Face it… winter is on its way! The last day of summer was September 21st and this year it brought snow to many western resorts. Beaver Creek, Keystone, A-basin and Aspen all announced the first snowfall of the season on 9/21/09, ironic? Perhaps! With fall weather in full swing, winter is fast approaching and we know many of you are getting pumped for the 09/10 season. Wondering what’s happening at all the resorts across Michigan? Our friends over at the Michigan Snowsports Industry Association (MSIA) have gathered up that information and we’re posting it here for you to check out.
Alpine Valley – White Lake, MI
Alpine Valley is one of the Metro Detroit area ski areas that made snowmaking improvements over the summer. Ladies ski for just $24 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (during the day, excluding holiday weeks) and men get the same discount on Wednesdays. (248) 887-2180, www.skialpinevalley.com
Apple Mountain – Freeland, MI
Apple Mountain offers an added benefit to purchasing a season pass there: holders receive 50% off daily lift passes at Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort in Cadillac and Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. Apple Mountain season passes go on sale October 1 at a discount if purchased by October 31. (989) 781-6789, www.applemountain.com
Bittersweet – Otsego, MI
Bittersweet is increasing snowmaking and adding more lights for night skiing. Over the summer, earth movers were up on the hill, widening the slope at the top. (269) 694-2032 www.skibittersweet.com
Boyne Mountain and Boyne Higlands – Boyne Falls/Harbor Springs, MI
Boyne Mountain of Boyne Falls and Boyne Highlands of Harbor Springsare offering Lift and Lodging Packages, starting at $79 per person per night-based on double occupancy per hotel room. Only 20 packages each night will be available at this discounted rate, which includes lodging at either Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain, an unlimited lift ticket, breakfast and tubing. Plus, when staying with parents, children 8 years and younger sleep, ski/ride and eat breakfast free and juniors ages 9-15 can do the same for an additional $19. For reservations, call 1-800-GO-BOYNE (462-6963) or reserve online at www.BOYNE.com. Blackout dates are December 26-January 3, February 12-15, March 14-19 and any dates Boyne has sold the 20-package limit. , 1-800-GO-BOYNE, www.boyne.com
Caberfae – Cadillac, MI
The commitment to making premium-quality snow continues at Cadillac’s, Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort, with the addition of a 300-horsepower, 1000-gallon-per-minute, vertical turbine snowmaking pump, which increases the overall pumping capacity by 50 percent, while consuming less energy. In addition, Caberfae Peaks acquired two more snow guns, bringing the fleet total to 108.
Caberfae Peaks is also offering special prices on season passes if purchased by October 31. Weekend passes are $99 and are valid every Saturday and Sunday. Midweek passes are also $99 and are valid Monday through Friday. Peak Passes are $198 and are valid any day, any time. Child passes are $10 for children 8 years of age and under. Plus, Caberfae Peaks season pass holders can ski at Shanty Creek Resorts for just $9 Sunday through Friday and $19 on Saturdays and holidays. (231) 862-3000, www.caberfaepeaks.com
Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa – Thompsonville, MI
At Crystal Mountain Resort, winter guests can enjoy the Crystal Spa, a $4 million, 13,000-square-foot expansion to the existing indoor pool and fitness center. The Crystal Spa is a LEED-certified facility, which means it went through a rigorous, verification program to certify that it is environmentally responsible and healthy. Houseguests receive a $25 gift certificate (on purchases of $100 or more) to the Crystal Spa.
Crystal has also introduced a new vacation package called the Pure Michigan Winter Family Vacation. With prices from $139 per adult, per night, children 8 and under sleep and ski free (kids 9-17 from $39). The package includes: nightly lodging, 9-9 lift tickets, cross country trail passes, downhill ski rental or two-hour group ski or snowboard lesson, ice skate rentals, the use of hockey sticks and puck, cross country ski and snowshoe rentals, family rink-side bonfire, Birds of Prey program, Snowmonsters story time, face painting, family bingo, movie night, scavenger hunt, snowman search, unlimited use of the Peak Pool & Fitness Center and outdoor hot tub, fitness classes (18 and older), yoga, water aerobics and spa discounts.
