It’s that time of year again… here’s the rundown on this year’s season pass offerings at Michigan’s ski resorts of the northern lower peninsula. These are all full-service resorts, within 4 hours of Detroit, and 5 of Toledo, Indianapolis or Chicago.
Even if a season pass ain’t your thang, make a point to get out a few weekends this year and check some of these places out!
Bittersweet
Topping out at 350 top-to-bottom Bittersweet ski resort located in Otsego is like most other MI ski areas. Bittersweet has nly twenty runs and a few chairs, but the terrain park gets its own dedicated chairlift. You can get a season pass there for about $324 through the end of September, then progressively increasing up to $409 peak season.
Boyne Mountain / Boyne Highlands
The Boyne family of resorts offers several options for their season passes. Prices are up about $20-30 per over last year, $279 for college studies, $289 for Bronze, $449 for Silver $729 for Gold with the most reciprocity and no blackout dates.
With only a few blackout dates on major holidays the silver pass is going to be a good bargain. This pass is not valid during the Christmas Holiday, MLK day and President’s Day weekend, incidentally these are also the most crowded days on the mountains so it’s best to stay away. There are many sister resorts which you can use your Gold pass at for a limited number of days each season: including Big Sky (MT), Brighton (UT), Crystal (WA), Cypress (BC), Loon Mountain (NH), Sugarloaf (ME), Sunday River (ME), and Snoqualmie (WA).
Crystal Mountain
Located 30-40 minutes from Traverse City or Cadillac, the family-friendly Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa is offering great early-bird pricing on season passes: $269 thru October 1. Regular pricing is unchanged at $369. Crystal boasts several peaks and terrain to accommodate all skill levels, including some nice steeps and very fun gladed runs. The Passholder Perks are greatly improved this year. In addition to discounts on lodging & equipment at Crystal, there is partial reciprocity at Timber Ridge and Swiss Valley as well as Snowstar in Andalusia, IL, as well as 50% off midweek lift tickets at a smattering of resorts throughout the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic like Seven Springs, Wachusset, and Jay Peak.
Crystal has a great resort atmosphere, plenty of on-site lodging and dining options but few off-site lodging/dining options. A great place to bring the kids to learn how to ski or ride is also its downfall as the afternoon crowds on weekends/holidays can be a bother.
The Homestead
The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor limits the sale of lift tickets to 95% of the designed capacity of Bay Mountain, and these are reserved for members and guests lodging at the resort. I have never been to The Homestead, but it is supposed to be a family-friendly, full-service resort. Season passes may not be available.
Mount Holiday
Located in Traverse City, Michigan, Mount Holiday is a small “locals” ski hill.At only $249 for a single pass this is among the cheapest in the state, however Mt. Holiday boasts only 240 vertical feet, it’s not much of a mountain. I would consider this option if I lived within a few miles of the area but not otherwise.
Nubs Nob
Nubs Nob is in Harbor Springs, just a few minutes from both Boyne Resorts. Their season pass pricing seems steep to me but has not changed from last winter. There is 10% discount valid thru October 10, 2011.
The limited pass is $440 but carries more restrictions than I like to see. Standard restrictions are the week or two between Christmas and MLK weekend in February, but this pass also is not valid on Saturdays between December and mid-March.
The bargain pass is $280 and is significantly restricted. It cannot be used on Saturdays, but otherwise is good for either one full day per week, or two 4-hour sessions per week. This is probably the best option for the locals who have day jobs, because you can get two evening sessions in each week, all season long.
Otsego Club
The Otsego club is a private resort in Gaylord, Michigan. Unfortunately that means you have to be a member (or friends of a member) to ride there, and membership ain’t cheap. If you can’t spring for a membership for the past few seasons they’ve been open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays, with a weekly rail jam on Friday nights.
You do get access to a very respectable “mountain” and because it is private it is never crowded. I’ve ridden there 5 or 6 times and I’ve never waited in line for a chairlift. Also, there is The O-Park which is most likely the best terrain park in the state. Their superpipe was used by many of the visiting olympic athletes in the weeks preceding the Vancouver games in 2010 and pros occasionally show up to train there.
Schuss Mountain / Shanty Creek
At 450 vertical feet and voted some of the best terrain in the Midwest, the Schuss Mountain/Shanty Creek resort is another northern LP option. Two resorts in one with intra-resort shuttle service all day, your lift ticket is good at both! Pricing is $309 through October 17 and $379 peak season so not too bad. Additionally they have a variety of discounted programs starting at $99 as well as partial reciprocity at Apple Mountain, Swiss Valley, Timber Ridge, and Caberfae Peaks.
Treetops
Also located in Gaylord, with 23 runs and a beginner/intermediate oriented terrain park, Treetops only has a 220′ vertical but it may be a great place to take the kids for their first lessons. Their 2010 season pass prices have not been posted yet but should be in the mid- to high-$300s for adults. More info via phone: 1-888-Treetops (873-3867).
Stay tuned for the next installments of Michigan Season Passes!
