06 Jan What’s new on Michigan’s slopes and trails for 2022/23 season
What’s new on Michigan’s ski slopes and trails for the 2022/23 winter
Over the summer ski areas across the state have been hard at work making improvements. The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association has compiled updates for the upcoming winter.
Southeast Michigan Ski Resort Updates
Alpine Valley Ski Area
https://www.skialpinevalley.com/
300′ vertical drop, 25 runs, 100 skiable acres, 5 terrain parks. 34% Beginner, 36% Intermediate, 30% Advanced
Alpine Valley is the local ski area for many in southeast Michigan. Alpine Valley also hosts multiple events throughout the season, so there is always something exciting to do on snow in metro Detroit.
- Multi-area season pass: Wisconsin Resorts, parent company for Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Bittersweet, Alpine Valley (WI), and Searchmont Resort (Canada), purchased Alpine Valley over last year. Skiers now have the option to purchase a multi-area pass that covers Alpine Valley (MI) and all their sister resorts. Six resort passes, one price!
- Terrain Park updates: Last year Alpine Valley invested in a new Pisten Bully Park Pro, which helps the resort build better features in the terrain park.
- Snowmaking updates: Mt. Holly, now a sister resort for Alpine Valley, built and delivered ten new snow guns to Alpine Valley last summer. According to Alpine Valley, the new guns have larger barrels and increased snow output.
- Amenity updates: Facilities at Alpine Valley have gotten attention from the new ownership. The bar and group room underwent remodel. The kitchen also saw improvements in the form of upgraded equipment. Lastly, the rental room was reorganized to improve flow.
Most exciting of all, a new coffee shop selling Caribou Coffee and other specialty drinks opened last year and is ready to serve customers this winter -Alpine Valley Ski Area
Mt. Holly
350′ vertical drop, 19 runs, 100 skiable acres, 3 terrain parks. 30% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 20% Advanced
At 350 feet of vertical, Mt. Holly has the largest vertical drop of the southeastern Michigan ski resorts, with varied terrain that caters to skiers of all skill levels. Keep an eye out once the temperatures fall, because Mt. Holly has shown a willingness to blast their snow guns to open when the weather cooperates.
- Multi-area season pass: Wisconsin Resorts, parent company for Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Bittersweet, Alpine Valley (WI), and Searchmont Resort (Canada), purchased Alpine Valley over last year. Skiers now have the option to purchase a multi-area pass that covers Mt. Holly, and all their sister resorts. Six resort passes, one price!
- Snowmaking updates: Mt. Holly is the manufacturing hub for building snowguns for Wisconsin Resort ski areas. Mt. Holly sent snowguns to Searchmont in previous years, and Alpine Valley (MI) last year. In addition to the guns sent to Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly built and installed ten new guns to use at home.
Pine Knob
300′ vertical drop, 17 runs, 80 skiable acres, 3 terrain parks. 20% Beginner, 20% Intermediate, 40% Advanced, 20% Expert
Located 30 minutes from Detroit, Pine Knob is convenient to many Metro Detroiters. Not content to sit on success, Pine Knob keeps busy off-season building new features for its progression park and soliciting feedback on social media. But besides terrain parks, Pine Knob has terrain for all abilities.
- Multi-area season pass: Wisconsin Resorts, parent company for Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Bittersweet, Alpine Valley (WI), and Searchmont Resort (Canada), purchased Alpine Valley last year. Skiers and riders now have the option to purchase a multi-area pass that covers Pine Knob, and all their sister resorts. Six resort passes, one price!
Southwest Michigan Ski Resort Updates
Bittersweet Ski Resort
350′ vertical drop, 20 runs, 100 skiable acres, 2 terrain parks. 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced
At 350 vertical feet, Bittersweet offers the largest vertical drop of the southwestern resorts in Michigan. For those that are unaware, Bittersweet is a sister resort to Mt. Holly, Alpine Valley, and Pine Knob in southeast Michigan, and Searchmont Resort in Ontario.
