Pure Michigan Travel - Downhill Skiing Highlights

Let it Snow

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:08:01 GMT

Michigan is fortunate to experience four distinct seasons, but only one quarter of the year truly matters to skiers and snowboarders who look forward to enjoying 42 ski areas with over 200 chairlifts, 840 runs, 40 terrain parks and more than 3,000 miles of cross country trails. The gentler hills at the southern end of the Lower Peninsula gradually give way to more challenging slopes approaching the tip of the mitt. The Western Upper Peninsula is Big Snow Country, where the annual snowfall averages 200”, and the northern UP is home to some of the most challenging verticals in the Midwest.

New to winter sports? Snow problem! Lessons abound for downhill, cross country and snowboarding taught by certified instructors in group, private, and semi-private classes for all ages and levels of experience.

Flurry of Good News

Day-trippers and resort guests alike will enjoy new developments and improvements at ski areas in both peninsulas. >more

Cool Deals

Find the perfect package, deal or discount to save money on the slopes and enhance your Pure Michigan ski experience. >more

Not All Downhill

Cross country skiers can glide along trails through our state parks, forests, beside lakes, across meadows and many with rest stops along the way. >more

Discover Michigan Snowsports

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:57:09 GMT

When the snow falls, Michigan is a winter wonderland! With dozens of challenging downhill and Nordic ski areas, family-friendly lodging, top notch instructional programs, and plenty of après ski diversions, the state deserves its outstanding reputation.

As a seemingly endless bolt of alluring, white carpeting is rolled out across the two peninsulas, Michigan is fit for winter royalty. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing in Michigan offer enough thrills to cure any case of cabin fever. This diversity of snowsport options, often within a single resort or ski area, invites families to vacation together, and still lets everyone do their own thing.

Many Michigan resorts and ski areas offer outstanding learn-to-ski programs for beginners of every age, and for experienced skiers looking to stay sharp. Check our list of downhill ski areas and cross country destinations to find the perfect class.

Ski areas across the state have teamed up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants to offer an exciting and very affordable introduction to the sport of skiing and snowboarding, Discover Michigan Snowsports. The program includes a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross country trail pass. Twenty-one ski facilities are offering the package. The lesson normally covers basic maneuvering on skis or snowboards, including stopping, turning, riding the lifts and getting up from a fall. The prices for the Discover Michigan Snowsports program are: $20 for Discover Michigan Cross Country Skiing; $30 for Discover Michigan Downhill Skiing; and $40 for Discover Michigan Snowboarding. The program is open to everyone seven years and older. The cost includes the lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment.

For the most up-to-date snowsports information, contact the Michigan Snowsports Association.

Skiing at Nubs Nob in Harbor Springs

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:47:21 GMT

Every year we have gone skiing at Nub's Nob Ski Area in Harbor Springs, MI and it is fantastic! For those of you who haven't tried skiing/snowboarding or haven't went skiing up north, you have really missed out. From the trails of Foo Foo Land to the Double-Black Diamond Superpipe, there is a run for everyone. Voted North America's best terrian park and Michigan's best ski resort, Nub's Nob has so much to offer! Whether you just want to relax in the cozy lodge or hit the slopes, Nub's Nob is a place you can't miss out on. Skiing for eight years there you would think you would get tired of it, but every year there's something new to try and it just gets better and better! Going skiing at Nub's Nob is another reason why Michigan is enjoyable all year round!

Skiing weekend

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:40:18 GMT

My boyfriend and I took a trip to Nub's Nob to go skiing and had the BEST weekend we've ever had together. We stayed at the Crooked River Lodge in Alanson (a short drive to Nub's Nob), which is a beautiful hotel with a log cabin feel. We had breakfast at a great little diner downtown, and Nub's Nob had the best skiing I've ever experienced. All together it was an absolutely perfect weekend. We love Michigan and everything it has to offer. We will definitely be making a trip back up north next year!

New Year's at the Straights

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:06:59 GMT

Having been Petoskey KOA seasonal campers for the last eight years, we are always itching to get up back up North by Christmas time. We heard about the Comfort Suites in Mackinaw City having great rates and a water park and had one our of best New Year's ever. Our accommodations were a 2 room suite that slept 8 and three nights was LESS than one night at Great Wolf Lodge. The water park is much smaller, but I think our kids enjoyed it more! A must see is a trip to the Tahquamenon Falls. If you think they are pretty in the fall, you should see them with the snow and ice. Then a drive across Lakeshore Drive and a walk across the beach at Pt. Iroquois. We were very fortunate to see a freighter right in front of the lighthouse! Continue on into Sault Ste. Marie and we ended up seeing four more freighters. The locks don't close until early January, so the die harders can watch in the snow! The next day we discovered a fabulous black diamond tubing hill in St. Ignace called Silver Mountain with a $5 lift ticket and no lines! Even Mom and Dad had a blast! There is plenty open in Mackinaw City to stroll through shops and several restaurants open to choose from and I'm told the hotel rates in Mackinaw City are even better in January & February. We can't wait to go back next year!