It’s not simply the Great Lakes that make Michigan one of America’s hidden gems. There are several destinations to select from that are ideal for skiers of any skill level, making it a fantastic place to go skiing as well. In Michigan, there is a ski resort for everyone, novice or experienced. In this article, we’ll examine the finest ski resorts in Michigan and what makes them unique.
#1. Boyne Resort
This is one of the best ski resorts to visit in Michigan. Boyne, which consists of the two mountains Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands, is the most well-known resort in Michigan. There are more than 115 paths totaling more than 400 acres on both mountains. The first high-speed, six-person chairlift in America is located at Boyne Mountain, and the first four-person chairlift in Michigan is located at Boyne Highlands.
Moreover, the SnowSports Academy, free novice ski and snowboard areas, 35+ kilometers of cross-country and snowshoe paths, and overnight accommodations are all present on both mountains. There are also 11 terrain parks on both mountains. Boyne Highland and Boyne Mountain Resort have joined the Ikon Pass ski resort network as of the 2018–19 ski season. Other “stay-and-ski” packages, day passes, and standard season passes are also offered.
Read Also: FAMILY WEEKEND GETAWAYS IN MICHIGAN: Top 15 Getaways
#2. Ski Brule
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there is a family-friendly mountain resort called Ski Brule that offers skiing and snowboarding for people of all ages and skill levels. Three snowboarding parks offer a variety of terrain, from smaller boxes and broader rails to pitches of different widths to challenging woodland sections. With 150 acres of accessible terrain, 11 lifts, and 17 ski trails, the resort receives 150 inches of snow per year.
Up to six beds are available in 15 distinct on-site chalets at Brule Village, some of which have saunas, private hot tubs, and wood or gas fires. For a simple and enjoyable afternoon of leisurely sliding down the slopes, consider using the resort’s Homestead Snow Tubing Park. Summertime activities available in Brule include kayaking, fishing, golfing, and more.
#3. Crystal Mountain
In the US and Canada, Crystal Mountain has earned a spot on lists of the top 10 family ski resorts, joining powerhouses like Steamboat Springs in Colorado and Deer Valley in Utah. Luxury cabins are available at the resort’s ski-in/ski-out base, along with free family campfires, a family-friendly indoor pool, fat-tire snowcat biking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, as well as a LEED-certified 18,500-square-foot spa. Nine lifts provide access to 58 tracks on the slopes, including 27 that are lit for night skiing. Six glade areas and three terrain sections are also present at the resort.
#4. Mount Bohemia
The Michigan ski resort of Mount Bohemia is only for expert skiers and features off-piste terrain, exposed rock formations, and steep slopes. There are two chairlifts, a 900-foot vertical drop, and 585 acres of skiable terrain. Due to the lake effect in the area, the Keweenaw Peninsula region averages 273 inches of snow every year. Cat skiing, where a snowcat vehicle transports a group of skiers to a remote location, is the local specialty.
The Nordic spa or the snowshoe and cross-country ski tracks can be a better choice if you aren’t an experienced skier. At Mount Bohemia, yoga and wellness retreats take place during the warmer months.
Read Also: THINGS TO DO IN COLD SPRING NY: Top 12 Locations in Cold Spring NY
#5. Nub’s Nob Ski Area
For those wishing to gain their ski legs for the first time before traveling west, Nub’s Nob Ski Area is the place to go. Only a small portion of the routes are designated as the most difficult, with 30% of the trails designated as the easiest and 50% more as intermediate. There is a free beginning area with a chairlift for complete beginners; children eight years of age and under and those who are 70 or older ski for free. On the gently flowing routes at Pintail Peak, skiing is enjoyable.
The Nub’s Nob Ski Area has increased its snowmaking operations and the number of snowcats it has available for making corduroy in recent years. A two-kilometer snowshoe track is also available for uphill skiers to use to reach the Arena Glades without using a lift. It is truly one of the most amazing ski resorts in Michigan.