- Multi-area season pass: Wisconsin Resorts, parent company for Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Bittersweet, Alpine Valley (WI), and Searchmont Resort (Canada), purchased Alpine Valley last year. Skiers now have the option to purchase a multi-area pass that covers Bittersweet, and all their sister resorts. Six resort passes, one price!
- Lift updates: Called the Snow Flyer, Bittersweet installed a new high-speed lift over the summer. The resort realigned the high speed Sweet Express as well in preparation for Snow Flier, which replaced the Snowberry chairlift and loads near the base lodge.
- Amenity updates: Outdoor seating proved popular last season. Like many resorts, Bittersweet expanded outdoor options by building a second outdoor heated patio area.
Timber Ridge
250′ vertical drop, 16 runs, 50 skiable acres, 2 terrain parks. 44% Beginner, 38% Intermediate, 0% Advanced, 19% Expert
Located near Gobles, Michigan, the family-oriented ski area has eight ski lifts, two terrain parks, and a tubing park. The terrain difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced, but most of the trails are at the easy or intermediate level.
- Snowmaking enhancements: Timber Ridge invested heavily into snowmaking and grooming. The resort purchased five new TechnoAlpin snowguns, one of which is the TechnoAlpin TR10. The TR10, the second for the resort, is one of the larger guns on the market. The portable snowgun allows the resort to focus snow wherever it is needed, even when temperatures are marginal. These updates bring Timber Ridge’s total to 11 TechnoAlpin snowguns across two towers and nine portable machines. What good is all this snow without groomers though? Well, worry not, because Timber Ridge tripled their groomer fleet with the purchase of two additional snowcats; a Prinroth BisonX and BR 275
- Terrain expansion: Last year workers used explosives to remove trees and stumps as they carved new trails, including Timber Ridge’s first DOUBLE black diamond. In addition to the double black, look for Fox Run, a new black diamond run accessible via the Quad chairlift.
- Lift updates: Timber Ridge replaced the Pine rope tow with a magic carpet, making it easier for first timers to access beginner terrain. You will find the old Pine rope tow uphill now, which doubles the beginner skiable acreage at Timber Ridge.
- Amenity updates: Like many resorts, Timber Ridge expanded outdoor seating and added additional fireplaces.
- Infrastructure updates: Increased high efficiency LED lighting on slopes will improves night visibility while reducing energy consumption.
- Tubing updates: Last year Timber Ridge expanded the snow tubing hill with a new conveyor lift that is expected to increase slide time while reducing wait time.
Northern Michigan Ski Resort Updates
The Highlands at Harbor Springs
https://www.highlandsharborsprings.com/
552′ vertical drop, 55 runs, 435 skiable acres, 4 terrain parks. 35% Beginner, 29% Intermediate, 35% Advanced 2% Expert
The big news for Boyne Highlands is its name change and transformational plans. Now called “The Highlands at Harbor Springs,” the resort offers more vertical and acreage than any other in the lower peninsula. Known for varied terrain and long runs, The Highlands goes out of their way to promote a family-friendly atmosphere. Their terrain parks offer a wide variety for every type of rider. A great place for beginners and youngest riders to start honing their skills. As a destination resort, visitors will find tubing, zip lining, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, horseback riding, and many winter-themed events.
- Transformational Journey: The Highlands has aggressive plans that have begun and will continue through 2030. Featured projects include upgrades to the main lodge, golf courses, a new Discovery Center check-in area, experiential spa and pool complex, a new Highlands Café and retail and 19th Tee Restaurant.
- Snowmaking enhancements: New this year are 66 new HKD Impulse Tower Guns The HKD Impulse is a low energy, high performance workhorse. Featuring patented Variable Airflow Technology to deliver top quality snow at higher temperatures, and big production with minimal air consumption at cold temperatures.
- Lift updates: For beginners and those returning to skiing and snowboarding, a new 300’ Sunkid Covered Conveyor is replacing the Wonder Carpet on North Camelot. Features include an enclosed tunnel called a Gallery that protects from the elements while progressing up the slopes and a wider conveyor track. The Sunkid has been named Renate’s Express in honor of beloved SnowSports Academy instructor, Renate Schan, who retired last winter, and shared her passion and love for skiing with children throughout her 34 years teaching at The Highlands.
