Big Changes at Traverse City Ski Resorts

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Skiers and snowboarders will see some big improvements at Traverse City’s three main ski areas this winter. 

Shanty Creek Resorts, the City region’s leading snowsport destination, has a new restaurant and “day lodge,” new rental and instruction centers, and a groomed multi-use trail for non-skiers. In addition, many amenities and features have been shifted from one area of the sprawling 4,500-acre resort to another.

Located about 30 miles northeast of Traverse City, Shanty Creek has 53 downhill slopes and six terrain parks. (Ski Magazine rated it the Midwest’s top destination in value, dining, lodging, weather and après ski activities.)

The resort has moved its main ski operation. Ski school and rental facilities are now located inside The Lodge at Cedar River, which provides ski-in/-out access to the Schuss Mountain slopes, where a new beginner ski area has been established.

The former ski school and rental facility is now a dedicated space for day skiers who don’t intend to use the resort’s lodging or restaurant facilities, furnished with seasonal lockers, banquet seating and vending machines.

Shanty’s popular Alpine Tubing Park has been moved to Summit Village, which provides users with access to the restaurants and meeting areas of the Lakeview Hotel and majestic views of Lake Bellaire.

The resort has opened a new restaurant and bar, The River Bistro, at Cedar River. And Ivan's Mountainside Grill is now Ivan's Café, a self-serve cafeteria with homemade soups, fresh salads, wraps and other items. (Ivan's will continue to be the after-dark party spot at Shanty, with live entertainment and a full-service bar.)

The resort has also created a new 5K groomed multi-purpose trail to accommodate such non-ski activities as snowshoeing, dog walking and fat-tire biking. Its trailhead will be located near the Lodge at Cedar River. Shanty Creek already has 30 kilometers of groomed track-set ski trails, but decided that other users needed a trail of their own.

Meanwhile, the Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area has installed two zipline systems that let visitors soar through the air above its ski slopes. Its “Green Zipper” is a two-station zipline and its new 10-station zipline has a total of over 4,000 feet of cable. Mt. Holiday offers skiing and snowboarding on 16 runs from beginner to advanced, as well as a snow tubing park.

Traverse City’s Hickory Hills ski area has also made some improvements, including a new food concession. Hickory Hills offers eight downhill runs served by five rope tows. Slopes are beginner to advanced, with a 240-foot vertical drop.   

Winter enthusiasts will find deals at some of the area’s best restaurants and special discounts on shopping, spa services, movies, wine tastings and other entertainment. And for winter sports enthusiasts, the packages include coupons and discounts on trail passes, lift tickets, tubing and snowmobile rentals.