Northwest Indiana — There are many abandoned ski areas across the Midwest. One of the most interesting is Pines Peak.
Operating from the 1960s until the late 2000s, the ski area was among the first to open for business in Indiana, and people were able to ski in the summer as well due to synthetic slopes. However, Pines Peak (also known as The Pines) closed in 2008 after some low-snow winters frustrated the owner. The Midwest Lost Ski Areas Project provided the most information about this place, which is a great resource for those who want to learn more about abandoned ski resorts.
This past January, The Steel City Storm explored what remains of the Indiana ski area. In the video, he walks around the decaying base lodge and the base area. He believed that it could be nearing the end of its life, due to all the development that’s occurring nearby.
Another interesting abandoned video of the site came in 2018 from Abandoned or Cool, which gives a more in-depth exploration of the trails and lifts.
As of April 2025, the ski area remains abandoned. Today, only two ski areas in Indiana remain operational during the wintertime: Paoli Peaks and Perfect North.
Image/Video Credits: The Steel City Storm ~ Exploring Northwest Indiana, Abandoned or Cool, Skimap.org
