Best Skiing and Snowboard Destinations in Michigan for Families

Dec 18, 2023

We love a good Summer vacation road trip, jam packed with opportunities to get in touch with nature and appreciate the great outdoors. There’s nothing quite like swimming, hiking, fishing, and boating with our friends and family. Until the winter hits and it becomes prime time season for snowy weather adventures, and we get to experience the thrill of jetting downhill on our skis and hitting the fresh powder on our snowboards!

Today, we’re going to share our picks for great winter weather getaways for skiing and snowboarding in nearby Michigan! While there are more than 40 different ski areas in the Great Lakes region of the state, we’re going to highlight our favorites to get you started. Planning a winter break vacation with your family and friends is a great way to beat the winter blues, too. Plus, gifting an experience and memory-making vacation is a wonderful alternative to traditional holiday gift giving.

As always, feel free to leave us your recommendations for your top ski and snowboard destinations in Michigan and beyond! Let us know what adventures you’re giving your loved ones this year for the holidays! They just might make it into a future update.

Mt. Holiday in Traverse City

This is a non-profit run recreational ski area with 14 trails and 12 runs to explore! It’s open December through very early March, conditions permitting, with peak average snowfall times in January. Beginners will be able to learn the ropes at their Ski and Board School, featuring 90 minute lessons and a lift ticket for the day! Group lessons are available by age groups. Perfect for families, visitors aged 0-4 years and over 70 years will ski free, and there are options for Family Season Pass packages. Equipment rentals are available for those who travel light or are just getting started. If you prefer something a little less intense, snow-tubing is available as well! There isn’t any lodging on site, but nearby lodging accommodations recommended by the Mt. Holiday crews include the Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort, Hotel Frankfort, The Old Mission Inn, Hampton Inn Traverse City, Blossom Hotel & Suites, and more.

Challenge Mountain in Boyne City

This fantastic location has one of the first independent adaptive skiing programs in northern Michigan, allowing folks with disabilities to enjoy year round recreational opportunities! Programming for events and lessons focuses on building community, strengthening personal confidence, and helping people realize their value on a personal level. Winter programming here includes Sit-Skiing, Snowshoeing, Sledding, Cross Country Skiing, and Downhill skiing. Limited options are available for equipment rentals, but feel free to inquire about availability! Adaptive ski-lessons can be scheduled for individuals, groups, and families on a private basis as well as group offerings available. If you’re looking for inclusive vacation options, this is the perfect destination! Lodging options nearby include Boyne Mountain Resort, Water Street Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott Petoskey.

Alpine Valley Ski Area in White Lake Township

While private and semi-private lessons are available for newcomers to winter sports as well as kid/teen group classes, this is the destination of choice for intermediate, advanced, and competitive skiers and boarders. Join one of the seasonal leagues and enjoy the exhilarating competition of head-to-head races for adults, teens, and kids alike. This season’s offerings have expanded to include the new SBX racing, an adults-only league for like-minded competitive adults. Choose from the 6 week Tuesday night series or the new SBX series on wednesdays for 4 weeks. Kids and Teens will enjoy Boardercross course races, Pinnacle Alpine Racing Club, Ascent Junior Racing, and high School racing options. For those who prefer to go it alone without the stress of competitive sports, explore one of the three different terrain options on site: The Rope Park – a high speed tow rope course; The Big Park – set up for big air jumps and higher speed rail tricks and train for competitions; The Snowcross Track – great for training on different terrains to build endurance or take your skills to new heights. There are several Hampton Inn/Suites lodging options nearby less than a 15 mile drive as well as The Olde Mill Inn of Clarkston.

Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort in Clarkston

Enthusiasts will go wild for the 17 different ski runs and 3 snowboard terrain parks on the grounds of Pine Knob! Novices and intermediate athletes can test their chops on a variety of slopes, or opt for group or private lessons to hone their skills further at the Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard School. Night Skiing hours are available until 10PM Monday through Saturday, and until 9PM on Sundays so you can make the most of your visit, or hit the slopes any time after your work day. Keep an eye on their ongoing events calendar, and you can sign up for special workshops and clinics to level up your ride experience. Local Lodging recommendations include the Millpond Inn Bed and Breakfast, The Olde Mill Inn of Clarkston, and the Comfort Inn & Suites.

Mt. Brighton Ski Area in Brighton

The downhill slopes at this ski resort might be man made, but who says curated hills can’t be exhilarating? With 25 different trails spread across 130 acres of terrain, there’s no shortage of excitement and fun here. Families have been flocking to this Michigan resort since the 1960s, and it’s easy to see why! Options include Sunset and Nighttime skiing (separate tickets required) as part of the “Dew After Dark” series in conjunction with partner sponsor Mtn Dew soft drinks. Group lessons and private class options for skiing and boarding are also available for all skill levels and ages, including multi-week lesson packages or Holiday Ski and Snowboard Camp programs. Got a need for speed? No problem! The resort offers multiple competitive programs including XLR8 Alpine Race Training and Adult Racing Leagues. Plus, there are many choice selections in lodging options nearby for you to cash in those mileage and hotel travel points you earned this past year!