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| Schuss Mountain, part of Shanty Creek Resorts, is a great family destination with accomodations both on-slope and chalets off. |
More supplemental snow and more fun await skiers returning to Michigan’s 40-plus downhill ski areas when the white stuff starts flying sometime between now and December.
Capitalizing on two great winters, and with predictions of heavy north country snow due to near-record high water temperatures in Lakes Michigan and Superior (cold winds whipping over the warm water will quickly soak up moisture from the lakes, dumping it when they make landfall in the form of snow), resorts are hoping to build more ring into cash registers, and are reporting some major improvements.
Major developments include the return of Bessemer’s BlackJack Resort to the downhill scene. In its second winter of new ownership, the resort is a favorite of skiers heading the U.P. in search of what may be the closest runs and scenery to Rocky Mountain skiing in Michigan, outside of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s Mount Bohemia. At Bohemia, season passes purchased on Dec. 4 are just $99.
Here’s a brief regional rundown of some of the other major additions you’ll find once the chairlifts start humming again:
Southeast Michigan—Alpine Valley, in the White Lake/Milford area, increased its snowmaking capacity, enlarged its terrain parks, and will offer all new rental skis.
Mount Brighton Ski & Golf, just west of Brighton, is adding new “progressive” terrain parks with lots of tricks, and all served by two surface tows and one chair lift.
Pine Knob, near Clarkston, is lowering its energy costs and footprint by installing new lighting, energy-efficient glass and door vapor barriers. It also changed one chair lift to allow it to run at variable speeds to handle crowds more efficiently.
Mount Holly, near Holly, added a three-story foyer to its lodge, a heated patio and outdoor fireplace, expanded its snowboard park, and added 12 new snow guns.
Northwest Michigan--The big boys on the block, Boyne Resorts, always have something new planned each season.
There are 90 new Boyne Low-E snow guns in place at both mountains. The new snowmakers are about 40 percent more efficient at making what Boyne says is a fluffier, lighter more natural snow.
Boyne Highlands has opened additional glade skiing near North Peak and Tournament pass. Riders will see 30 percent more rails and jibs at both ski areas. And for your apres-ski fun, try the twin ziplines at the Highlands and the Mountain. Boyne Highlands is 1,3500 feet, longest in the region, while Boyne Mountain’s is 780 feet.
At the cafeteria, both resorts have turned green, swapping out throw-away products for dishwasher flatware, reducing waste by up to 70 percent. Recycling bins are now in place, and both are using post-consumer waste napkins.
Caberfae Peaks and Golf Resort, near Cadillac, committed to snowmaking this winter with 15 new tower snowmakers, two portable snow machines, plus five new air/water snowguns, fed by 1,000-plus feet of piping.
Caberfae widened one trail and added two boxes to its terrain park. Children aged 17 and under sleep and ski free Monday through Thursday with two paying adults, except for some holidays. Purchase a season pass here and also ski at Shanty Creek resorts for just $10 Sunday through Thursday, $25 Friday and Saturday.
Nub’s Nob, across the street from Boyne Highlands, opens a new race arena ski slope, replacing its superpipe, creating a home for future racers. It also replaced a handle tow with a faster rope tow to service the hill. Nub’s also added eight snow guns and a new groomer. It expanded its terrain park, adding new boxes and other tricks, plus a new jump area.
Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire opens two new runs on Schuss Mountain’s north face, winding through the woods. Boarders will find a new natural terrain park. The slopes at Shanty Creek also will be open for night skiing on Fridays. And, if you’re into sardines, pack as many as you can into your vehicle and pay only $100 to get everyone inside a lift ticket at Schuss between Jan. 8 and Feb. 5. On Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 17, pay only $90 per carload. And on Jan. 22, sample local and other microbrewed beers at the Beer and Boards Festival.
Southwest Michigan—Near Grand Rapids, Cannonsburg, near Cannonsburg, also is under new management, and they’ve added a marital twist: book your wedding reception for 125 guests or more and get free season passes.
Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area in Jones reports adding more snowmaking as well.
East Michigan—Hanson Hills, near Grayling, offers a $1 lift ticket and rental every Friday night.
Treetops Resort, east of Gaylord, gets a new manager, Barry Owens, formerly of Garland Resort near Lewiston, who is sure to make your experience here even better. Treetops also extended a tow rope so skiers have a lower start at the bottom of the hill, and its popular “Yard” terrain park is back, with plenty of tabletops and rails for both skiers and boarders to try. Treetops also has rentals for snowblading and cross-country skiing on nearby trails.
Otsego Club, a public-private facility depending on when you visit near Treetops, will again host World Cup snowboard teams training there from around the world. Last year, the club built a second-to-none half-pipe training area that attracted teams from across the globe, in a big coups for the facility.
Otsego also offers more winter fun, with snowmobile rentals, snowcat rides, sledding and the like. Check its website for when the public can ski this private club.
Upper Peninsula—Besides the return of Blackjack and, plus the new season pass price at Bohemia, other U.P. developments include Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain, which has added a paddle tow for its terrain park so boarders no longer have to risk tearing up gloves on a rope tow.
Pine Mountain also added a rope tow to its beginner area, and a new run.
Ski Brule, near Iron River, is offering a deal for ski clubs and groups: purchase six lift tickets at $30 each and get the seventh free.
Marquette Mountain, near Marquette, opens a new terrain park. Mount Zion, the community ski hill near Ironwood, offers free skiing to all Gogebic Community College students and to anyone aged 62 and over.
If you’re a fan of both Mount Bohemia and Porcupine Mountains ski area, you can ski both all season long for just $124. Mount Bohemia, north of Houghton in the Keweenaw Peninsula, has what’s considered some of the toughest terrain in the Midwest. Most of it is ungroomed, tree skiing.
We’ll report soon on what’s in store for cross-country skiers.
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