Best Ski Resorts in Michigan

Crystal Mountain

Michigan is home to some wonderful ski resorts. Even though people might not associate Michigan with skiing at first glance, there are plenty of ski areas and resorts to choose from. All of the resorts mentioned here differ in terms of size, skiing conditions, and location. However, all of them promise a good time and a comfortable stay. After extensive research, we carefully selected a list of resorts that we believe are the best for this particular area. 

Will you be visiting any of the following resorts in the future? Let’s take a look.

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort

Tucked away in Benzie County, this popular resort is open year-round and it offers various activities on top of skiing like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, hiking, and swimming. It’s a great option for families looking to have a fantastic time on their holiday, equally filled with adventure and relaxation. After you spend the day on the slopes, you can enjoy some of the treatments offered at their luxury spa. The food is highly praised by the visitors, and the staff is extremely helpful and accommodating.

Pros

  • Well-groomed trails
  • Lots of accommodation options
  • Friendly staff
  • Many activities to fill your time with

Pros

  • The grocery stores in the area can be a bit expensive

Famous for: family-friendly, winter-wonderland vibe, many facilities.

Town

Thompsonville is a small town that’s a five-minute drive away from Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, but there are still plenty of things to do and see here. The Iron Fish Distillery is one of the most visited spots in the area. If the weather is nice and you prefer staying outside, then maybe consider visiting the Michigan Legacy Art Park. There are a couple of restaurants you can visit if you feel like staying there for lunch, and afterward, feel free to take a walk on one of the many trails.

Ski terrain

The runs at Crystal Mountain are spread over 103 acres of skiable area. There are 58 runs in total and the longest run is a half a mile long. There are four terrain parks within the area and the snowfall averages around 132 inches. If you enjoy night skiing, then we have good news for you! Out of the 58 runs available, 27 are open for night skiing, five days of the week! Apart from skiing, visitors can also enjoy snowboarding during the winter months.

Crowd Density and Ski Lifts

Crystal Mountain doesn’t get crowded very often, but weekends and the holidays might be an exception. Even if you do visit this resort on a day when it’s more crowded, you have plenty of slopes to choose from, so it won’t feel like there are a lot of people in the area. There are rarely any long lines in front of the lifts.

There are nine lifts in total: one detachable high-speed quad chair, three fixed-grip quad chairs, two triple chairs, one double chair, and two carpet style surface lifts. The price for an all-day ticket for adults is around $80 during the holidays and weekends and around $60 during the weekdays. Children’s tickets cost $65 on Saturday and $45 on regular days.

Accommodation

Apart from various accommodation options, Crystal Mountain offers quite a few lodging packages that are great if you’re on a budget. Some of the most popular lodging options include the Bungalows at Crystal Glen (which can host up to 10 guests), the Cottages at Water’s Edge, and Hamlet.

Verdict

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is a popular option among families. They offer many amenities like a spa, a swimming pool, and many restaurants and lodges – and the atmosphere inside the resort is extremely cozy and welcoming. 

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort

The second ski resort on this list is located in Keweenaw County, Mohawk. Even though it’s a relatively small ski resort, there are still many runs on the property. The mountain provides great terrain for skiing for all levels of expertise, especially if you’re a fan of double black diamonds. On top of that, the staff is extremely friendly and welcoming, which makes for a pleasant environment.

Pros

  • Exceptional staff
  • Great for expert skiers
  • Plenty of activities available for visitors

Pros

  • There aren’t many food options available
  • There aren’t a lot of runs suitable for beginners

Famous for: double black diamonds, friendly staff, many activities to choose from.

Town

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort is located in Keweenaw Peninsula. While this isn’t a really big town, it does suffice for a little change of scenery. You have the option of visiting a few museums, such as the Coppertown USA Mining Museum or the Mineral Museum of Michigan. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the area, so food shouldn’t be a problem for you – Keweenaw Coffee Works, in particular, is known for its tasty coffee. The Keweenaw National Historical Park and the Calumet Waterworks Park are also popular choices for visitors.

Ski Terrain

At Mount Bohemia, there are 95 runs in total, spread over 550 acres of skiable area. As we mentioned earlier, most of these are aimed at intermediate and expert skiers, so keep that in mind if you happen to be new at skiing. The snowfall is 300 inches and night skiing is available on occasional weekends.

