8 Best Ski Resorts in Michigan, According to Local Experts

Yes, you can ski in the Midwest, and this Great Lakes state is the perfect place to start.

Michigan is well-known for its waters, boasting an astounding 3,000+ miles of coastline. But a lesser-celebrated perk of the Wolverine State? Skiing. More specifically, downhill or alpine-style skiing. “No matter where you are in Michigan, you’re within a 2.5-hour drive of a ski area,” explains Mickey MacWilliams of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association. Furthermore, according to MSIA numbers, winter travel accounts for almost a third of the $22.8 billion Michigan travel industry. The state boasts a typical ski season of 100-104 days, has over 40 ski resorts, and garners between 2-2.4 million skier visits each year. A flurry of night skiing options means visitors may have the chance to see the northern lights, too. Here are eight of the best ski resorts in Michigan, perfect for a wintertime ski trip.

Related: 10 Best Ski Trips to Take in the U.S.

Stacey Brugeman is a Michigan-based food and travel writer who has skied these Midwestern slopes since she was a kid.

Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls

Stacey Brugeman is a Michigan-based food and travel writer who has a long history with winter sports. She learned to ski when she was 18 months old, is a former collegiate alpine racer, and even named one of her children after Aspen’s Ajax Mountain. “When we left after 12 years in Colorado to return to Michigan, our home state, we were acutely aware that we were giving up the mountains for the water,” the ski expert noted. “Northern Michigan is (rightly) celebrated for its summer season. But winters here have been the most unexpected surprise. Every Friday after school, we grab the kids and head over to a family cabin in Petoskey, skiing Boyne all weekend long. There's plenty of vertical to get some good turns in, even for a washed-up ski racer, and it makes our cold winters fly by to be outside,” she shared. Boyne Mountain Resort boasts 60 runs on over 400 acres of skiable terrain and is home to the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, SkyBridge Michigan; take a chairlift ride up to the bridge to enjoy stunning views over the Boyne Valley after a day on the slopes.

Brugeman added, “I learned to ski at Boyne Mountain as a child, on the super-steep eastern face. While Boyne Mountain is the OG, they have made impressive updates to this property in recent years, including the sky bridge, a handful of modern chairlift upgrades, and some great dining and lodging options. I never ski ‘the Mountain,’ as we call it, without stopping into Eagle's Nest. Their 360-degree fireplace is the best place to warm up.”

Snow River Mountain Resort, Wakefield

Snow River Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the Upper Peninsula (UP) — and I grew up skiing here. It stands apart due to lake-effect snow from nearby Lake Superior that results in more than 150 inches of powder each year. The resort is spread over two mountains, with a 538-foot vertical drop, 56 trails, and 400 acres of space. There are 11 chair lifts, three terrain parks, five mogul runs, and top elevation is 1,750 feet. Snow River is split into two distinct areas: Jackson Creek Summit (the former Indianhead Mountain Resort) and Black River Basin (the former Blackjack Mountain Resort).

Additionally, for Midwest ski enthusiasts, Snow River Mountain is part of the Legendary Ski Pass, allowing access to Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota and Granite Peak in Wisconsin.  Notably, it’s also about 12 miles east of Ironwood, home to the iconic Stormy Kromer clothing brand and its signature wool winter cap with ear flaps. Stock up on your visit for the ultimate Northland accessory.

Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville

Brugeman also recommends Crystal Mountain Resort. “Crystal is right down the road from us, and all the kids from our school get to ski there multiple times a week. It’s a super hill, and so family friendly. For parents, I love hitting the canvas tents at nearby Iron Fish Distillery for après,” she explained. With 59 runs, 100+ acres of skiable area, eight lifts, and a ski learning center, there’s much to enjoy at this pretty spot. Crystal Mountain also boasts three terrain areas for snowboarders, a vertical drop of 375 feet, and 27 lighted slopes for night skiing.

Mount Bohemia, Lac La Belle

Mount Bohemia is a unique Michigan ski resort as it’s designed only for expert-level skiers. In fact, they actively share that it’s not a suitable mountain for beginners to tackle. Think steep slopes and a 900-foot vertical drop on 538 skiable acres. With a whopping amount of snow per year due to lake effect — almost 300 inches annually — this Keweenaw Peninsula resort offers off-piste (ungroomed terrain) skiing. Advanced skiers will especially appreciate the Voodoo Mountain option, so called “cat-skiing” where 20 or fewer skiers and boarders ride a speciality snow cat vehicle up the mountain, then ski down the pristine, untouched slopes. This spot also stands out for its on-site Nordic Spa, complete with thermal pools.

Related: 11 of the Best Ski Resorts in the Midwest

Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire

This Northern Michigan resort sits east of the famed Caribbean-blue waters of Torch Lake, one of the bluest lakes in the world. Shanty Creek Resort has 53 trails spread through three distinct villages; they are Summit, Schuss, and Cedar River, with the more advanced skiing focused around Schuss Mountain. “I would also consider Shanty Creek [one of the best] — their nordic trail system is as impressive as their alpine offering,” added Brugeman. Shanty Creek has over 15 miles of cross-country ski trails, alpine tubing, and multiple terrain parks.

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Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs

Nub’s Nob, located near the so-called “tip of the Mitt” in the Lower Peninsula is another great spot for skiing in Michigan. “Locals love Nub’s Nob… I haven't skied Nub’s since I was a kid, but year-rounders over in Petoskey swear by it,” said Brugeman. The resort has been open since 1958 and is still family owned and operated. It features two lodges, 53 ski runs, 248 acres of skiable territory, three peaks, 427 feet of vertical drop, and eight chairlifts. With 123 inches of average annual snowfall, a free beginner area, and free lift tickets for children under eight, Nub’s Nob is a great family-friendly option for a Midwestern ski getaway.

Ski Brule, Iron River

Another Upper Peninsula pick, the more approachable Ski Brule is pass partners with the expert-only Mount Bohemia. With a five-and-a-half month ski season, 17 trails, 11 chairlifts, three terrain parks, and 150 inches of annual snowfall, it’s easy to see why this resort is a longtime favorite in the Wolverine State. Ski Brule sits on 3,000 acres in the UP wilderness, with roughly 150 acres groomed for ski and snowboard use.

The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Harbor Springs

The Highlands at Harbor Springs (formerly known as Boyne Highlands) is a favorite among Michiganders. Beyond being the largest ski resort in Michigan, this spot boasts the highest vertical drop in the Lower Peninsula. Brugeman expanded, “Last season, I skied the best Michigan powder day of my entire life at Boyne Highlands.” The travel writer and veteran skier continued, “The morning after a massive storm, we were tucking in and out of the trees in white stuff that was up to my knees. You know that saying where there's no such thing as friends on a powder day? Lucky for my kids, I'm family. We stuck together and had a blast.” The Highlands at Harbor Springs gets 140 inches of annual snowfall on its 55 runs. Plus, the resort is conveniently located in the Petoskey area, recognized by T+L as one of the best small towns in Michigan.

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