies on the website, Facebook, Instagram, an email newsletter, and event programming including off-season Xtreme Bingo and Smoke'n Aces Poker tournaments. The operating season runs approximately December through March (~12 weeks), and the property is actively operating with a 2026 copyright notice and posted event calendar.
Sunburst firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sunburst
- Legal name
- Sunburst Ski Hill
- Website
- https://skisunburst.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Sunburst Ski Hill is a family-owned Wisconsin ski resort operating since 1961 with 11 ski hills, 2 terrain parks, and the World's Largest Snow Tubing Hill, serving individual skiers, families, school groups, and corporate clients in the Milwaukee region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sunburst industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ski Resort & Winter Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Skiing Facilities (713920)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities) (THAAAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Snow Tubing, Sledding & Winter Fun Parks (THAAAJAG)
Keywords
Where Sunburst is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kewaskum
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sunburst business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Lift Tickets: Daily and hourly lift ticket sales for skiing and snowboarding. Pricing varies by day of week, time of purchase (advance vs day-of), and time of day.
- Season Passes: Three tiers of season passes (Classic, Lite, Racer) providing unlimited access. Includes perks like food discounts, equipment rental discounts, and buddy tickets.
- Equipment Rentals: Ski/snowboard, boots, poles, and helmet rentals. Prices vary by day of week.
- Lessons: Private, semi-private, and group lessons for skiing and snowboarding. Multi-week programs for children (Mogul Mites, Mini Mites, Shredders).
- Snow Tubing: Tubing tickets and party packages. World's Largest Tubing Hill with hourly time slots.
- Private Events & Venue Rentals: Ski Chalet venue rentals for weddings, parties, reunions. Tubing barn and yurt rentals. Off-season facility rentals for events.
- Food & Beverage: On-site food service including concession counters, bar in Ski Chalet, and food vouchers for group bookings.
- Group Programs: Multi-visit ski club programs, school tubing field trips, corporate group outings with discounted rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Classic Pass - Full access with perks |
| Subscription | Annual | Lite Pass - Value option, Sunday-Thursday |
| Subscription | Annual | Racer Pass - For competitive ski community |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Holiday Ski/Board Lift Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Ski/Board Lift Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment Rentals |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Lessons |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Semi-Private Lessons |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Learn to Ski/Board Lessons |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Snowman's Playland |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Mogul Mites/Shredders Program |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Mini Mites Program |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Snow Tubing Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Birthday Tubing Party |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | School Tubing Field Trips |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Ski/Board Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Tubing Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Multi-Visit Ski Club |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sunburst product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sunburst Ski Hill operates a winter recreation resort in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, offering skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing across 11 ski hills, 2 terrain parks, and the World's Largest Tubing Hill (45+ chutes, 90-foot drop). The resort sells lift tickets and season passes (Classic, Lite, Racer tiers), equipment rentals, ski/snowboard lessons (private, group, children's multi-week programs), group rates for schools and organizations, birthday tubing parties, and off-season private venue rentals (Ski Chalet, Tubing Barn, Yurt, Private Residence).
Product overview
Sunburst Ski Hill operates as a winter recreation resort offering skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing activities. The core products include Ski & Snowboard access across 11 hills and 2 terrain parks, and Snow Tubing at the World's Largest Tubing Hill. Season passes (Classic, Lite, and Racer) provide access tiers. Lessons are offered through multiple programs including Private Lessons, Mogul Mites/Shredders, Mini Mites, Learn to Ski/Board, Snowman's Club, and Open Group Lessons. Equipment rentals, group rates, school field trips, and birthday party packages serve as add-on services. The resort also offers event venue rentals through the Ski Chalet, Tubing Barn, Yurt, and Private Residence for off-season private events. Food and beverage services and live hill webcams complete the visitor experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- World's Largest Tubing Hill: 45+ chutes, 90-foot drop, speeds up to 30mph
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sunburst
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Sunburst technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Sunburst partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Indy PasscoreSunburst is a partner on the Indy Pass, a ski pass uniting 270+ independently-owned ski areas. Pass holders can add the Indy Add-On Pass for 2 days of skiing at each partner resort. Sunburst's 26/27 pass includes access to this network.
- Sundown Mountain ResortminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Dubuque County, Iowa.
- Mont du Lac ResortminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Superior, Wisconsin.
- Devil's Head ResortminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Merrimac, Wisconsin.
- Chestnut Mountain ResortminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Galena, Illinois.
- Whitecap ResortminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Upson, Wisconsin.
- Camp 10 Ski n SnowboardminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
- SnowstarminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Andalusia, Illinois.
