Possible Work Trip to Michigan: Where to Ski?

[thetrailboss]

OK, I know it is midwest, but east for me (now).

I got word that I will likely be going to Ann Arbor for work in a couple weeks. It is probably going to be a quick out and back. I was doing some research to see if there was (any) skiing nearby to feed the need. Looks like there are some areas nearby:

Mount Holly: http://skimtholly.com/ 350 vertical feet

Mount Brighton (Vail): http://www.mtbrighton.com/ 230 vertical feet

Alpine Valley: http://www.skialpinevalley.com/ 300 vertical feet

The bar is pretty low obviously. Skiing is skiing for me. Looks like Holly is furthest and has the most vertical and a HSQ (yahoo! :lol: )

Probably going to be nightskiing as well. Any experience with these places?

Thanks.

 

[thetrailboss]

Some videos:

 

[snoseek]

Figure out who's got the best bar and go there

 

[Edd]

Wow, that vertical.... Is that Mt Bohemia place nearby?

 

[skiNEwhere]

I'm not sure you'll be able to handle any of those places after skiing a lowly ski area like snowbird. This is prime time now

 

[deadheadskier]

Haven't seen her around these parts in awhile, but isn't trekchick originally from Michigan? Might be worth a PM to her

 

[mikestaple]

Boyne Highlands up in the mitten part of MI. I don't think Alpine Valley is even close to Ann Arbor. (Stevey Ray Vaughn died there. Helicopter into the lift cables after a concert).


Sent from my iPad using AlpineZone

 

[deadheadskier]

wrong Alpine Valley. Stevie died at Alpine Valley Wisconsin

 

[skiNEwhere]

Wow, that vertical.... Is that Mt Bohemia place nearby?

My Bohemia is extremely far removed from anything resembling civilization. Which is too bad, looks like a fun place.

 

[VTKilarney]

What? You don't want to visit scenic downtown Detroit or Flint?

Asking for the best skiing in southeast Michigan is like asking for the best clam chowder in Fargo, North Dakota. It can be had, but you won't feel satisfied.

For example, Boler Mountain, in Ontario is proud of the fact that they just doubled their vertical drop. It now stands at 220 feet.

Mt. Brighton is owned by Vail resorts, so it may be worth checking out for that reason alone. They've dumped a lot of money into the resort, although money can't buy you vertical.

The only detachable quad in southeastern Michigan is at Mt. Holly.

Pine Knob offers a double black diamond trail. Take that for what it's worth.

I would probably choose either Pine Knob or Mt. Holly. The edge would probably go to Mt. Holly for the detachable quad. When the ski runs are the same distance as the lift, having a high speed lift makes a huge difference in the amount of time you spend on your skis compared to in a seat.

 

[Tin]

It's 45 minutes to Detroit and then $500 to Hancock County Airport near Bohemia lol

 

[ss20]

You've just lost all credibility on this forum by starting this thread :lol:

 

[witch hobble]

I'd go for Nub's Nob, just cause I like the name.

 

[dlague]

This is the most talk about Michigan skiing that I have ever witnessed!

 

[ScottySkis]

It got to be Bohemian

 

[thetrailboss]

Good humor here, guys.

Looks like I may not have to go after all......

 

[miskier1970]

I moved from the Albany NY area when I was 14 to SE Michigan and I live just outside Ann Arbor. Mt Brighton is the worst of the 4 in metro Detroit area. When I ski I go to Mt Holly they make decent snow, the HSQ is nice and you can ski a lot of vertical in a short amount of time. The runs are short and not very steep, but I feel they make the most of what they have to work with. When are you going to be in the Ann Arbor area? If you decide to go and want someone to with send me a PM and i may be able to go along. Having someone to talk to on the lifts makes it a little bit better when the hill lacks some.

 

[Blanton]

A few years ago a friend of mine and I drove up to Mt Brighton because they opened earlier than the Ohio resorts. After pulling into the parking lot we turned around and drove to the nearest gas station for a case of beer. We didn't put our boots on until all the beers were gone. We also paid our respects to the mural from Aspen Extreme, which has since been painted over.

I would recommend a similar strategy.

 

[skiNEwhere]

Put this into perspective:

If you were to drive from Ann Arbor to mt Bohemia, it would only take you one hour less than driving from the same starting point to whiteface. It's out there.

 

[Dmiller27]

Mount Brighton (Vail): http://www.mtbrighton.com/ 230 vertical feet



The bar is pretty low obviously. Skiing is skiing for me. Looks like Holly is furthest and has the most vertical and a HSQ (yahoo! :lol: )

Probably going to be nightskiing as well. Any experience with these places?

Thanks.

I've been to Mount Brighton. I grew up in Indiana and had a friend from Ann Arbor went up there once with him to visit some old friends. The thing to do was ski Mt Brighton and get drunk as piss afterwards on the weekends. I learned the word blumpie while I was there and probably the only reason I remember it. The place is built on a dump! LOL Totally forgot I've been there until you posted about it.

Crystal Mtn MI is 3.5 hours away and is tiny compared to anywhere you have skied but pretty fun place if you really have some time to Kill. http://www.crystalmountain.com/