A Little Piece of Switzerland in Slinger, Wisconsin

Photo from Little Switzerland

Nina Wolff

If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, then you have most likely heard of Little Switzerland. While it is a favorite ski hill among kids, it is also enjoyed by the older generation who grew up skiing there. Little Switzerland has been open for 81 years and is a staple in the Slinger community.

Before it became a ski hill, Little Switzerland was used for motorcycle hill climb competitions. It was used for these competitions for about three years before it was bought by Ed Herte, a former lawyer. Herte hoped to convert the area into a ski hill. Prior to Little Switzerland’s opening, a priest from Slinger’s St. Peter Catholic Church came to bless the hill. As he watched the snow fall, the priest remarked on how the hill looked like a “little Switzerland.” Herte then opened the hill with the name Little Switzerland on December 7th, 1941, the same day as the Pearl Harbor Bombing. 

Many aspects of Little Switzerland have not changed. The hill originally used a rope tow powered by a Ford truck which is still located in the same spot as when Little Switzerland first opened. A few years after the hill opened, Herte installed a unique chairlift that went up both sides of the ski hill; a chairlift with this same concept is still on the hill today.

After Herte died in 1985, Little Switzerland was taken over by his daughter Jane and her son Jay. After running for 66 years, the hill experienced financial difficulties and closed down in 2007.

In early 2011, Wayne Erickson of Slinger Speedways bought the hill and chalet from Jane Herte. Erickson had the intention of evaluating the property and deciding what would be the next best step. In late 2011, Erickson sold the hill and leased the first floor of the chalet to Schmitz Brothers, LLC. This company had plans of reopening Little Switzerland.

Schmitz Brothers, LLC is a company owned and operated by three brothers: Dave, Rick, and Mike Schmitz. Rick had the experience of owning two other ski hills, Nordic Mountain and Blackjack Mountain, before purchasing Little Switzerland. Dave, an electrician, and Mike, a homebuilder, greatly contributed to renovating Little Switzerland’s chalet. After lying dormant for five years, the chalet was in need of a total redesign and update. 

Little Switzerland reopened under this new ownership in 2012 and was a great success. Many skiers and boarders in nearby communities missed Little Switzerland. 

Erickson planned on keeping and converting the top floor into a restaurant but eventually sold the entire chalet to Schmitz Brothers, LLC, and former owner Jane Herte. While Jane Herte considered herself a “silent owner” during this time, she was loved by employees, skiers, and boarders. She was often found skiing at Little Switzerland or enjoying views of the hill from her nearby home. Herte died in 2018 and was honored by ski patrol skiing with her urn down the hill named after her: Jane’s Deal. 

Little Switzerland is admired by children and adults alike with its three thrilling terrain parks and 18 scenic runs. The over 100 ski and snowboard instructors give skiers and boarders the opportunity to learn and improve their skills.

Little Switzerland is not only known for its runs. In the woods nearby, there are mountain biking trails that are used in the summertime. Little Switzerland’s chalet is also the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat, listen to live music, or even host a wedding. Come check out Little Switzerland this winter season!