Michigan Ski Blog – Skiing and Snowboarding in Michigan

Michigan Slopes Win Over Families with Kid-Friendly Specials – News From MSIA

Clarkston, MI (Winter, 2007-2008) – Michigan ski areas want families to enjoy the sport of skiing and snowboarding, and they do their share to offer kid-friendly programs and discounts. Most ski areas offer reduced lift tickets for children and some even offer free skiing for certain ages. They also provide learn-to-ski programs, daycare and NASTAR racing. “Skiing is a great activity for kids, it gets them outside for fresh air and exercise,” says Steve Kershner, Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, (MSIA) chairman and director of skiing for Shanty Creek.

MSIA offers statewide programs that cater to kids, including Discover Michigan Skiing, the association’s discounted learn-to-ski program and the “Cold is Cool” Ski & Snowboard Passport, which allows all fourth graders to ski free. (For more information on MSIA’s programs, visit www.goskimichigan.com.) Here’s a list of ski incentives offered for kids at Michigan ski areas:

At Alpine Valley in White Lake, (248) 887-2180, children 5 years and under receive free beginner area tow tickets anytime and free lift tickets Monday through Friday, (non-holiday). On weekends and holidays, their lift tickets are $12. Alpine Valley offers Ski Carvers ski lessons and Snow Riders snowboard lessons on weekends and holidays. These sessions include a 1-1/2 hour lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment for $50 for Jr. Ski Carvers, (ages 4-5), and $60 for Ski Carvers, (ages 6-12) and Snow Riders, (ages 7-12). For an additional $20, kids get a second session the same day with lunch included. www.skialpinevalley.com

Apple Mountain in Freeland, (989) 781-6789, allows children 6 and under to ski free and receive reduced rates on rental equipment when accompanied by a paying adult. The area also offers several programs every Saturday beginning in January: Apple Seeds Learn-to-Ski program, for youngsters ages 4 to 6, at 10 a.m. It costs $42 and includes a two-hour group lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment. For children 7 to 8 years old with demonstrated ability to ski or snowboard and ride the chairlift, Apple Mountain offers the Trailblazers’ Ski Program at 1 p.m. at a cost of $46 and the Trailblazers’ Snowboard program at 10 a.m. for $48. Both classes include a two-hour group lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment. Youngsters 7-10 with basic boarding skills can take Introduction to Terrain Park Boarding at 1 p.m. It is a 2-hour group lesson that costs $30, not including lift ticket and rental pass. Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required for the classes. www.applemountain.com

At Big Powderhorn of Bessemer in the Upper Peninsula, (906) 932-4838, kids 9 years and under ski free with a paying adult. This offer is limited to one child per adult. www.bigpowderhorn.net

At Bittersweet of Otsego, (269) 694-2820, kids 6 years old and under receive half-price lift tickets with the purchase of adult lift and rental passes. www.skibittersweet.com

Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, and Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, 1-800-GO-BOYNE, have designated areas that are free of charge for beginner skiers and snowboarders of all ages, equipped with chairlifts and Wonder Carpet conveyor lifts. Boyne Highlands has the longest Wonder Carpet in the Midwest. Kids 8 and under ski and ride free and children ages 9 to 15 have reduced lift ticket rates at both resorts. www.boyne.com

At Cadillac’s, Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort, (231) 862-3000, kids 8 years old and under ski and ride free with a paying adult. www.caberfaepeaks.com

At Cannonsburg Ski Area in Cannonsburg, (616) 874-6711, kids 6 years old and under receive free lift tickets and children ages 7 to 10 receive reduced lift tickets. Cannonsburg also offers the Mighty Mite program for kids ages 4 through 12 on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program costs $60 and includes a ski/snowboard lesson, lift ticket, lunch and snack. Rental equipment is an extra $15. www.cannonsburg.com

Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, 1-800-832-2663, offers kids 16 years and younger a special $3 day pass anytime. www.cross-country-ski.com

At Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, (231) 378-2000, children ages 8 and under ski and/or sleep free, when accompanied by a full-paying adult. www.crystalmountain.com

