Ask any Michigander and they’ll agree: Hitting the slopes is one of the region’s favorite winter pastimes (along with snowmobiling). Skiing and snowboarding in Michigan is definitely a blast!
Getting all that equipment to the slopes is no easy task. That’s why the Ford Expedition offers exceptional cargo space when you need it. A full 104.6 cubic feet behind the first row of seating, 63.6 cubic feet behind the second row* and 20.9 cubic feet behind the third. Woo-hoo! That means there is no excuse for skipping a winter road trip to one of these cool Michigan ski destinations.
Bonus: Many of these destinations for skiing and snowboarding in Michigan also have their own snow-making machines when temperatures dip low enough.
Alpine Valley
- Address: 6775 E. Highland Road, White Lake
- Cost: Day $53-$61/day or evening session, $65/all-day, $37/ski and snowboard rental, $18.50/child ski and snowboard rental, $10/helmet rental, free/ages 5 and under
Alpine Valley has a fleet of rental skis and prime snowmaking capabilities, making it an ideal choice for your next ski trip. There are three beginner slops, six intermediate slopes and eight advanced slops. Register online for lessons. Walk-ins will be accommodated based on the instructor availability.
Bittersweet Ski Resort
- Address: 600 River Road, Otsego
- Cost: $52-$70/day session lift ticket, $42-$60/day session beginner hill, $50-$54/evening session lift ticket, $40-$44/evening session beginner hill, discounted group rates and military and senior discounts available
The folks at Bittersweet Ski Resort pride themselves on their snowmaking ability. The resort, located just north of Kalamazoo, is home to the 20 runs, six chair lifts, three wonder carpets for beginners and one rope tow. There are features to accommodate every skill level. Bittersweet also offers snowboard and skiing private and group lessons for adults and children.
Boyne Mountain
- Address: 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls
- Cost: $69-plus/all-day pass for ages 18-69, $62/all-day pass for ages 7-79, $54/all-day pass for ages 6-17, $1/ages 0-5 and ages 80-plus
Between Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands, the two largest resorts in Lower Michigan, you can fly down mile-long runs, 11 terrain parks with varying difficulties and each park has more than 400 acres of open terrain. Be sure to check out the MoonBike Tour, Zipline Adventure Tour and Tubing for additional costs. Also, be sure to check out the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, Skybridge Michigan.
Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf
- Address: 1 Caberfae Lane, Cadillac
- Cost: $39-$49/weekday all-day ages 18-64 lift ticket, $34-$44/weekday all-day ages 13-17 lift ticket, $29-$39/weekday all-day ages 9-12 & 65-plus lift ticket, $29-$39/weekday part day ages 18-64 lift ticket, $24-$34/weekday part day ages 13-17 lift ticket, $21-$29/weekday part day ages 9-12 & 65-plus lift ticket, $79/all-day Saturday & holiday ages 18-64 lift ticket, $69/all-day Saturday & holiday ages 13-17 lift ticket, $59/all-day Saturday & holiday ages 9-12 & 65-plus, $34-$69/part-day Saturday & holiday ages 18-64 lift ticket, $29-$59/part-day Saturday & holiday ages 13-17 lift ticket, $24-$49/part-day Saturday & holiday ages 9-12 & 65-plus lift ticket, $64/all-day Sunday ages 18-64 lift ticket, $54/all-day Sunday ages 13-17 lift ticket, $39/all-day Sunday ages 9-12 & 65-plus lift ticket, $44/part-day Sunday ages 18-64 lift ticket, $39/part-day Sunday ages 13-17 lift ticket, $29/part-day Sunday ages 9-12 & 65-plus, $5/children 8 and under lift tickets
Caberfae is located in Northern Michigan’s snowbelt and offers 30 ski runs with 485 feet of vertical drop, three triple chairlifts, one quad chairlift, one flying carpet surface lift and a full-service rental shop and demo center.
Cannonsburg Ski & Ride Area
- Address: 6800 Cannonsburg Road, Belmont
- Cost: $29-$39/all-day weekday lift ticket, $24-$29/evening weekday lift ticket, $34-$49/all-day weekend lift ticket, $29-$39/part-day lift ticket, $35/Sunday night lift ticket, free/ages 6 and under; season tickets available
It’s located 15 minutes northeast of downtown Grand Rapids. With runs and lifts geared toward beginners to advanced, this resort park offers the best possible environment for skiers and snowboarders who are just starting out and those looking for a challenge. It features chair lifts, rope tows and magic carpets.
Crystal Mountain
- Address: 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville
- Cost: $59-$99/all-day lift ticket, $49-$89/4 hour flex lift ticket, $25-$45/night lift ticket (night tickets only available Tuesday-Saturday)
One of the region’s top-tier resorts includes 59 trails and eight lifts, three terrain areas and seven glade areas. There’s beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. Sign up for private or group lessons. After a day of fun, treat yourself to some time at the spa or pool.
