Ski season is underway in Northern Michigan

By Greg Tasker

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Nearly a year ago, despite the scarcity of snowfall in northern Michigan, I found myself gliding along a powdery, groomed trail in the woods at Forbush Corner Nordic, a cross-country ski destination outside Grayling.

And I wasn’t alone. With its state-of-the-art snowmaking system, Forbush had created a snowglobe amid an otherwise dreary, barren landscape, drawing amateurs and polished skiers alike. As long as temperatures cooperate, Forbush can pump out enough snow to create a figure-eight-loop at the 200-acre destination.

This ski season Forbush has expanded its snow-making prowess to blanket another km of trails. And that’s just one of the many improvements this winter at the dozen or so Nordic and downhill ski resorts across the northwest lower peninsula.

Nearly all of the downhill ski areas — from Thompsonville to Traverse City and beyond — have unveiled a slew of upgrades, many of them focused on improved snow-making capabilities. But that’s not all. There are new ski lifts. New rental equipment. New trails. New ticket options. And new dining and apres-ski possibilities.

All of these resorts, of course, are looking to create optimal skiing conditions for skiers and riders as well as a better winter experience for all of their guests.

“Northwest Lower Michigan’s ski areas have undergone impressive off-season improvements, ensuring an exciting winter season for all,” says Mike Panich, who is executive director of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, the trade group for the state’s ski and snowboard industry. “From advanced snowmaking to exciting new trails and guest-focused upgrades, Michigan’s ski destinations are ready to impress this winter.”

No wonder. After last year’s forgettable winter, ski areas across the region are pumped about this season’s prospects, already benefiting from cooperative temperatues for plenty of snow making as well as frequent lake-effect snow.

“The 2024 season started with a great early blast of cold air and lake effect snow, allowing most ski areas in Michigan and the rest of the Midwest to open earlier and with more terrain than in the recent past,” Panich says.

Despite the recent warm up and rain over the holiday, ski areas “were able to take advantage of the early cold weather and build significant snow reserves and will be able to ride it out until the cold returns with the new year,” he adds.

Here are some highlights of ski area improvements this season (Note: most resorts have upgraded snow-making capabilities so they are not mentioned below):

• In mid-December, the Highlands at Harbor Springs unveiled its newest lift — the Interconnect triple. The new lift cuts the amount of time up the hill by one-third and improves access to the North Peak area. The lift includes RFID gates providing hands-free, direct-to-lift access. This is the second new lift in two years at the 4,000-acre resort. Last year the Highlands introduced the Camelot 6, a six-person bubble chairlift, the fastest in the Midwest. New food options include a Brew Bar at the Day Lodge, serving a selection of craft beer, and a Ramen Bar at the Food Market.

• With more snowmaking power, Boyne Mountain is creating the Victor Glacier, a ski run being designed to offer great snow conditions earlier and later in the season. The signature blue run is reminiscent of Vermont’s legendary King of Spring, late-season skiing at Killington Ski Resort. Additionally, Boyne has unveiled nearly 18 acres of fresh, glade terrain within its Disciples Ridge area. The new glade terrain is located between Grice’s Way and Zippie’s and features wide-open, gentle slopes for beginners and more challenging terrain for the more experienced.  Other improvements include synchronized music and vibrant LED lighting displays at the resort’s Tubing Hill.

• In Thompsonville, Crystal Mountain has expanded its selection of rental equipment, adding more than 400 new sets of rental skis and 55 snowboards. The 1,500-acre resort has also upped its apres-ski game with new rooftop igloos at the Level4 Lounge. The heated igloos offer scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Guests will also find expanded trail loops and new rental gear at the Cross-Country Learning Center. More than half the guest rooms of the Hamlet Hotel have been renovated with new furniture, flooring and accessories.

• Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire offers a new 18 km cross-country trail system through Schuss Village, one of four villages on the 5,500-acre property. Non-skiers looking for something to do can hop aboard the new Alpina Snow Glider, for a free, hour-long ride through the expansive resort. Shanty Creek has also extended private ski and snowboard lessons to include evening sessions.

• Outside Gaylord, Treetops Resort boasts two new trails. Razzle Dazzle promises “a thrilling new experience for those who love gladed slopes,” resort officials say. The other is the Woodsplitter, providing a new route between Kathryn’s Way and Lookout at the 3,300-acre destination.

• Caberfae Peaks, one of the country’s oldest ski areas, outside Cadillac, has renovated guest rooms, which feature custom-made furniture.

Back at Forbush Corner, which is owned and operated by a nonprofit organization, the addition of another km of man-made snow coverage extends that trail network to nearly 3.5 km. Overall, Forbush has more than 30 km of trails. This year snowshoe trails also have been expanded, with 8 km now dedicated to snowshoeing paths. By the way, the region’s other popular Nordic ski spot, Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Higgins Lake, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter. A 50th Anniversary Ribs and Blues celebration is planned for February 22. The ski center also offers free beginner lessons every Saturday.

In the meantime, don’t let the warmer-than-usual and rainy weather around the holidays deter your skiing plans. Wintry weather is around the corner.

“After the terrible winter of 23-24, we have entered a much more winter-like pattern and meteorologists are predicting a much snowier and cooler January and February than we have experienced over the last several seasons,” Panich says. “With good weather and regular snowfall, skiers should expect to have great snow covered slopes all season long, with great conditions.”

For more information about what’s new at Michigan’s ski areas visit Michigan Snowsports Industries Association at goskimichi gan.com.

Greg Tasker is a Traverse City-based freelance writer.