Northern Michigan Ski Resorts

For the most part, the Northern Michigan ski resorts are family friendly and easily accessible. Compared to the ski areas of Colorado, the lift tickets at these resorts are less expensive.

The Northern Michigan area benefits from lake effect snow, which gives it some of the most favorable ski conditions in the country. While the runs are significantly shorter than what you might find out west, the managers of many Northern Michigan ski resorts claim that this allows them to pay more attention to details, such as grooming and safety conditions.

Most of the Northern Michigan ski resorts are frequented by people who either live in Michigan or in the neighboring states. As such, unlike the ski resorts in Canada, California, Colorado, Utah and New England, the ski resorts of Northern Michigan are not considered destination resorts. This is excellent news for anyone who abhors long lift lines, crowded slopes and traffic jams.

Visitors to the Boyne area of Northern Michigan have a choice between two ski resorts; Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands. The two resorts are located within 27 miles of each other. Lift tickets are good at both resorts, and the terrain is similar for both areas. For example, Boyne Mountain's terrain is divided into 29 percent beginner, 41 percent intermediate and 30 percent expert. At Boyne Highlands, the terrain is divided into 37 percent beginner, 29 percent intermediate and 34 percent expert. Boyne Mountain has ten chair lifts, including one six pack high-speed lift. Boyne Highlands has eight chair lifts, including one high-speed four pack. Both areas receive an average of 140 inches of snow.

The Crystal Mountain ski resort boasted the proud distinction of being rated the best ski resort in the Midwest by Ski Magazine's 2005 Top 60 Resort Guide. The resort has 45 downhill runs and 27 of them are illuminated for night skiing. The Crystal Mountain ski resort has nine lifts, which include the Crystal Clipper high-speed quad. The slopes consist of 25 percent beginner terrain, 47 percent intermediate terrain and 28 percent advanced terrain.

For many, Nub's Nob is synonymous with North Michigan skiing. With a base elevation of 911 feet and a summit elevation of 1,338 feet, Nub's Nob is somewhat higher than some of the other Northern Michigan resorts. Its elevation leads to favorable snow conditions. Thirty-one percent of the Nub's Nob terrain is beginner friendly, 48 percent is suitable for intermediates and 21 percent is marked advanced.

Nub's Nob was rated Number One in the Midwest for Snow, Grooming, Service and Value by the Ski Magazine Readers Survey of October 2004. Its 10 chair lifts service 53 trails, which are located on 248 acres of terrain.

What the Treetops ski resort lacks in challenging terrain it makes up for in sheer, picturesque beauty. With terrain divided into 30 percent beginner, 50 percent intermediate and 20 percent advanced, Treetops is suitable for families. The Treetops resort also offers night skiing, cross-country skiing and snow tubing. Its spacious conference center boasts a full-service spa, which makes it a popular venue for weddings, meetings, conferences and other special events.

Ostego is not your typical ski area. It is actually a private, country club resort that offers golf in the summer and skiing in the winter. Tennis courts, swimming and saunas are also available. Family memberships are available. In fact, with a full-feature terrain park, the Ostego Club is definitely trying to appeal to families with children.

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