- Learning enhancements: The Highlands’ SnowSports Academy has expanded its youth group lessons for ages 4 to 12 who are first time, beginner, and intermediate skiers and riders. Parents can enroll children in either a morning session, or all-day program including both a morning and afternoon session with a break for lunch. For the littlest member of the family, The Highlands is introducing Small Fry Try, a private lesson specially designed for first-time three- and four-year olds. This one-on-one session provides 45-minutes of focus on fun and safety to make the first experience on snow extra special.
- Adventure for women: The Highlands’ Adventure Series for Women features special guest coach, Heidi Ettlinger January 28-29, 2023 and pairs one- or two-day days of skiing with indoor presentations. For full event details, visit highlandsharborsprings.com.
- Dining update: A new pop-up Italian dining experience is opening inside the Country Club of Boyne. Featuring cozy charm and home-cooked meals, Bella Sopresa, meaning beautiful surprise, will offer antipasti, entrees, and specialty pastas, along with daily food and wine features. Shuttle service is available for resort lodging guests.
Boyne Mountain
http://www.boyne.com/boynemountain
500′ vertical drop, 60 runs, 415 skiable acres, 7 terrain parks. 29% Beginner, 41% Intermediate, 29% Advanced 1% Expert
Known for the full resort experience, Boyne Mountain is located about 40 minutes south of its sister resort. Boyne Mountain is a bit rowdier than Boyne Highlands, with a greater emphasis on après ski. Even so, Boyne Mountain remains family-friendly, and is home to Avalanche Bay, their indoor water park. Look for Boyne Mountain to push the season, if possible. It is not uncommon to get April laps when the weather cooperates, and the Mountain is often the last resort to end skiing for the season in the lower peninsula.
- Lift Updates – The Midwest’s First D-Line, Eight-Passenger Chairlift – Among the biggest and most exciting news is Disciples 8, aka D8, the Midwest’s first Doppelmayr D-Line, high-speed, eight-person chairlift. This mega new lift brings the latest in lift evolution and technology, and is revolutionizing access to the Disciples Ridge area with a 3-minute ride to the top, plus a slew of other features like auto-locking safety bars, a child-friendly rising loading carpet, and whisper quiet ride.
- Expanded Night Skiing – With the addition of D8, Boyne Mountain has added lights and is expanding night skiing terrain to include the Disciples Ridge area. The new terrain adds 30 acres and increases total acreage by 25% to a total of 165 acres of night skiing terrain.
- On The Slopes – Boyne Mountain has added 53 new low-energy HKD Impulse tower guns featuring patented Variable Airflow Technology to deliver top quality snow at higher temperatures, and big production with minimal air consumption. The resort has also laid 20,000 feet of water and air snowmaking pipe increasing capacity for the season.
- Amenity update: SkyBridge Michigan – Opening to rave reviews this past fall, SkyBridge Michigan, the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, can also be experienced this winter season. In addition to taking in the sights of the snowy landscape, the winter season also adds the thrill of seeing skiers and snowboarders swooshing down the slopes under the bridge as well as doing tricks in the nearby terrain park. Upon crossing the bridge, fire pits and a food trailer offer the chance to extend the experience. The Hemlock chairlift will exclusively serve pedestrian foot traffic.
This new attraction is modeled after the wildly successful Gatlinburg SkyBridge at sister property, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park in Tennessee, and is an even more sensational, architectural masterpiece with its timber-frame design, a nod to the logging heritage of northern Michigan, with lumber sourced by long-time partner in resort growth, Matelski Lumber. – Erin Ernst, Boyne Resorts Director of Communications
- Fly-In Service with Airport Enhancements: Boyne Mountain offers one of the most unique ways to access a Michigan ski resort – by private jet. Guests with private plane access can fly straight to the slopes, saving time and providing added convenience with a 5,200-foot runway. The runway has been striped, grooved, and repaved, and lights have been upgraded. The airport also offers tie-down space and Jet A and 100LL fueling
Caberfae Peaks
485′ vertical drop, 34 runs, 200 skiable acres, 2 terrain parks. 35% Beginner, 35% Intermediate, 29% Advanced
Caberfae Peaks opened in January 1938, making it one of the oldest ski resorts in the country. Caberfae lies within Michigan’s lake-effect snow belt and receives nearly 12 feet of natural snowfall each season. In addition to lift-serviced terrain, Caberfae also provides ungroomed backcountry terrain for those numerous fresh powder days. Consisting of two peaks, Caberfae provides the highest elevation for lift-serviced terrain in the Lower Peninsula. The North Peak is home to beginner and intermediate terrain, and winding trails through the woods. The South Peak features steep and advanced terrain.