Hanson Hills Recreation Area
- Address: 7601 Old Lake Road, Grayling
- Cost: $5/Friday night lift ticket, $30/Saturday lift ticket, $25/Sunday lift ticket, free/ages 5 and under with a paying adult; season passes are available
Known as one of northern Michigan’s hidden gems, Hanson Hills offers a great family atmosphere with reasonable prices for skiing and snowboarding in Michigan. Also offers tubing, cross-country trials and more.
Kensington Metropark
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
- Cost: 10/daily vehicle pass
Kensington Metropark’s Orchard Picnic Area is a great place to start with beginning, intermediate and advanced sledding hills. There is no fee to use the hill, except for the cost of entry into the park. For those interested in cross country skiing on 12 miles of trails, there is a ski center located at Kensington’s golf course. Rental equipment is available on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and rentals must be returned by the time the center closes. For more information check the website
Mount Brighton Ski Resort
- Address: 4141 Bauer Road, Brighton
- Cost: $59-plus
In Mount Brighton, you will have access to 24 trails, two terrain parks, five chair lifts and seven surface lifts. It partners with several area hotels that are only minutes from the ski area. There are trails for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers.
Mt. Holiday Ski Area
- Address: 3100 Holiday Road, Traverse City
- Cost: $20/Tuesday-Friday lift ticket, $30/Saturday-Sunday & holiday lift ticket, $5/Bunny hill, free/ages 4 and under & 70-plus; season passes available
Operating since 1949, this ski area is a great place to hit the slopes up north. With a range of runs offered for all skill levels, there are plenty of options to have fun in the snow this season. The lodge is open for dining Wednesday-Saturday.
Mount Holly
- Address: 13536 S. Dixie Highway, Holly
- Cost: $67-$80/full-day lift ticket, $52-$65/part-day lift ticket, $45-$55/beginning hill; group rates and senior and military discounts available
There are seven chairlifts, two wonder carpets and four rope tows to get you to the slope for your skill level. Twenty slopes and four terrain parks available. There are also ski lessons available to beginners.
Nub’s Nob Ski Area
- Address: 500 Nub’s Nob Road, Harbor Springs
- Cost: $58-$102/all-day lift ticket, $40-$65/night lift ticket, free/ages 8 and under and 70-plus
Nub’s Nob is known for its variety. With more than 50 different runs at all skill levels covering 248 acres of pristine snow, three peaks, eight chair lifts and one rope tow, you and your family will not be bored. Sign up for a one-hour lesson, one and a half hour lesson or three hour lesson.
Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort
- Address: 7778 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston
- Cost: $67-$80/full-day lift ticket, $52-$65/part-day lift ticket, $45-$55/beginning hill; Half-off for ages 6 and under; Senior, military and group rate discounts available
Just a quick drive up I-75, Pine Knob is a regional favorite. Because it’s close, you’ll have the whole day to ski the 17 runs, with six chairlifts, three wonder carpets and four rope tows to get you to the top! Everyone will find a slope to meet their skill level.
Shanty Creek Resorts
- Address: 5780 Shanty Creek Road, Bellaire
- Cost: $52-plus/adults, teens and juniors, $5/children and seniors; season passes available
Choose from The Monster Park, The Natty or Low Rider while skiing or snowboarding. Lessons are available, but it is recommended to register in advance. Other winter activities held here are snowshoeing, alpine tubing, fat tire biking, dogsledding and snowmobiling.
Snow Snake Ski & Golf
- Address: 3407 E. Mannsiding Road, Harrison
- Cost: $30/Monday-Thursday nights, $40/Friday-Saturday 10a.m.-4 p.m., $32/Friday-Saturday nights, $45/all-day pass, $40/Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
There are many fun features to enjoy at Snow Snake, from the easy, intermediate and difficult ski and snowboard runs and hills dedicated to snow tubing to the Magic Carpet. Also, snow tubing available.
Swiss Valley
- Address: 13421 Mann St., Jones
- Cost: $36-$42/all-day weekday lift ticket, $30-$35/part-day weekday lift ticket, $45-$53/all-day Saturday & holiday lift ticket, $35-$40/part-day Saturday & holiday lift ticket, $45/all-day Sunday lift ticket, free/ages 5 and under with a paying adult
Learn how to ski at this resort that started back in 1960 under the name Little Switzerland. Strap up your boots, click into some skis and sign up for one of their lessons. They feature two quad chairlifts, one triple chairlift, four rope tows and a ski & board shop with a full line of apparel, equipment and trained service personnel.
Treetops Resort
- Address: 3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord
- Cost: Prices vary by date; check website
Treetops Resort in northern Michigan offers families hours of skiing opportunities, terrain park and much more. When you’re not hitting the slopes, try extreme tubing, dog sledding or sleigh rides.
This post is updated regularly.
