Michigan Ski Blog – Skiing and Snowboarding in Michigan

Schuss Mountain Opens Friday, December 16, 2011

 
Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resorts will be open Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday 9am-10pm and Sunday 9am-4:30pm.

The lift starts turning at 9am! We will have 6 runs open, including a temporary terrain park which will feature a new C-Box, Rainbow Box, and 20’ long picnic table, as well as a 1000 gallon propane tank, and a medium sized step-up jump.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, we were lucky enough to make a decent amount of snow which should make for some good skiing/boarding on the runs we are able to open. We are also going to be opening a temporary terrain park for our guests who are eager to hit some elements.

The 2011/12 season brings with it many upgrades and improvements, both on the slopes and off including:

• Seven new rails and boxes including a 35ft battleship box, 3 C-rails, two 20ft rainbow rails and a 20ft picnic table • Two new runs, Salsa and Red Fox, serviced by the Red Lift
• On-property snowmobile rentals from Blue Sky Rentals
• A new fleet of Volkyl high-performance rental skis
• A renovation to the Rental and Academy lodge
• A new Prinoth Bison groomer to help convert fresh snow to smooth corduroy

It’s not too late to pick up a 2011/12 season pass! A season pass provides access to SCRs 53 runs, four terrain parks, halfpipe, on both Schuss and Summit mountains. 2011/12 SCR Favorite Cards are available too. These cards include one holiday/weekend Superticket, four Sunday-Friday Supertickets, and five Summit-Only tickets.

We’ll continue to provide updates as we get closer to opening day so be sure to check back frequently!

Visit Shanty Creek Resorts Website >>>>

 
 

Shanty Creek – 2011/2012 Holiday Packages – Starting at $65

2011/2012 Holiday Packages

December 24
Starting at $65 per adult/per night based on double occupancy. Excludes applicable taxes and fees.

Package Includes:
• One night’s lodging
• One breakfast
• Ski for free on December 25 (subject to slope hours)
• Kids eat free (details)

December 26-January 1
Starting at $136 per adult/per night based on double occupancy. Excludes applicable taxes and fees.

Package Includes:
• One night’s lodging
• One breakfast
• One Superticket (includes cross country trails)
• Complimentary skiing night of arrival (after 5pm; subject to slope hours)

Visit Shanty Creek Resorts Website >>>>

 
 

Spa Magazine ranks Crystal Spa #1 Hotel/Resort Spa in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic & Midwest

Two premier spa publications honor Crystal Mountain with three awards.

THOMPSONVILLE, MICH – The readers of Spa Magazine have honored Crystal Spa with a Silver Sage Award ranking it as the Top Hotel/Resort Spa in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. In addition, Crystal Spa has also received two awards for environmental practices including international recognition from SpaFinder.

This marks the second straight year the readers of Spa Magazine have recognized Crystal Spa with a Silver Sage Award in the Favorite Hotel/Resort Spas: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest category. In addition, Crystal Spa received a second Silver Sage Award as Favorite Green/Eco Spa. Each of this year’s Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Award honorees are currently featured in Spa Magazine’s Worldwide Guide 2011 and were honored in a ceremony during this week’s International Spa Association Conference in Washington D.C.

“To receive the top ranking among a list of spas that include the Waldorf-Astoria in New York and Hotel Hershey is an incredible honor,” says Chris MacInnes, chief operating officer of Crystal Mountain. “This recognition is truly a testament to the quality of our spa staff and management of which we are extremely proud.”

SpaFinder, recognized by Forbes and USA Today as the world’s premier online resource for spa travel, named Crystal Spa to its list of Ten Best Spas for Environmental Practices. The Midwest’s only LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) spa shares the SpaFinder honor with Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Mexico), Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa and Gwinnganna Lifestyle Retreat  (Queensland, Australia) and Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa (Clonakilty, Ireland), among others. In 2009, Crystal Spa was named among SpaFinders Ten Best for Winter Sports.

Opened in January 2009, Crystal Spa has the distinction of being the Midwest’s only LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) spa facility and one of just eight in the nation. The 18,500 square-foot facility features 12 treatment rooms, including a dual treatment room and Vichy shower, meditation lounge, outdoor meditation garden with hot tub, locker rooms with infrared saunas and steam rooms, and a manicure and pedicure salon. In addition, the building includes a fitness center with the latest cardio- and strength-training equipment, motion studio, and an indoor pool and hot tub.

About SpaFinder:

The world’s largest spa media, marketing and gifting company, SpaFinder, Inc. connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide. SpaFinder’s media properties include the award-winning Spafinder.com, the Spa Enthusiast newsletter and the annual Global Spa and Wellness Directory. Voters were asked to only cast ballots for spas they’ve personally visited within the past three years. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.

About Spa Magazine:

For more than 14 years, Spa magazine has offered readers a personal connection to the beauty, health, and wellness secrets of the world’s hottest spas. Spa publishes six bimonthly editions plus the award-winning Spa Worldwide Guide annual directory. Check out Spa online at www.spamagazine.com.

About Crystal Mountain:

Celebrating over 50 years, Crystal is a family-owned, four-season resort with 36 holes of championship golf, one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 25 Golf Schools in America, one-acre outdoor water playground, the Crystal Coaster, Michigan’s only alpine slide, lodging, dining, skiing, IACC-approved conference facilities and the award-winning Crystal Spa.

Visit Crystal Mountain Website >>>>

 
 
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