Hanson Hills in Grayling, (989) 348-9266, has a free learn-to-ski program for 3rd through 4th grade students. The local youth booster club sponsors the program which includes rental equipment and lessons and bussing after school to the ski area once a week for six weeks. www.hansonhills.org

The Homestead of Glen Arbor, (231) 334-5000, offers free lift tickets to kids 8 years and younger when accompanied by a paying adult. thehomesteadresort.com

At Indianhead of Wakefield, (906) 229-5181, children ages 9 and under ski free with a paying adult. www.indianheadmtn.com

At Marquette Mountain in Marquette, (906) 225-1155, kids 6 and under ski free in the beginner area or pay $12.50 for an all area pass. Marquette Mountain offers Ski Wee Kid’s Club twice a day on weekends. It’s $25 for children ages 3 to 6 and $30 for kids 6 to 10. The Clubs includes a lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment. www.marquettemountain.com

At Mt. Brighton in Brighton, (810) 229-9581, children 5 years of age and under, ski free with a full-paying adult. www.mtbrighton.com

Mt. Holiday of Traverse City, (231) 938-2500, has a scholarship program providing a pre-arranged free lift ticket, lesson and rental for low-income children in the Traverse City and surrounding five county area. It is a community-based program funded by donations. www.mt-holiday.com

Mt. Holly Ski Resort of Holly, (248) 634-8269, provides half-price lift tickets and ski rental equipment to kids six and under. Mt. Holly has a student discount program (3 p.m. to closing, Mon. through Fri., non-holiday) in combination with graduated lessons. During this time, student lift tickets and ski rentals are $15 and snowboard rentals are $18. On Saturday afternoons in January and February, Mt. Holly offers the Kinder Sparks program for children 5-10 years old. Children must be signed up by 12:30 p.m. for the group lesson which costs $30. Daytime lift tickets for Kinder Sparks are $13 and rental equipment is $13. www.skimtholly.com

Norway Mountain of Norway, (906) 563-9700, lets kids 9 and under ski free with a paying adult. www.norwaymountain.com

At Nubs Nob in Harbor Springs, (231) 526-2131, children 8 years and under ski free with a paying adult anytime and kids 9-12 ski free with a paying adult, midweek, non holiday. www.nubsnob.com

Pando Winter Sports Park of Rockford, (616) 874-8343, lets kids under 6 ski free with a paying adult. www.pandopark.com

Pine Knob Ski Resort of Clarkston, (248) 625-0800, offers half price lift tickets, season passes and rental equipment to children 6 years and under. www.skipineknob.com

Pine Mountain Resort in Iron Mountain, (906) 774-2747, allows children 12 and under to ski free with a paying adult. www.PineMountainResort.com

At Shanty Creek in Bellaire, (231) 533-7066, children 8 years and under ski free while juniors ages 9-12 ski at reduced rates. Value Season Lodging packages include free lift tickets for children. www.shantycreek.com

Ski Brule in Iron River, (906) 265-6754, allows children 9 years old and under to ski and stay free with a paying adult. www.skibrule.com

At Snow Snake Mountain in Harrison, (989) 539-6583, children 6 years old and under receive free lift tickets with a paying adult. www.snowsnake.net

At Swiss Valley Ski Area in Jones, (269) 244-8016, children ages 5 and under receive a free lift ticket when accompanied by a paying adult. Swiss Valley has its Junior Development Race Team, (JDT) for children 5 to 14 years of age, open to all levels of ability. Swiss Valley also offers Valley Kids learn to ski and snowboard program on weekends and holidays. www.SkiSwissValley.com

Timber Ridge in Gobles, (269) 694-9449, allows children 7 years old and under to ski free with a full-paying adult. timberridgeski.com

At Treetops Resort in Gaylord (989) 732-6711, children 8 and under ski free with a paying adult and children 9-12 ski free midweek with the purchase of an adult all-day ticket. www.treetops.com

 
 

Senior Discounts Abound on Michigan Ski Slopes – News From MSIA

Clarkston, MI (Winter, 2007-2008) – Ski areas and resorts recognize senior citizens as a large segment of our population that has leisure time. Therefore many Michigan ski areas reward senior skiers with discounts and special programs. Smart seniors realize the health benefits of skiing to stay physically fit.