- Terrain updates: Caberfae continues to expand its terrain with the addition of East Peak.
- Lift Updates: Serving the new East Peak area, Caberfae Peaks has added a new East Peak triple chairlift.
Caberfae offers the highest lift-served peaks in Michigan and has consistently been considered one of the best values in the state. So come out and experience the big hills, with the best snow, in your backyard! -Caberfae Peaks
The East Peak Chair is going to give that person that is discovering skiing a better experience, because they’re going to be able to go to the top, get the views, and they’re going to get the long runs down and it’s going to be great. – Tim Meyer, Caberfae Peaks General Manager
Cross Country Ski Headquarters
https://www.crosscountryski.com/
Over 11 miles (18 km) of cross-country ski trails suitable for all abilities and “Ginzu” groomed every morning with the same groomer used in the Olympics. All track set and groomed for skaters.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters (XC Ski HQ) is a specialty cross country ski shop and premier Nordic skiing destination in Michigan and throughout the country. Named #2 Cross Country Ski Destination in North America by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards in 2018, XC SKi HQ is most known for pristine ski trails, a warm and welcoming lodge atmosphere, and an outstanding selection of cross- country ski equipment and clothing with top notch service.
- Event updates: Fun-seekers will enjoy a slew of outdoor events that will take place throughout the winter, including ski lessons, food and drink events, live music, and more. Start with Winter Trails Day on January 7th, where beginner skiers receive a free trail pass and ski lesson, plus discounted rental rates. Enjoy a taste of the Alps at the Bavarian Ski Festival on Saturday, January 21st. Stein-holding contests, Team Ski Time Trials, a costume contest, plus German sausages, and beer served by German Dave Returning this year is the gourmet, candle-lit, Winter Feast dinner on February 2nd; Paella on January 29th, Ribs & Blues on February 25th; and the 30th Annual Junior Muffin Race on February 26th.
Crystal Mountain
http://www.crystalmountain.com/
375′ vertical drop, 59 runs, 103 skiable acres, 3 terrain parks. 22% Beginner, 48% Intermediate, 30% Advanced
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, Peak Fitness, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, a wedding venue, a conference center, and real estate options.
- Snowmaking Update: Crystal Mountain invested in additional stick guns this year, bringing the total number of snowmaking machines to 172. The new snow guns will be placed on the backside of the mountain near the Ridge Triple chair lift. The resort has also ordered new snowmaking pumps to increase snowmaking by up to 20 percent.
- Terrain Update: For the more advanced skiers and riders, there’s a new downhill run– Ridge Glades, which runs through the trees between Dandy’s Delight and The Ridge. For those taking lessons on the backside of the mountain, there’s a new place to warm-up and take a break – Backyard Station.
- Dining Options: New this year is the Yurt, nestled between the Backyard and Northface to warm up, eat and grab a drink on the mountain. The Yurt offers hot drinks, beer, wine, chili and other grab‘n go options. There will also be additional indoor seating at the base of the mountain inside the Clipper Café.
- Rental Enhancements: Most skiers and riders looking to rent this year will be equipped with brand new skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and helmets – which are now included in all rental sets at no extra charge.
- Behind the Scenes: An upgraded online platform will provide a much smoother shopping experience for guests buying lift tickets, rentals, or season passes online.
- Season Pass perks: passholder perksnow include deals at two more ski resorts. In addition to Ski Cooper (CO), Swiss Valley (MI), Mount Bohemia (MI) and Caberfae Peaks (MI), Crystal Mountain season passholders will receive lift ticket deals at Marquette Mountain (MI) and Giants Ridge (MN).