In celebration of the 2010 Winter Games, Crystal Mountain is partnering with Traverse City Paintball for the First Annual Paintball Biathlon, Saturday, January 16. The 3 km course will be set on the Outer Otter cross-country trail and feature paintball shooting ranges. Speed and marksmanship is equally important as competitors reduce their overall time with each hit target. 1-800-YOUR-MTN, www.crystalmountain.com
The Homestead Resort – Glen Arbor, MI
To round out the resort’s commitment to overall health and wellness, The Homestead Resort of Glen Arbor, opened a new, state-of-the-art fitness facility this past summer. New Leaf Health and Fitness boasts sophisticated equipment from industry leader, Life Fitness. New Leaf Fitness and the resort’s new Spa Amira (opened in 2007) provide for interesting and creative health and fitness programs which focus on Leelanau’s unique natural landscape in all seasons. (231) 334-5000, www.thehomesteadresort.com
Indianhead Mountain – Wakefield, MI
Indianhead Mountain Ski Resort of Wakefield, turns 50 this year. To celebrate they are offering a pre-Christmas 50th Anniversary Special. Valid opening day to Christmas, (12/25/09), purchase a 2-day adult lift ticket for just $50, a $38 discount. (906) 229-5181, www.indianheadmtn.com
Marquette Mountain – Marquette, MI
Marquette Mountain of Marquette, offers Family Frolic Days. On Sundays after 1 p.m., three lift tickets can be purchase for $59, with an on-line coupon and when at least one adult is in the group. Tickets for additional family members are just $15 each. Saturday night is College Night. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. lift tickets are $17 and include rentals if needed. Friday night is Date Night, where guests can buy one lift ticket for $25 and get one free beginning at 4:00 p.m. (906) 225-1155, www.marquettemountain.com
Mont Ripley – Houghton, MI
Michigan Technological University, the owner of Mont Ripley, is repeating a program called “Experience Michigan Tech,” which allows Michigan Tech students to ski and board all season at Mont Ripley with their student ID. Rental equipment is not included. In addition, two slopes have been lit for night skiing, making Mont Ripley’s slopes 100% night-skiing ready. As with most other Michigan ski areas, Mont Ripley has invested in additional snowmaking equipment.(906) 487-2340, www.skimontripley.com
Mt. Bohemia – Lac La Belle, MI
Mt. Bohemia in the UP’s Keweenaw Peninsula, is cutting two new expert glade runs through their mountainous terrain. A glade run is a treed slope, where skiers maneuver around trees and other natural obstacles. Mt Bohemia will hold a $99 season pass sale on Dec 5. The ski area is offering a special lodging deal for its yurts and cabins. Lodgers stay free Wednesday night when they purchase two other consecutive nights. Yurts are circular, domed tent-like dwellings. The yurts sleep five, are heated, and have bathrooms and electricity. (906) 360-7240, www.mtbohemia.com
Mt. Brighton – Brighton, MI
Mt. Brighton built more rails and boxes for the terrain park, to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for snowboarding excitement. (810) 229-9581, www.mtbrighton.com
Mt. Holiday – Traverse City, MI
The restoration of Mt. Holiday, entered Phase II with the upgrading of lights, snowmaking and parking. The completion of the new kitchen has opened opportunities for banquets, receptions and meeting facilities for guests. (231) 938-2500, www.mt-holiday.com
Mt. Holly – Holly, MI
While holding all prices at 2008-09 levels, Mt. Holly, has placed its improvement investment in its snowmaking system. The resort added 10 new snowmaking machines, increasing its fleet of snowmaking machinery to over 100. This improvement increases snowmaking coverage on the Snowstream, Grant’s Trail, Mozart, White Lightning, and Thunderbolt Trails.
