Did you know that Michigan ranks in the top three states with the most ski resorts? In fact, it comes in second place right behind New York with over 40 ski resorts. Many of these resorts are actually found in the Lower Peninsula and are probably just a short drive away from your home. Downhill skilling and snowboarding are great activities to experience Michigan in the winter season. Whether you are a beginner or have been skiing for years, each ski area offers different hills for all skill levels. So, pack up your warmest gear and get ready to hit the slopes at one of these ski hills in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Eastern Michigan
Alpine Valley
Located in White Lake, Michigan is Alpine Valley. This ski area offers a variety of different terrain for all ski levels including beginner, intermediate, and advanced. They also provide lessons, including an after-school program for kids. If you are a snowboarder, Alpine Valley also features different terrain parks to practice all your jumps at.
Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort
This beautiful ski resort is in Groveland Township near Holly. It is one of Southeast Michigan’s larger ski resorts and they are celebrating 61 years of service this year. The ski area features 7 chairlifts, 4 rope tows, and two SunKid Wonder Carpets to get you back up on the slopes more quickly. With 20 trails that range from beginner to advanced and 3 snowboard parks, you’ll never get tired out on their terrain. Mt. Holly also features a beautiful Bavarian lodge with two cafeterias and a fireplace room where you can rest and recover. Or, take in the views of outside by sitting on their 4,200 square foot heated paver patio with a fireplace.
Mt. Brighton
Skiers and snowboarders across Michigan and throughout other Midwestern states come to ski at this popular Ski Resort. Given its name, Mt. Brighton is located in Brighton. It features 130 different skiable acres including 25 trails and a terrain park. Mt. Brighton has also recently gone through a big transformation in 2013 and 2014 offering a completely new guest experience. They have updated chairlifts, enhanced learning terrain, a new powerful state-of-the-art snowmaking system, a children’s ski and ride school center, and much more. There is so much to experience at Mt. Brighton that you might not be able to tackle it all in one day.
West Michigan
Timber Ridge
Locate near Kalamazoo in Gobles, Michigan is this fun ski area. In addition to 16 skiing trails and 8 lifts, Timber Ridge also offers snow tubing. It is a ski area that offers something for everyone. If you are looking for a place to rest throughout the day there is a lodge that serves delicious meals, drinks, and quick treats. Timber Ridge also typically holds a Winterfest event each year in February where there is music, food, drinks, and fun activities.
Cannonsburg
Located in Belmont is Cannonsburg Ski Area. It features 21 runs that range from beginner to advance, 9 ski lifts and two Magic Carpets. It also features fast and fun tubing lanes for ages 11 and older. If it’s your family’s first time skiing, they also offer group lessons as well as private lessons. Additionally, the ski area features winter trails that are open for fat biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more winter activities. There is truly something for everyone at this ski area.
Bittersweet Ski Area
Bittersweet Ski Area is located in Otsego and features 20 different runs of fun that range from beginner to most difficult. The area also has 12 different lifts including chairlifts, tow ropes, and WonderCarpets for beginners. Snowboarders can have fun on their terrain park and are also welcome on all the slopes.
Northern Michigan
Caberfae Peaks
Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort has some of the longest and best ski runs in the Great Lakes. Located just 12 miles west of Cadillac, the resort features 17 different trails to run through. Their trails range from easy to most difficult, and there are various jumps and terrains throughout. This year they also recently renovated the learn-to-ski beginner area with a brand new Green Mountain Flying Carpet lift. Caberfae also offers lodging at their Mackenzie Lodge that is right at the base of the slopes for easy ski-in and ski-out accessibility. It also features an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and fire pit.
Boyne Mountain
If you are looking for a winter getaway, Boyne Mountain is one of the biggest ski resorts in Northern Michigan. With 60 trails, 12 lifts, and 415 skiable areas, you’ll probably need more than one day to do it all. Boyne Mountain is located in Charlevoix County and offers more than just ski slopes. After you hit the slopes, you can go cross-country skiing, fat tire snow biking, horseback riding, ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, and even ziplining. Lodging can also be found throughout at the resort in their lodge, villas, cabins, or condos.
Mt. Holiday
This ski area is located in Traverse City and offers 14 trails for skiing and snowboarding, as well as five lifts. Mt. Holiday also features a snow tubing run and a terrain park. If you need a break from the slopes, make sure to check out their T-Bar Lounge that offers a variety of delicious meals and drinks. Group or private ski lessons are also available at Mt. Holiday. This ski area does not offer lodging, but there are countless hotels and lodges to check out throughout Traverse City. You might as well make a weekend out of this trip to check out all the Traverse City wineries, shopping, and other outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing on the TART trail.
The places listed above are only a few of the best places to go skiing and snowboarding in Michigan’s lower peninsula. For a full list of ski hills in Michigan make sure to check out this website that lists all of Michigan’s ski resorts throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsula.