- Hour Update: Lastly, slope hours have been extendedto 6 p.m. on Mondays.
- Ski Club News: Crystal Community Ski Club has hired its first employee – Hunter Steinkamp, CCSC Director of Operations. This is the club’s fifth season offering a variety of programs including Alpine Racing, Master the Mountain, Nordic Rocks and other outreach programs. Registration is open for the 2022-23 season. Here’s a video.
Forbush Corner Nordic
https://www.forbushcorner.com/
Over 25 km of dedicated ski trails groomed for both classic and skate skiing, over 10km of dedicated snowshoe trails
Forbush Corner Nordic is a recreational non-profit 501(c)(3) cross country ski facility where families can enjoy miles of rolling, wooded trails that are designed for all ability levels. The entire trail system is groomed with large Pisten Bully snow cat(s) to provide classic tracks and skate lanes. Forbush Corner Nordic also utilizes a SMI snowmaking system (2 km figure 8 loop) that almost guarantees skiing for much of the winter. Forbush Corner Nordic is in the Northern Michigan snowbelt which is a micro-climate that receives early and frequent snowfalls.
- Additional Amenities: Ski and snowshoe rentals for on-site usage, lessons with a PSIA-AASI Level III instructor, pro shop featuring Madshus skis and equipment, snowshoes, wax, and apparel, expert ski fitment services, binding mounting and wax services, ski shop, warming room, and new yurt for changing and taking a break, variety of snacks and drinks for purchase
Hanson Hills
225′ vertical drop, 11 runs, 1 terrain park, 125 skiable acres. 50% Beginner, 50% Intermediate
Hanson Hills, located in Grayling, is one of Michigan’s first ski areas. Snowboarders will find 3 surface lifts, a terrain park, tubing, and a snowsports school to get you on the slopes. Other options at Hanson Hills include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking.
- Terrain expansion: In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Hanson Hills Snow Sports School, last year the resort cleared trees and the old ski school building to expand the learning area’s rideable terrain. Hanson Hills also expanded the tubing hill over the off season.
Hickory Hills Ski Area
http://www.traversecitymi.gov/hickory_hills.asp
15 runs with 3 beginner, 8 intermediate, and 3 advanced runs, 1 freestyle terrain park.
Owned and operated by Traverse City, Hickory Hills offers downhill and cross-country skiing right within the confines of the city. The top of Swede trail offers great views of Grand Traverse Bay and Downtown Traverse City.
- Infrastructure updates: Last year the Hickory Hills crew made numerous updates. Skiers and riders can now enjoy six rope tows, one conveyor lift and 15 runs, of which 14 are lit for night skiing. They previously had 8 runs. They’ve also increased their cross-country skiing to include 5k of groomed trails, with 1k lit for night skiing.
We plan to host four seasonal events at Hickory Hills for the major activities onsite, including cross-country skiing, disc golf, running, and mountain biking [and] each event would use the lodge, as well as temporary facilities outdoors to support the event activities. -Traverse City statement
Nubs Nob
427′ vertical drop, 53 runs, 248 skiable acres, 3 terrain parks. 30% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 20% Advanced
Nub’s Nob is arguably a local’s favorite for skiing and snowboarders in northwest Michigan. Expect to find terrain that has the size and variety to keep things interesting, but without the trappings and glitz of a full-scale resort. Nubs Nob embraces this role, curating a reputation for excellent grooming, and some of the best glade runs (runs through the trees) in Michigan.
- Looking Ahead: The folks at Nub’s Nob will be installing a new chairlift over the summer of 2023. It will replace the current green lift with significant upgrades. The lift will be built in the USA by Sky Trac.