- Seven OaksminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Boone, Iowa.
- Great Bear Ski ValleyminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- Great Bear ParkminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Norway, Michigan.
- Steeplechase EventsminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Mazeppa, Minnesota.
- PlattekillminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Roxbury, New York.
- Mount BohemiaminorSister resort offering discounts to Sunburst season pass holders. Located in Houghton, Michigan.
- West Bend Hampton Inn & SuitesminorRecommended hotel partner for guests staying at the hill. Located in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sunburst competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Devil's Head Resort: Sister resort in Merrimac, Wisconsin offering reciprocal season-pass discounts. Operates a comparable Midwest ski resort model with similar terrain, lessons, tubing, lodging, and event programming - directly comparable in scale, target market (Madison/Milwaukee day-trippers), and seasonal dynamics.
- Cascade Mountain: Wisconsin ski area in Portage competing for the same Madison/Milwaukee drive-shed. Operates a similar full-service ski hill with terrain parks, tubing, lessons, and group programming at comparable scale to Sunburst.
- Granite Peak Ski Area: Wisconsin's largest ski area, located in Wausau. Competes for the same regional Midwest skier base with significantly more vertical and trails, but serves the same customer segments (families, school groups, corporate outings) with overlapping product (ski, tubing, lessons, season passes).
- Sundown Mountain Resort: Sister resort in Dubuque, Iowa offering reciprocal pass discounts. Comparable regional ski resort model with similar Midwest climate exposure, lift ticket pricing, and customer profile (families, school groups).
- Chestnut Mountain Resort: Sister resort in Galena, Illinois with reciprocal pass benefits. Similar scale Midwest ski operation on the Mississippi River bluffs, serving a comparable day-trip customer base with ski/snowboard/tubing/lodging offerings.
- Little Switzerland Ski Area: Wisconsin ski area in Slinger competing for the same Milwaukee metro day-trip visitors. Operates a comparable small-to-mid regional ski hill with lessons, tubing, and group events - direct competitor in the same drive-shed.
- Nordic Mountain: Wisconsin ski area in Mt. Morris competing directly for the Fox Valley/Appleton market. Similar regional ski hill model with tubing, lessons, night skiing, and group programming - direct competitive overlap in geography and product.
- Wilmot Mountain: Wisconsin ski area now owned by Vail Resorts, located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Competes for the same southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois drive market with a larger corporate-backed infrastructure investment and Epic Pass integration.
Broad incumbents
- Boyne Resorts: Large private operator of multiple Midwest and national ski resorts (including Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Big Sky). Provides a relevant benchmark for a multi-resort operator with sister-resort networks, season pass products, and broader investment capacity than Sunburst.
- Vail Resorts: Industry-leading operator of 40+ ski areas globally with the Epic Pass network. Owns Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin and competes for Midwest skier acquisition. Represents the corporate-backed, multi-resort model that Sunburst operates against at a significant scale disadvantage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sunburst social profiles
Digital presenceSunburst financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sunburst leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Sunburst funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sunburst M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sunburst
What does Sunburst do?
Sunburst Ski Hill operates a winter recreation resort in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, offering skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing across 11 ski hills, 2 terrain parks, and the World's Largest Tubing Hill (45+ chutes, 90-foot drop). The resort sells lift tickets and season passes (Classic, Lite, Racer tiers), equipment rentals, ski/snowboard lessons (private, group, children's multi-week programs), group rates for schools and organizations, birthday tubing parties, and off-season private venue rentals (Ski Chalet, Tubing Barn, Yurt, Private Residence).
Is Sunburst a public or private company?
Sunburst is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Sunburst founded?
Sunburst was founded in 1961.
Where is Sunburst based?
Sunburst is headquartered in Kewaskum, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sunburst make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Lift Tickets are the primary driver. The others are season Passes, equipment Rentals, lessons, snow Tubing, private Events & Venue Rentals, food & Beverage and group Programs.
Who are Sunburst's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Devil's Head Resort, Cascade Mountain, Granite Peak Ski Area, Sundown Mountain Resort, Chestnut Mountain Resort, Little Switzerland Ski Area, Nordic Mountain and Wilmot Mountain. Broad incumbents are Boyne Resorts and Vail Resorts.
Does Sunburst have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sunburst.
What industry is Sunburst in?
Sunburst's product category is Ski Resort & Winter Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAAAK, Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities), with a secondary code of THAAAJAG, Snow Tubing, Sledding & Winter Fun Parks. Its NAICS code is 713920 and its SIC code is 7900.