Crowd Density and Ski Lifts

Because of the limited terrain for beginners, and its relatively small size, this resort doesn’t get overly crowded. However, due to the fact that there are only two ski lifts available, you might encounter long lines on popular dates and weekends.

There is one triple chair and one double chair. You can find tickets and season passes on their website –  the price for a daily ski lift ticket is around $75.

Accommodation

You can choose between a few lodging places. The most popular resorts are Aqua Lakeshore and Inn on Lac Labelle. You also have the option of renting a cabin during your stay. It’s important to mention that these places often offer packages or discounts on special dates, so make sure you keep an eye out for those kinds of deals before making your reservation.

Verdict

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort is an amazing option for a little holiday, especially if you aren’t new to skiing. One of the things you need to keep in mind if you’re planning on visiting Mount Bohemia is that you need to book your accommodation on time since it’s likely to sell out. Other than that, expect to have a really fun skiing getaway.

Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort

Caberfae Peaks will provide both skiers and snowboarders the chance to practice their skills on the beautiful slopes. The exact location of this resort is Lower Peninsula, and there is around 225 acres of skiable downhill area. Since there are several restaurants nearby, you won’t have to worry about dining. The resort is open year-round, and it hosts large gatherings and weddings as well. The view from the mountain top is gorgeous, so it’s no secret why so many people are drawn to this place.

Pros

  • Open year-round
  • Extremely affordable prices
  • Diverse terrain

Pros

  • Some of the slopes can be difficult for skiing

Famous for: diversity in terms of terrain, affordable prices, fun for everyone.

Town

Cadillac, Michigan is the nearest town to Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort. If you’re traveling by car, it will take you approximately 25 minutes to arrive here. It’s a pretty small city in terms of size, but it has some gorgeous natural sights that you simply can’t miss while you’re there. For instance, the William Mitchell State Park and the Hurron-Manistee National Forests are major attractions and definitely worth a visit. For anyone that likes history, make sure you add the Wexford County Historical Museum to your itinerary.

Ski Terrain

The ski terrain at Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort is diverse in nature, so regardless of your previous skiing experience, you’re bound to find runs that work well for you. There are 34 runs in total, the longest of which is 3,960 feet. The snowfall is 125 inches and there is night skiing available on selected slopes. Beginners also have the option of taking skiing lessons in order to ease their way into the world of skiing.

Crowd Density and Ski Lifts

Even though the resort is smaller in size than some other resorts available in Michigan, it doesn’t really attract large crowds of people. You might encounter more people than you’re used to during the weekends, but it’s never to the point of being uncomfortable or overly crowded.

There are five lifts in total: four chair lifts and one surface lift. The lift capacity is 9,207 skiers for an hour. You can find the prices for the tickets on their website and they go as follows: an all-day ticket costs $39 for adults, $34 for teens, $29 for juniors, and $5 for children under 8.

Accommodation

In terms of accommodation, the most affordable option is to get your hands on an available package. If there are no packages available for your dates, you will still get a great deal. The lodging rates differ depending on when you’re visiting, but just to give you an idea, the Mackenzie lodge charges around $100 per night for the weekends, and around $80 per night for weekdays. You have the option of choosing two double bed or king rooms, with or without a balcony view.

Verdict

Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort is a family-friendly resort with a long history of making its visitors happy. It’s appropriate for every level of skiing and the prices for both ski lift tickets and lodging are quite affordable.

Nub’s Nob Ski Area

Unlike the previous resort we recommended, this one is perfect for people who are just entering the world of skiing for the first time. Here you can take skiing lessons and practice your skills on many of the slopes which are specifically designed for beginners. In terms of location, Nub’s Nob is located in the township of Pleasantview near Harbor Springs. One thing to keep in mind before making your reservation is the fact that this place has only a few runs designed for expert skiers, so someone who has had a lot of experience on the slopes might find it a bit unchallenging.

Pros

  • Amazing for beginners
  • Great ski instructors and staff
  • The cafeteria food is really good
  • Lots of snow

Pros

  • Some areas of the resort don’t have access to wi-fi

Famous for: beginner-friendly, nice ski hills and snowboarding areas.