#6. Pine Mountain
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there is a family-friendly ski resort called Pine Mountain. There are more than 30 trails there, a terrain park, and night skiing. Many people consider its ski jump to be among the best in the world. The Kiwanis Ski Club holds Jump Weekend every February, where world-class jumpers have broken multiple records.
The resort is now undergoing a multi-million dollar makeover as a result of a change in ownership in 2018. Both the freshly refurbished trailside condos at the Cedar Haus and the recently renovated rooms at the Lodge at Pine Mountain are available to overnight guests.
#7. Big Snow Resort
With a single ticket, visitors to Big Snow Resort in northwest Michigan can ski and snowboard down Indianhead and Blackjack mountains. A magic carpet is one of the lifts, and beginners can take terrain-based training. Around New Year’s, night skiing is also accessible for a limited time. Snow offers huge pleasure in the form of swimming, snowshoeing, yoga, snowmobiling, or hiking to waterfalls for people who aren’t going skiing.
Up to 14 people can stay in guest rooms, private condos, and chalets that can be rented. Recent evaluations of the hotel have been divided, with some praising the retro style and others complaining that it needs to be updated.
#8. Shanty Creek Resort
Schuss Mountain and Summit Mountain, the two separate ski areas at Shanty Creek Resort, together include 53 runs. It has three terrain parks, tubing, fat tire biking, and 30 kilometers of Nordic ski slopes that have been groomed and set up with tracks. Daily lift tickets range from $67 (weekday) to $89 (weekend) for the 2022–2023 ski season. In addition, the resort provides “Ski-and-Stay” packages, discounted lift tickets for night skiing, and Rossignol rental equipment. The resort has updated its rental inventory to include the newest Rossignol gear.
#9. Marquette Mountain Resort
Marquette Mountain is one of the well-liked ski resorts in Michigan, with views of Lake Superior, is a four-season day resort near Marquette, Michigan. It provides 25 ski tracks across 170 acres of slopes and focuses on art with exhibits such as “Guardians of the Hill.” Snow enthusiasts can access the peak’s 1,275-foot summit through four lifts with 500-foot vertical drops.
Visitors can benefit from a downhill bike park with trails for all levels of mountain biking expertise during the summer. Everyone congregates at the T-Bar to toast each other or unwind over a meal. Marquette Mountain is not a place to spend the night, but there are several hotels and motels nearby.
Read Also: TOP SKI RESORTS IN PA: 19 Top-Rated Resorts
#10. Caberfae Peaks
In the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, close to Cadillac, Caberfae Peaks receives a lot of lake effect snow each year. With 34 named ski slopes and a 485-foot elevation drop, the resort accommodates skiers of all skill levels, with a focus on beginning and intermediate routes. The Mackenzie Lodge, located at the foot of the mountain, has 39 slope-side rooms as well as a sizable outdoor heated pool and hot tub. For an economical family vacation, Caberfae Peaks’ Stay-and-Ski special packages are ideal.
#11. Treetops Resort
While the 81 holes and award-winning collection of top-rated courses at Treetops Resort in north-central Michigan are impressive, its ski resort comes to life in the winter. An iconic Treetops event called The Skiable Feast combines cross-country skiing with food and drink stations for a wintertime dine-around. Tickets for the Skiable Feast are included in packages that also include an overnight stay at the resort.
Condos, cottages, the inn, and the main Treetops Lodge, which has an indoor/outdoor pool, are all available for guests to stay in. A full-service spa provides everything from lash extensions to body massages and blowouts. Previous visitors advised making early reservations for dog sledding because it does sell out.
#12. Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort
The Upper Peninsula’s Big Powderhorn ski area is a favorite because it offers terrain for skiers of all skill levels. There are 45 named trails at the ski resort, which has more than 250 skiable acres and includes everything from bunny hills to difficult black diamond runs like “Cannonball” and “Don’t Chute.” The variety of routes is served by nine twin chairlifts.
The Caribou Lodge at Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers accommodations close to the slopes. The lodge’s private pool and sauna are open to overnight visitors without charge. A lunch or après-ski can be had at the Caribou Lodge while still being close to the slopes. The lodge’s menu includes hot sandwiches, pasta, and surf and turf.