“We want them to ski, not flee to warmer climates,” says Steve Kershner, chairman of the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association and director of skiing for Shanty Creek in Bellaire. Nearly all facilities welcome senior skiers–some as young as 50–with outstanding discounts and exciting programs.

At Alpine Valley in White Lake (248) 887-2180, anyone 65 years and up with I.D., can ski for just $20, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excluded. www.skialpinevalley.com

Apple Mountain in Freeland (989) 781-6789, offers $5 off lift tickets to those 65 and over. www.applemountain.com

At Big Powderhorn of Bessemer in the Upper Peninsula (906) 932-4838, seniors 65 years and up pay $28 per lift ticket, anytime. www.bigpowderhorn.net

Bittersweet of Otsego (269) 694-2820, offers a discount of $5 off regular rates for anyone 60 and above. www.skibittersweet.com

At Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs and Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls 1-800-GO-BOYNE, skiers 70+ ski free and seniors ages 65-69 receive discounted season pass rates. www.boyne.com

At Cadillac’s Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort (231) 862-3000, anyone 50 years or older can take advantage of Silver Streak Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On those days, seniors pay just $15 for a package that includes: lift ticket, rental equipment and beginner lesson. On the other days of the week, skiers 60 and up pay $19 per lift ticket. www.caberfaepeaks.com

Cannonsburg Ski Area in Cannonsburg (616) 874-6711, lets skiers 70+ ski free. www.cannonsburg.com

Cross-Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon 1-800-832-2663, gives skiers 55 and up a free facility pass and a free trial of any skis or snowshoes in the demo program during Silver Streak Week, January 14-18, 2008. www.cross-country-ski.com

At Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville (231) 378-2000, anyone 60 and over can sign up for the Silver Streak program for free. Silver Streak enables seniors to ski for half off on all-day/evening lift tickets, cross-country trail passes, all-day/evening equipment rental, group lessons and NASTAR racing, excluding holidays. www.crystalmountain.com

At The Homestead in Glen Arbor (231) 334-5000, anyone 70 and over can ski free everyday. www.thehomesteadresort.com

Indianhead of Wakefield (906) 229-5181, offers $32 lift tickets for seniors 65 and over everyday. www.indianheadmtn.com

Marquette Mountain of Marquette (906) 225-1155, offers anytime lift tickets for $24 to seniors 65 and older. www.marquettemountain.com

Mt. Brighton in Brighton (810) 229-9581, offers half off their regular lift ticket prices to skiers 62 and up. www.mtbrighton.com

At Mt. Holiday in Traverse City (231) 938-2500, seniors in the 70-and-up club receive free lift tickets, Mon.-Fri. and pay $10 on weekends while seniors 62-69 receive student rates. www.mt-holiday.com

At Mt. Holly Ski Resort of Holly (248) 634 8269, skiers 65 and over receive $5 off lift tickets and a 5% discount on season passes, not valid with other discounts. www.skimtholly.com

Anyone 70+ skis free at Nubs Nob, in Harbor Springs 1-800 SKI-NUBS. Skiers ages 65-69, pay reduced lift rates. www.nubsnob.com

Pine Knob Ski Resort of Clarkston (248) 625-0800, offers $5 off lift tickets for anyone 65 years and up and those who are in active military. www.skipineknob.com

Pine Mountain Resort in the Upper Peninsula’s Iron Mountain (906) 774-2747, has season passes or reduced daily lift tickets for seniors 60 and up. Senior Days are Mondays and Tuesdays, non-holiday, with $5 lifts and $5 rentals for anyone 60 and over. www.pinemountainresort.com

At Shanty Creek in Bellaire (231) 533-7066, Super Seniors, ages 70 plus, ski free and seniors ages

55-69 pay teen prices. Shanty Creek offers three separate Silver Streak Weeks for skiers 55 years and up, with exclusive lodging discounts, Sunday – Thursday and free skiing Monday – Friday. These weeks will take place January 6-10, 2008; January 27-31, 2008; and February 24-29, 2008. www.shantycreek.com