Nub’s Nob is Nub’s Nob. We try to make it more so rather than bring in novelties that run counter to the vibe and traditions that people love here; that we love too. The terrain is unusually varied for the Midwest, and our two peaks offer slopes facing three different directions so that guests can chase the sun, hide from the wind, and cover new ground over 53 runs. It’s a special place. – Nubs Nob
Shanty Creek Resort
450′ vertical drop, 41 runs, 70 skiable acres, 4 terrain parks. 24% Beginner, 24% Intermediate, 51% Advanced
Conveniently located in Bellaire, just northeast of Traverse City, Shanty Creek Resort is home to a variety of winter experiences for the entire family. The three distinct villages within the resort – Summit, Schuss, and Cedar River – offer everything from downhill to cross country skiing, terrain parks and tubing to please every skill level and thrill seeker.
- Ski and Board tuning center: The Dead On Tuning Center was just added to the Schuss Day Lodge and features state-of-the-art equipment including the Montana Crystal SR automated stone grinder and ceramic disc edger, to make sure skis and snowboards are tuned and ready for the slopes.
- New Winter Infrastructure: When Mother Nature is not cooperating and sending snow from above, the Shanty Creek team is busy making snow. This year to improve snowmaking Shanty Creek has made upgrades to the snowmaking system to ensure when the weather is right, the Shanty Creek snowmaking team will be making snow!
- Improved On-Slope Lighting: Night skiers and boarders will appreciate the improved on-slope lighting systems.
- Extended Dogsledding Opportunities: To add to the outdoor experience, guests can travel along the landscape of Schuss Mountain’s golf course dog sledding with Second Chance Mushers. This winter brings extended ride times, along with the convenience of online booking for dog sled rides.
- Online purchase upgrades: For the ease and convenience of guests, Shanty Creek launched a new sales system for rentals, lift tickets, and passes, for both downhill and cross-country skiing. No need to stand in line, everything can be booked and purchased online. In addition, Shanty Creek is now offering additional merchandise in a new online store.
- Expanded Retail Offerings: Forget your ski socks? Misplace a glove or need a new hat? Shanty Creek has increased retail offerings for just these type of snow emergencies.
- Hotel renovations: Shanty Creek crews were busy last summer with redecoration at The Lakeview Hotel. With clean lines, fresh paint, and new decor the Lakeview Hotel lobby and restaurant offers a new atmosphere for social gatherings and fun while at the resort.
Treetops Resort
225′ vertical drop, 24 runs, 80 skiable acres, 4 terrain parks. 17% Beginner, 49% Intermediate, 39% Advanced
Treetops Resort, located just west of Gaylord, prides itself in being one of the most family friendly options in northern Michigan.
- Package update: Treetops has introduced “COOL SCHOOL: YOUR MID-WEEK GETAWAY,” a program that includes unlimited tubing, ski, snowboarding, snow shoeing, equipment rental, lessons, lodging and breakfast and lunch for the low price of $139 per person per night. Kids 17 and younger are $49 per person.
Cool School is the ultimate winter getaway for families, beginners and those with an adventurous soul. We’ve created an all-inclusive deal packed with unlimited winter fun, lodging and dining, so you can beat the winter blues and be constantly entertained all-day-long. Start the day with a ski lesson, hit a few runs, then head out for cross country skiing and snowshoeing across terrain with some of the greatest views and vistas in Michigan, and then end the day with extreme tubing and ice skating. – Treetops Resort
Upper Peninsula Ski Resort Updates
Snowriver Mountain Resort
Black River Basin: 465′ vertical drop, 25 runs, 170 skiable acres, 1 terrain park. 16% Beginner, 32% Intermediate, 44% Advanced 8% Expert
Jackson Creek Summit: 637′ vertical drop, 32 runs, 240 skiable acres, 1 terrain park. 19% Beginner, 31% Intermediate, 41% Advanced 9% Expert
The big news in the Upper Peninsula is the purchase of Big Snow Resort (formerly consisting of Indianhead Mountain and Black Jack) by the Skinner family, who also own Lutsen in Minnesota and Granite Peak in Wisconsin. The Skinners renamed the resort Snowriver Mountain Resort. Black Jack is now Black River Basin and Indianhead is Jackson Creek Summit.
- Lift pass options: Season Passes offer unlimited visitation for the season to Snowriver. Local resident passes are also available for local community members including those in surrounding counties of northern Wisconsin. Those interested in skiing Snowriver, Lutsen and Granite Peak may also purchase the Legendary Pass which offers skiing and riding at all.