#13. The Highlands at Harbour Springs
The ski-in/ski-out main lodge at The Highlands at Harbor Springs in northern Michigan is modeled after English country estates. There are four golf courses, a seasonal dinner theater, and more than 50 groomed downhill runs for skiing. The resort has 435 acres of skiable terrain, a 552-foot vertical drop, and an average annual natural snowfall of 140 inches.
Additionally, it provides five snowboarding terrain parks, a mountain bike park, a kids’ adventure camp, horseback riding, hiking, a zip line, and evening outdoor movies. The Highlands at Harbor Springs is a fantastic all-inclusive resort with outstanding vistas and above-and-beyond service, according to recent reviews.
#14. Porcupine Mountains Ski Area
In the Upper Peninsula, visitors have the option to “ski the Porkies” at the Porcupine Mountains Ski Area. It is independent and situated inside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. For less than $50, adults can enjoy more than 250 acres of skiable terrain with a lift ticket good for a whole day. The Porkies offer skiers of all skill levels viable slopes, from straightforward groomers to challenging backcountry lines. The region also boasts a noteworthy winter calendar full of activities, including the Snowburst Winter Carnival, which concludes with a fireworks display that illuminates the gloomy winter night.
#15. Bittersweet Ski and Snowboard Resort
This is also one of the top ski resorts you should visit in Michigan. In the Kalamazoo River Valley of Michigan, there is a seasonal resort called Bittersweet that focuses on snowboarding and skiing. It offers 20 lines, seven lifts, two “wonder carpets,” and two rope tows. The inside lodge also houses a restaurant, a bar, and a full-service ski shop. The property does not have any lodging, but there are a number of options nearby, such as the Four Points by Sheraton in Kalamazoo or the Castle in the Country Bed & Breakfast Inn, which is less than 10 miles away.
Read Also: TOP FAMILY SKI RESORTS IN VERMONT: 12 Top-Rated Resorts
#16. Mount Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort
Mount Holly is located about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit in Southeast Michigan’s Groveland Valley. The ski area is renowned for its lengthy season and condensed selection of lines, many of which are designed for more experienced or intermediate skiers. Seven chairlifts and two rope tows are used to access the total of 16 courses on Mount Holly. The resort’s 350-foot elevation drop provides short but exciting approaches to the bottom. Additionally, since the entire mountain can receive artificial snow, there are always new tracks to be made.
On the mountain, novices can also have fun. Easy runs next to the main mountain are accessible by two rope tows and a magic carpet. Before attempting the more difficult slopes, you should practice in this beginner’s section.
#17. Hanson Hills Recreation Area
A 1,000-acre family sports park called Hanson Hills is located in Grayling, Michigan. It includes 20 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails, a terrain park for snowboarding, 11 downhill ski courses, and snow tubing. Visitors can engage in disc golf, softball, biking, and hiking during the summer. Around 1929, it opened as the first downhill skiing area in Michigan and the second in the Midwest. Youth winter programs offer a wide range of academies, skill schools, and race teams for activities including skiing, snowboarding, and even archery.
All year long, activities such as Easter egg hunts are held here. Excellent customer service that takes into account the needs of those with impairments. Nearby are Paddle Hard Brewing and a Ramada by Wyndham Hotel.
Is Skiing Popular in Michigan?
You can choose from a wide variety of excellent locations in Michigan to hit the slopes. Given that Michigan has the second-most ski resorts in the US, it can be understood why Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Nick Baumgartner and Olympic skier Winter Vinecki are Michigan natives.
What Month is Best to Ski in Michigan?
The typical opening and closing dates for ski resorts in Michigan are late November and mid-April. However, February is the finest month in the state for skiing and snowboarding because it has the most snowfall.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Michigan?
Between May and October is the ideal time to explore Michigan. This is when Michigan experiences its spring and fall seasons, making it the perfect time to take advantage of the state’s abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities.