SNOW SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING


 

Source: Unknown

MAJOR SKI RESORTS, 1996-97

Source: Atlas of Michigan, ed. Lawrence M. Sommers, 1977. 

Below is a listing (as of 2002)  of the major ski areas in Michigan, with some data for each.  Enjoy!

Source: Unknown

    Upper Peninsula    City    No. of runs    Vertical Drop (in ft.)    Longest run (in ft.)
1    Al Quaal Recreation Area    Ishpeming    3    100    600
2    Big Powderhorn Mountain    Bessemer    25    622    5,280
3    Blackjack Ski Resort    Bessemer    22    465    5,300
4    Gladstone Sports Park    Gladstone    4    131    1,000
5    Indianhead Mountain Resort    Wakefield    22    638    5,300
6    Marquette Mountain    Marquette    25    600    8,300
7    Mont Ripley    Houghton    8    423    1,500
8    Mt. Zion    Ironwood    9    300    2,640
9    Norway Mountain    Norway    15    500    5,300
10    Porcupine Mountains State Park    Ontonagon    14    641    5,800
11    Silver Mountain Ski/Tubing Hill    St. Ignace    2    130    130
12    Ski Brule, Inc.    Iron River    17    500    5,300


    Northwestern Lower Peninsula    City    No. of runs    Vertical Drop (in ft.)    Longest run (in ft.)
13    Boyne Highlands Resort    Harbor Springs    44    550    5,200
14    Boyne Mountain Resort    Boyne Falls    50    500    5,280
15    Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort    Cadillac    31    485    4,960
16    Crystal Mountain Resort    Thompsonville    34    375    2,640
17    Hickory Hills Ski Area    Traverse City    8    240    1,200
18    The Homestead    Glen Arbor    13    375    1,320
19    Missaukee Mountain    Lake City    4    500    1,300
20    Mt. Holiday Ski Area    Traverse City    14    200    1,800
21    Mt. McSauba Ski Hill    Charlevoix    8    152    900
22    Nubs Nob Ski Area    Harbor Springs    40    427    5,000
23    Petoskey Winter Sports Park    Petoskey    1    100    500
24    Shanty Creek    Bellaire    46    450    5,280
25    Silver Ridge Resort    Farwell    9    225    2,500
26    Snow Snake Mountain    Harrison    12    200    3,960
27    Sugar Loaf Resort    Cedar    25    500    5,280
28    Hanson Hills Recreation Area    Grayling    8    200    2,800
29    Mio Mountain Ski Area    Mio    18    200    1,500
30    Skyline Ski Area    Grayling    17    210    1,800
31    Treetops-Sylvan Resort    Grayling    19    225    2,200



    Central Lower Peninsula    City    No. of runs    Vertical drop (in ft.)    Longest run (in ft.)
32    Cannonsburg Ski Resort    Cannonsburg    18    250    1,800
33    Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl    Grand Haven    6    150    800
34    Pando Ski Area    Rockford    7    125    500
35    Apple Mountain    Freeland    10    220    1,000


    Southern Lower Peninsula    City    No. of runs    Vertical drop (in ft.)    Longest run (in ft.)
36    Bittersweet Ski Resort    Otsego    16    300    2,300
37    Swiss Valley Ski Area    Jones    11    225    1,800
38    Timber Ridge Ski Area    Gobles    15    250    2,000
39    Alpine Valley    White Lake    25    350    2,000
40    Mt. Brighton, Inc.`    Brighton    26    300    1,350
41    Mt. Holly, Inc.    Holly    18    350    2,100
42    Pine Knob Ski Resort    Clarkston    15    300    1,620

Commercial skiing began early in Michigan's history.

Today, skiing is big business, and the industry attracts thousands of visitors to the state each winter. Michigan's main ski resorts are Caberfae Peaks, Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, Nubs Knob, and Crystal Mountain.

Source: Image Courtesy of Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort  

Source:  Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan State University

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.