Hello, Snow! Kicking Off the 2013-14 Skiing & Snowboarding Season
- At November 27, 2013
- By Nick Nerbonne
- In Nick N.'s posts
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Over a foot of lake-effect snow and ideal snowmaking temperatures have helped many northern Michigan ski resorts open for Thanksgiving weekend. Photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain.
Winter arrived in northern Michigan this week – in a BIG way! The “lake effect snow machine” kicked on and blanketed many areas with over a foot of natural snow the past few days. Ideal snowmaking temperatures have allowed ski resorts to fire up the snow guns to add to Mother Nature’s early Christmas gift, and for the first time in many years, ski resorts throughout northern Michigan will be open for Thanksgiving weekend.
With snow sports enthusiasts scrambling to grab their snowboards from the basement and get their skis down from the rafters above the garage, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of northern Michigan resorts that will be open for skiing & riding over the holiday weekend.
Conditions like these don’t come along every November, so grab your gear, pack yourself a turkey sandwich, and enjoy a few Thanksgiving weekend turns. See you on the slopes!
Boyne Highlands
Opening date: Thanksgiving Day
The Highlands kicks off the 2013-14 season on Thanksgiving Day with 3 lifts serving 8 runs, including Heather and black-diamond favorite, South Challenger.
All-day lift ticket rate: $35 adults, $30 teens, $25 juniors
Conditions quote: ” Some of the best opening day conditions in years!”
Boyne Mountain
Opening date: Thanksgiving Day
Boyne Mountain actually opened for a couple of days earlier in November, but will re-open on Thanksgiving Day with 4 lifts and 7 runs.
All-day lift ticket rate: $35 adults, $30 teens, $25 juniors
Conditions quote: “There’s no better way to celebrate than to get in some turns with family and friends!”
Caberfae Peaks
Opening date: Friday, November 29
Caberfae’s 2013-14 season gets underway on Friday, November 29 with 3 lifts, including the North Peak Quad. Check the Caberfae snow report for updates on open runs.
All-day lift ticket rate: $24 adults, $24 teens, $19 juniors
Conditions quote: “It looks like the middle of winter at the Peaks!”
Crystal Mountain
Opening date: Thanksgiving Day
Crystal Mountain opens Thanksgiving day with 10 slopes, with 6 additional runs opening Friday, including the black-diamond Buck Glades, served by the brand-spankin’ new Buck Quad charlift. Additional terrain openings are possible over the weekend as snowmaking allows.
All-day lift ticket rate: $25 ages 13 & over, $15 ages 7-12
Conditions quote: “Mother Nature decided to unleash a lake effect snow fury on us!”
Nubs Nob
Opening date: Thanksgiving Day
Nubs plans to open Thanksgiving Day with 2 lifts and 4 runs, with a third lift and “at least another 3 runs” opening Friday.
All-day lift ticket rate: $35 adult, $35 teen, $28 child ($10 with skiing parent)
Conditions quote: “Looks like this cold air will stick around for another couple days allowing continuous snowmaking. YAHOO!”
Shanty Creek
Opening date: Friday, November 29
Schuss Mountain will open for the season on Friday, November 29. Check out the Shanty Creek snow report for updates on open runs and lifts.
All-day lift ticket rate: $25 all ages
Conditions quote: “Thank you, snowmakers and thank you Mother Nature for cooperating! Let it snow!”