- Looking ahead: Major expansion plans are in the works, including the first high-speed detachable chairlift in the Upper Peninsula. It will also be the only 6-person chairlift in the powder friendly region known as “Big Snow Country.” The new chair will be located at Jackson Creek Summit and construction begins next summer.
- Also Planned: A lift that will connect the two mountains, Jackson Creek Summit and Black River Basin.
Our mission is to provide healthy, outdoor recreation of the highest quality in the Midwest, especially for families. Indianhead was the first ski area in the Upper Peninsula. The staff and previous ownership did a great job combining two ski areas into one and improving operations. Our team is excited to welcome the resort staff to our family of resorts. Snowriver will continue to offer a single lift ticket for the entire resort, and to provide shuttle transportation until a connecting lift is constructed. – Charles Skinner
Marquette Mountain
http://www.marquettemountain.com/
600′ vertical drop, 27 runs, 170 skiable acres, 4 terrain parks. 15% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 35% Advanced
Marquette Mountain resides on the southern side of Marquette, within view of Lake Superior. Like many of the Upper Peninsula resorts, skiers and snowboarders can expect plenty of lake effect fresh and a persistent snow base. A unique feature at Marquette Mountain is a lift-accessed backcountry area with challenging drops and steep terrain. U.S. News & World Report named Marquette Mountain Resort one of the top ski resorts in Michigan, noting its 27 ski trails spanning more than 170 acres of slopes.
In addition to the resort’s expansive offering of ski runs with four chair lifts and 600-foot vertical drops, Marquette Mountain Resort is also home to a collection of distinctive and eccentric art displays.
Unusual for a ski resort is its focus on art, demonstrated through installations like the ‘Guardians of the Hill:’ giant sculptures positioned at the base of the mountain, made from old railroad parts and collectively weighing in at 5 tons. – U.S. News & World Report.
- Infrastructure Updates: Marquette Mountain Resort is readying to unveil its multimillion-dollar improvements in new, state-of-the-art snowmaking infrastructure for improved powder and coverage. The snowmaking upgrades include more than 4,800 feet of water pipe, 5,000 feet of power cables, hydrants and nine permanent fan gun towers that can be operated and monitored remotely.
- Terrain Expansion: Additional skiable terrain was added this summer at mid-mountain and on the East side. It will be exciting to see how the guests use the added acres including another glade and extensions/expansions of 2 other runs. Lights were also added to areas at the top of the mountain to expand night skiing terrain.
- Terrain Parks: Marquette Mountain is adding a beginner progression park to the parks it already builds. Each park will progress the rider through the skills they need to play in the big park.
- Ski School: Marquette Mountain will offer multi-week after school ski and ride programs to local schools that are modeled after their very popular Mountaineer program and is bringing back weekday multi-week group lessons for adults
- Season Pass Perks: Marquette Mountain has reciprocal pass agreements with Mont Ripley, Pine Mountain, The Porkies, and Big Powderhorn. Added this winter are Crystal Mountain and Ski Cooper/Chicago Ridge.
Mont Ripley
https://www.mtu.edu/mont-ripley/
440′ vertical drop, 22 runs, 112 skiable acres, 2 terrain parks. 21% Beginner, 29% Intermediate, 42% Advanced, 8% Expert
Mont Ripley, located in Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula, opened in 1934, making it the oldest ski area in Michigan. Mont Ripley is owned and operated by Michigan Technical University. Students at Michigan Tech ski free as part of their tuition, but Mont Ripley is open to the public as well. Night skiing is available Monday-Saturday from January to March.
Mont Ripley boasted 368 inches of snow last season, and its location in the Keweenaw sets it up for lake effect dumps on a regular basis. In fact, the city of Hancock leads the state of Michigan for snowfall, and the Weather Channel ranks them #3 in the country for snowfall.