Ski Brule in Iron River (906) 265-6754, takes $3 off full-price lift tickets for anyone 60 and over. www.skibrule.com

At Snow Snake Mountain in Harrison (989) 539-6583, anyone 70 or older skis free. www.snowsnake.net

Swiss Valley Ski Area in Jones (269) 244-8016, offers half-price lift tickets and ski and snowboard rentals to anyone ages 65 and up, anytime. www.SkiSwissValley.com

Timber Ridge in Gobles (269) 694-9449, offers half-price lift tickets for seniors, 60 years and up anytime. Timber Ridge offers Senior Spree every Tuesday which gives seniors 55 and up reduced lift tickets and equipment rentals when purchased before noon. www.timberridgeski.com

At Treetops Resort in Gaylord (989) 732-6711, seniors 65 and older ski free. www.treetops.com

“With all the discounts, there is really no excuse for staying indoors,” Kershner says. He encourages everyone, regardless of age or ability, to hit the slopes and trails. “Come out and enjoy Michigan’s winter wonderland,” he adds.

 
 

Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council – CROSS COUNTRY SKI ON THE BEST TRAILS

The Cross Country Ski areas that comprise the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council are committed to providing you with the finest and most diversified groomed cross-country skiing trails, plus service at a level that we’re sure will meet your expectations. There will always be good cross country skiing somewhere among our member facilities, and all our members will make sure you’re accurately informed about the latest cross country trail conditions.

For Complete Information Please Visit the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council Website

We promise to do our best to produce the best cross country trail and ski conditions we can. When Mother Nature has Winter keep her snowy promise, so will we.

SNOW IS IN THE FORECAST!!!!!!
This weekend the weather looks to be messy with rain and early snow. This is the BEST time of the season to get outside get yourself in condition by SKI WALKING on the finest cross country skiing trail system in the US!!! see the SKI WALKING LINK ON OUR LINKS PAGE!!!!!

Come north for the weekend and please call the resort of your choice to make sure of the conditions because they will be changing continuously over the next few days. Aside from MOTHER NATURE KEEPING HER PROMISE and bringing us natural snowfall.

STAY TUNED TO WINTER 2006/7

ANOTHER GREAT SEASON 2006/7
Get ouside this winter and see things that you may have missed. After a day or a week in the office a cross country ski loop through the back country with the birds and maybe even a Bald Eagle, will do wonders for you. Fresh air and freedom; give yourself a much brighter outlook. All of the resorts in the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council will help you to get there. Contact any one of them for immediate help and information. Get out with the family and CROSS COUNTRY SKI.

EVENTS WINTER 2006/7
PLEASE CHECK WITH EACH RESORT’S EVENTS PAGE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE HOSTING THESE EVENTS.

MICHIGAN CUP 2006/2007
Please go to our LINKS
page and click on Michigan
Cup for this year’s schedule.

CHARTER BUSINESS WINTER TRAIL DAY
Jan. 7, 2007 all resorts.
Kids on Snow- FREE LESSONS and Trail Pass.

CHARTER BUSINESS SILVER STREAK WEEK WITH SKI WALKING (55 PLUS)
Jan.8-12, 2007
All Resorts

CHARTER BUSINESS TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE
TRAILS
Jan. 22-26, 2007
All Resorts
2 for 1 Trail Pass Program

THE NOQUEMANON SKI MARATHON
Jan. 27, 2007

WHIE PINE STAMPEDE
Feb. 3, 2007 Shanty Creek

WOMEN’S WINTER TOUR
Feb. 4, 2007

VASA
Feb. 10, 2007

Grand Traverse Classic
Feb. 11, 2007

THE CRYSTAL HIGHLANDER
Feb. 18, 2007 Crystal Mountain

CHARTER BUSINESS WINTER FEAST ADVENTURE DAY
Feb. 24/25, 2007
All Resorts

MUFFIN RACE FOR JUNIORS
Feb. 24-26, 2007 X C Ski Headquarters

GARLAND GALS GETAWAY
Mar. 3-4, 2007

 
 
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