06 Dec This January, Learn to Ski and/or Snowboard for just $45

Want to learn to ski or snowboard? This January, join the fun on the slopes as you “Discover Michigan Skiing!”

Clarkston, MI (December 2021) – Ski areas across Michigan have teamed up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants to offer a fun and affordable program to learn to ski or snowboard.

Called “Discover Michigan Skiing,” the program includes: a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass.  Twenty-one ski facilities are offering the package, which will be honored from January 2 through January 31, 2022.  Guests can choose to learn to downhill ski, cross-country or snowboard and the program is open to anyone seven years and older for downhill or cross-country skiing, 10 and up for snowboarding. The cost is $45, regardless of which option is chosen. The lesson normally covers basic maneuvering on skis or snowboards, including stopping, turning, riding the lifts, and getting up from a fall.

“Michigan is the perfect state to learn to ski or snowboard in,” says Steve Kershner, chairman of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) and director of snow sports at Shanty Creek Resort.  “No matter where you live, there is a ski area within 2 1/2 hours of your home, our slopes aren’t as intimidating or expensive as the mountains in the West and you’ll find trained, friendly instructors who know how to make it a really fun experience,” he adds.

To sign up, interested beginners must fill out a Discover Michigan Skiing Voucher and then call or register online with the ski area they want to visit.  Vouchers are available at participating Michigan McDonald’s, MSIA member retail ski stores and at goskimichigan.com. Program times differ from ski area to ski area.

Participating ski areas include:  Upper Peninsula: Big Powderhorn in Bessemer; Mont Ripley in Hancock; Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain; Porcupine Mountain in Ontonagon; Ski Brule in Iron River. Northwestern Lower Peninsula: Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs; Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls; Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon; Bay Mountain at The Homestead in Glen Arbor, Mt. Holiday in Traverse City; Nubs Nob in Harbor Springs; Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire. North Central Lower Peninsula:  Hanson Hills in Grayling; Treetops Resort in Gaylord. West Central Lower Peninsula: Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park in North Muskegon. Southwestern Lower Peninsula: Bittersweet Ski Area in Otsego; Swiss Valley Ski Area in Jones; Timber Ridge Ski Area in Gobles. Southeastern Lower Peninsula: Mt. Brighton in Brighton; Mt. Holly in Holly; Pine Knob in Clarkston.

Additional information on Discover Michigan Skiing is available at goskimichigan.com (then click on the Learn to Ski button) or by calling MSIA at (248) 620-4448.

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Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) was formed in 1991 as the trade association for the ski and snowboard industry in our state. Our main purpose is to increase awareness of snowsports such as skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing in Michigan and to introduce new individuals to the sport.