Mt Holly’s Season Membership sales began September 1 with a 20% discount off the full price. Discounts gradually decrease as the ski season nears. During the winter, Mt Holly offers weekday morning rate specials with a two-for-one offer on Tuesday morning, a Men’s Day discount on Wednesday morning, and a Lady’s Day discount on Thursday morning. Additional discounts include half-price tickets and rentals for children ages 6 and under and a $5-off lift tickets for seniors over age 65. (248) 634-8269 www.skimtholly.com
Mt. Zion – Ironwood, MI
Mt. Zion, in the western U.P. is an industry leader in ski area management. New for this season, Mt. Zion created a “Stash” terrain park, which is a natural-feature terrain park with log slides and other natural objects built into the slope. (906) 932-4231, www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/aboutGCC
Nub’s Nob – Harbor Springs, MI
Nub’s Nob Ski Area had a huge year of improvements last season that included a new triple chairlift on Pintail Peak, 12 new patented Nub’s Nob snowguns, all new rental snowboards and new season pass choices. The new lift increased uphill capacity to 17,320 skiers per hour making Pintail Peak even easier to enjoy without waiting in line. Nub’s snowgun total increased to 262 guns. In addition, the ski area made numerous improvements to its cross-country trails. Currently Nub’s Nob is offering 10% off regular season ticket rates through October 10. (231) 526-2131, www.nubsnob.com
Pine Knob – Clarkston, MI
Pine Knob Ski Area is painted and polished in preparation for quick snowy escapes for metro Detroit residents. (248) 625-0800, www.skipineknob.com
Pine Mountain – Iron Mountain, MI
At Pine Mountain Resort a surface lift was added to the “Bone Yard” terrain park. In addition, a rope tow was added to the beginner hill and a new run was cut, bringing their total to 27 runs. Many of the lodge rooms have undergone renovations over the summer and the conference facilities were renovated as well. Pine Mountain’s weekend special is priced at $349 for two adults and two juniors for two nights in a lodge room and includes lift tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weekend package for two is $278 and includes two nights in a lodge room and lift tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plus, children 12 and under ski free with a paying adult. (906) 774-2747, www.pinemountainresort.com
Schuss Mountain/Shanty Creek – Bellaire, MI
Schuss Mountain, one of the three villages of Shanty Creek Resorts, in Bellaire, will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with lift ticket and lodging specials in remembrance of the Bavarian-style “Kingdom of Schuss.” New Year’s Eve will be the kick off with specials that include: Every Monday, starting January 1, $40 will buy four lift tickets, lodging on Sunday and Monday will start at $40 per person and Shanty Creek will be celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (January 18) with a Schuss Mountain tradition – Sardine Special – lift tickets for everyone you can fit in a car for $40. Shanty Creek will also offer midweek lift ticket specials starting January 1. Tuesdays are 2 for Tuesdays (2 for the price of one lift tickets and rentals), Wednesdays are $5 Ski Night – after 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays are Friends and Family Thursdays (The more friends and family in a party, the cheaper the lift tickets). 1-800-678-4111, www.shantycreek.com
Snowsnake – Harrison, MI
Snowsnake Ski & Golf has added new rails and features to its popular terrain park. (989) 539-6583, www.snowsnake.net
Ski Brule – Iron River, MI
Ski Brule created two new terrain parks, the Bambie Playground and Woods Park. The Bambie Playground is on a gentle pitch, ideal for those just starting to learn to ride rails and boxes. The Woods Park utilizes natural elements such as log rails. Ski Brule’s ski shop offers a special Ski Package for $425, which includes boots, skis, bindings and poles. The Snowboard Package is $279 and includes board, boots, bindings and leash. All ski and snowboard rentals include a free helmet rental. Advanced Lift Tickets are on sale now through Dec 24, at a cost of $30 each and are valid anytime during the 2009/10 season. 1- 800-DO-BRULE, www.skibrule.com
Swiss Valley – Jones, MI
Swiss Valley Ski Area will celebrate its 41st year by offering reduced season pass rates for parents who have never had a season pass before and are purchasing for their children. If bought before September 30, a first-time pass-purchasing parent can receive a season pass for just $41 and ski the entire season. The idea is to encourage families to ski together. (248) 244-5635, www.SkiSwissValley.com
Treetops Resort – Gaylord, MI
Treetops Resort expanded its terrain park, newly named, “The Yard.” Treetops will offer free skiing on Thursday nights and Friday mornings to all guests who add Thursday night lodging to a Weekend Ski Package. Treetops’ visitors purchasing a normal weekend package will enjoy lift tickets beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday through closing time on the day they depart. Parents stay free with the Kidz Ski Package. For less than $500, two adults and up to three children will enjoy two nights of lodging, two adult and up to three Kidz lift tickets (for the entire weekend), one large pepperoni pizza, a bag or box of popcorn and a special “surprise gift” upon arrival. 1-888-TREETOPS, www.treetops.com