Town

As you know by now, Harbor Springs is the nearest town to this particular ski resort. There are many sights to add to your itinerary if you do decide to visit this place. The Tunnel of Trees is particularly mesmerizing, especially when the weather is nice. The Throne Swift Nature Preserve, the Pleasantview Vineyards and Winery, and the Pond Hill Farm Winery are also popular tourist destinations.

Ski Terrain

There are 53 runs in total, spread over a skiable area of 248 acres. The longest run is 0.87 miles long, and the top elevation is 1,338 feet. There are a couple of terrain parks in the area, and you also enjoy night skiing. The snowfall averages around 123 inches. The terrain is especially great for beginners who want to practice their skiing.

Crowd Density and Ski Lifts

There aren’t many crowds at Nub’s Nob Ski Area, so if you’re usually bothered by large groups of people or long ski lines, you won’t have anything to worry about.

There are ten ski lifts in total: three quad chairlifts, four triple chairlifts, two double chairlifts, and one surface lift. The lift capacity is 18,275 skiers per hour. The daily ticket rates, as shown on their official website, are $88 for adults during holidays and Saturday, $76 for teens and seniors, and $65 for children aged 9-12. Children under 8 and seniors over 70 can get tickets for free.

Accommodation

You have the option of choosing between a few hotels and rentals, most of which are located around the ski area, so you won’t have to worry about walking a long distance to reach the slopes. Some of the most booked options include the Harbor Springs Condo ($300 per night), the Boyne Highlands Resort, the Best Western of Harbor Springs, and a couple more private rentals.

Verdict

Nub’s Nob Ski Area is an incredible place to visit if one of the members of your group is new to skiing. They offer plenty of amenities and great skiing conditions, so you will have everything you need for an amazing skiing holiday.

Ski Brule Resort

Ski Brule is the perfect match for people who are traveling with families and who want a smaller resort that’s easy to navigate. It has an above-average skiing season that begins in October and lasts until March. There is plenty of snow around and the skiing conditions are amazing. Apart from skiing, there are many activities to choose from, such as biking and jumping. Beginners have the option of taking skiing lessons led by incredible instructors, so everyone is covered at Ski Brule. Other than skiing, you also have the option of snowboarding.

Pros

  • Stunning scenery
  • Affordable prices for lift tickets and accommodation
  • The staff is welcoming and friendly

Pros

  • Some of the accommodations are a bit dated

Famous for: kid-friendly, well-groomed runs, good staff.

Town

Iron River, Michigan, is the closest town to Ski Brule Resort. Even though it’s not a big area by any means, you can still visit it for a little change of scenery. For shopping, head over to Prints Charming. If you’re feeling like having something warm for lunch, make sure you visit the Kermit’s Pizza and Grill. During the summer, another popular venue is the Young’s Golf Recreation Dining.

Ski Terrain

The ski terrain at Ski Brule Resort is diverse enough so that everyone can find a slope they’re comfortable on skiing. Expert skiers won’t need to worry since there are one double black diamond and three black diamonds available on the ski area. The terrain spreads over 30 acres, and the rest of the terrain is designed for intermediate and beginner skiers. The skiing conditions are awesome, and the slopes are well-maintained and groomed.

Crowd Density and Ski Lifts

There aren’t large crowds at Ski Brule Resort. Since the resort is quite small, it might feel like there are a lot of people present sometimes, so if you think this will be a problem for you, then it’s best to choose another resort from the list.

There are many lifts that cover the ski area. As per usual, you can purchase the tickets from their official website, where you can also get your hands on incredible deals and save some cash. They offer packages and specials regularly, so make sure you check their website prior to visiting the resort. Some of the specials include half-price tickets on Wednesdays and free tubing and kids lunch on Sundays.

Accommodation

As far as accommodation goes, there are several places that are perfectly adequate for your stay. For instance, the Timber Lodge, the Big Bear Bottom, the Heaven’s Window, and the Pioneer suites are all popular among new and returning visitors. The rooms are comfortable, and most of these resorts have gorgeous views of the surrounding area.

Verdict

Ski Brule Resort is quite a small resort that’s a bit more secluded than the rest. That being said, it’s an amazing option for those who are looking to have a tranquil holiday in a smaller resort that has a cozy atmosphere.

Article by:
Abby Ward
Senior Content Writer at Bluehouse
Last Updated March 2024