Best Ski Resorts in Michigan 2026

Michigan offers the best skiing in the Midwest with over 40 ski areas, lake-effect snow, and affordable prices.

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Top 10 Michigan Ski Resorts

Resort	Region	Vertical	Runs	Day Ticket
Boyne Mountain	Northern	500 ft	60	$80-100
Boyne Highlands	Northern	552 ft	55	$80-100
Nub's Nob	Northern	427 ft	53	$70-85
Crystal Mountain	Northern	375 ft	58	$65-85
Caberfae Peaks	Northern	485 ft	34	$50-60
Indianhead	Upper Pen.	638 ft	30	$55-70
Blackjack	Upper Pen.	465 ft	20	$50-65
Mt. Bohemia	Upper Pen.	900 ft	100+	$65-80
Ski Brule	Upper Pen.	500 ft	17	$55-65
Mt. Brighton	Southeast	230 ft	26	$55-75

Best Overall: Boyne Mountain

Boyne Mountain is Michigan's premier ski destination with the most terrain, best snowmaking, and full resort amenities.

Vertical: 500 ft
Runs: 60 trails
Lifts: 12 including 2 high-speed quads
Night skiing: Yes
Village: Ski-in/ski-out lodging, spa, dining

Why #1: Best combination of terrain variety, snowmaking, and resort experience in Michigan.

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Best for Experts: Mt. Bohemia

Mt. Bohemia is unlike any other Midwest resort—steep, natural snow-dependent, and genuinely challenging.

Vertical: 900 ft (highest in Midwest)
Terrain: 100+ runs, all natural
No beginners: No green runs at all
No grooming: Bumps, glades, and powder
Vibe: Cult following, serious skiers only

Why unique: Only Midwest resort that rivals Western expert terrain. Gets 270+ inches of lake-effect snow.

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Best for Families: Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain balances family-friendly terrain with excellent lodging and after-ski activities.

Vertical: 375 ft
Beginner terrain: 25%
Kids programs: Award-winning ski school
Activities: Spa, indoor pool, dining
Value: Great packages for families

Best Value: Caberfae Peaks

Caberfae offers classic Michigan skiing at 1960s prices.

Day ticket: $50-60 (cheapest in Northern MI)
Terrain: 34 runs across 485 vertical
Crowd: Rarely busy
Extras: Night skiing, tubing

Upper Peninsula Gems

The UP gets massive lake-effect snow (200-300+ inches) and has unique character:

Resort	Vertical	Snowfall	Best For
Mt. Bohemia	900 ft	270"	Expert terrain
Indianhead	638 ft	200"	All-around
Blackjack	465 ft	200"	Beginner-friendly
Ski Brule	500 ft	180"	Family value

Travel tip: The UP is 5-8 hours from Detroit. Plan a multi-day trip and hit several resorts.

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Michigan Ski Regions

Northern Lower Peninsula

Resorts: Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Nub's Nob, Crystal Mountain
Snow: 150-200 inches (lake-effect from Lake Michigan)
From Detroit: 4-5 hours
Best for: Weekend trips, families

Upper Peninsula

Resorts: Mt. Bohemia, Indianhead, Blackjack, Ski Brule
Snow: 200-300+ inches
From Detroit: 7-9 hours
Best for: Dedicated ski trips, powder seekers

Southeast Michigan

Resorts: Mt. Brighton, Pine Knob, Alpine Valley
Snow: 50-80 inches + snowmaking
From Detroit: 30-60 minutes
Best for: After-work skiing, beginners

Michigan Ski Pass Options

Pass	Price	Resorts Included
Boyne Free	$849	Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands
Epic Pass	$979	Mt. Brighton only
Indy Pass	$349	Caberfae, Big Powderhorn
Michigan Mega	Varies	Multi-resort bundles

Best value: If you ski 10+ days, Boyne Free pays off quickly.

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When to Ski Michigan

Month	Conditions	Crowds	Best For
December	Early season, snowmaking	Light	Getting runs in
January	Peak conditions, cold	Moderate	Best snow
February	Good snow, cold	Moderate	President's Day week
March	Spring conditions	Light	Deals, warm weather

Peak times: MLK weekend, President's Day week, President's Day weekend.

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FAQs

Is skiing good in Michigan? Yes! While vertical is limited, Michigan has excellent snowmaking, lake-effect powder, affordable prices, and terrific terrain variety. Mt. Bohemia offers genuinely challenging skiing. What's the best ski resort near Detroit? Mt. Brighton (45 min) for quick trips. For a proper ski weekend, head to Boyne Mountain or Crystal Mountain (4-5 hours). Does Michigan get enough snow? Northern Michigan and the UP get 150-300+ inches from lake-effect. Snowmaking covers the rest. Conditions are generally excellent. Is Mt. Bohemia worth it? For expert skiers, absolutely. The 900 ft vertical, natural snow, and challenging terrain make it unique in the Midwest. It's a cult favorite.

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