Mont Ripley is a very challenging hill, with many runs that we leave ungroomed because they’re too steep for any groomer. We leave those runs for powder, which we get a lot of…the quality of the skiers and snowboarders at Mont Ripley is extremely high because of our difficulty. Our claim to fame is that we are the snowiest city in the Midwest and the third snowiest in the entire country. -Nick Sirdenis, General Manager
- Reopened Terrain: Deer Track Trail and Powder Stash were washed away in a huge 2018 rain deluge that left a 500-foot-long, 300-foot-wide, and 50-foot-deep hole. The resort, which is operated by Michigan Technical University, has worked over the summer to resurrect the popular runs.
Mount Bohemia and Voodoo Mountain
Bohemia: 900′ vertical drop, 102 runs, 585 skiable acres. 0% Beginner, 1% Intermediate, 88% Advanced 11% Expert
Voodoo Mountain: 700′ vertical drop, 26 runs, 200 skiable acres. 0% Beginner, 0% Intermediate, 50% Advanced, 50% Expert
The slogan “No beginners allowed” isn’t just a marketing gimmick. Mount Bohemia has the highest vertical in the state; known for ungroomed, wild, and steep tree runs with cliff drops and deep snow. The word has gotten out on Bohemia, and it is often included on “best of” lists with Rocky Mountain resorts, but the remoteness and limited accommodation options has kept it from becoming completely overrun- for now. Mount Bohemia is lift and shuttle-serviced, while Voodoo Mountain is their cat skiing operation. Accommodations include on-site hostel, yurts, and cabins.
- Restriction for non-pass holders: Saturday morning access to Mount Bohemia is limited to season passholders. If you do not have a season pass, a day ticket may be available for riding between 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On that note, Mount Bohemia’s season pass sale starts on November 24th and ends on December 4th. Get yours by visiting www.mtbohemia.com. In addition to unlimited access to some of the best terrain in the Midwest, a Mount Bohemia Pass provides access to ski days at other participating hills. More information is available on their website.
The best days to ski/ride Bohemia are Monday through Thursday. A powder day during midweek literally means fresh tracks all day long. This year to make it even better we plan on running both chairlifts every day. – Mount Bohemia
Pine Mountain Resort
http://www.pinemountainresort.com/
500′ vertical drop, 27 runs, 160 skiable acres, 3 terrain parks. 20% Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Advanced
Fun fact: Pine Mountain is home to something you won’t normally see at a ski resort; one of the highest artificially created ski jumps in the world. Follow Pine Mountain on Facebook for ski jumping events this winter. New owners purchased Pine Mountain Resort, located in Iron Mountain, in 2017. Since then, significant investment into capital improvements took place for lodging and on-hill experience.
Pine Mountain Resort offers 55 rooms at the base of its ski hill, and the most family friendly resort in the area. We have skiing and lodging to entertain your entire family. All newly remodeled! -Pine Mountain Resort
- Upgrades: Pine Mountain Resort recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation and now offers numerous lodging options to fit every budget.
- Property Management: Pyramid Global Hospitality, a lodging property management company, recently announced that it added Pine Mountain and its sister resort, Four Seasons Island Resort in Pembrine, Wisconsin, to its portfolio. Both resorts are owned by Indianapolis-based Storie Co.
Ski Brule Resort
500′ vertical drop, 17 runs, 150 skiable acres, 3 terrain parks. 35% Beginner, 35% Intermediate, 24% Advanced, 6% Expert
Ski Brule in Iron River is a family-centered resort that has made a commitment to be the first to open (sometimes as early as October) in Michigan because of its location and snowmaking capabilities. The Rapids and Snowshoe Terrain Parks make it a favorite of snowboarders and there’s a Learn To Ride program that’s free for first-timers, age 10 and up. The Homestead Lodge is popular and has the built-in coziness of a family homestead dating to 1891. Expect to find a tubing park on the Whitewater Trail.
- Deal update: Lift tickets will be $70 for adults this season, but skiers and snowboarders who download a Krist Oil app (kristoil.com/ski-brule-adventure) can use it to get $15 off that price to buy tickets in advance. Kids 9 and under ski free with an adult. Polich said Krist Oil has 90 gas stations in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.
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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, and snowshoeing in Michigan and to introduce new individuals to the sport.