Wintersports
Snowboarding
Top 10 snowboarding spots in Michigan
These 10 spots are just a sampling of the winter destinations and activities Michigan has to offer.
“It’s just so surreal what my life is like now,” says street snowboarder and Michigan native Grace Warner. “I owe it all to the entire Detroit snowboard scene—they’ve made me feel included and supported and motivated me so much.”
Midwestern snowboarding may not get as much recognition as the big resorts out west, but snowboarding in Michigan is on the rise. The state routinely ranks in the top 10 (if not top five) for annual snowfall and has 40 resorts. Red Bull Heavy Metal, the single-day street snowboard contest, even took place in Detroit this year.
Grace Warner at Red Bull Heavy Metal 2023 in Detroit, Michigan
© Joe Gall / Red Bull Content Pool
From well-known spots in the Upper Peninsula to low-key gems an hour or so from Motown, beginners and advanced snowboarders can all find a mountain here they'll love.
Top 10 Snowboarding Spots in Michigan
Here are the top 10 snowboarding spots in Michigan.
01
Snowriver
This resort used to be called Big Snow, but now it goes by Snowriver. The ski area has 56 trails with 410 skiable acres. If you’re a beginner, we recommend Indianhead Mountain with its new ski carpet.
- Location: Wakefield, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: The resort averages 17 feet of annual snowfall. It also overlooks the Ottawa National Forest, so the views from up the mountain are pretty great, and there are plenty of great dining options in town.
02
Boyne
Boyne has two sections for downhill skiing and snowboarding: Boyne Mountains, for more intense riding and cool in-town vibes, and the Highlands for more family-friendly, chill snow runs and atmosphere. Don’t be surprised if you see families going on sleigh rides in the Highlands.
- Location: Boyne Falls, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: The resort averages 13 days of snow in both January and February, so there’s a solid chance you’ll snowboard through fresh powder in the prime winter months. The resort also makes an effort to keep its gear rental prices low, so it’s a great spot for beginners to save some money when learning.
03
Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain
© Photo by Kaitlan Balsam on Unsplash
Crystal Mountain is probably the most luxurious resort in Michigan for snowboarding and skiing. Lodging options at the mountain can accommodate over 1250 guests, all of whom can walk out their door right to the slopes. There are 102 acres of skiable terrain, with fans comparing it to Steamboat in Colorado and Deer Valley in Utah.
- Location: Thompsonville, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: More than half the runs are intermediate, but there’s a healthy mix of beginners and advanced, so anyone can have fun here. Night riding is also an option. With more than 2,600 rideable acres, there are plenty of trails to explore.
04
Brule
Brule prides itself on being the first resort to open as early as October, and the last to close its doors, roughly six months! It means both early and late-season snowboarding are options. There are 17 trails, as well as night skiing and snowboarding.
- Location: Stambaugh Township, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: Brule offers about 105 inches of fresh snow per year. They also have some of the hardest runs in the state, like Double Doodle and Rapids.
05
Nub’s Nob
A unique perk is that the beginner hill is open to anyone during daytime hours for free—you just need appropriate gear. Beginners can come practice here and save their pennies while they figure out the basics. Meanwhile, Nub's Nob also offers more than 248 acres of skiable terrain and a 427-foot vertical drop!
- Location: Harbor Springs, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: Cold weather and snowy conditions are common here. Located in northern Michigan, Nub’s Nob boasts 53 runs and more than 150 inches of snow per year, making it one of the better resorts for natural snowfall.
06
Pine Mountain
There's a 176-foot ski jump at Pine Mountain, the largest in the United States, which meets the requirements of the International Snowboard Federation. It has been known to attract professional snowboarders traveling through the midwest, who want to soar 55 mph in the air, landing anywhere from 200 to 400 feet from where they jumped.
- Location: Iron Mountain, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: Pine Mountain offers 30 acres of beginner routes across four lifts, so beginners can tag along with more skilled friends. Day rates are also on the lower side here (currently $65 for adults). This area of the Upper Peninsula is also known for its beautiful lakes and waterfalls, so the views are stunning.
07
Shanty Creek
Shanty Creek bills itself as more of a family-friendly outdoor resort. The amenities are a laundry list that includes: skiing, snowboarding, golfing, nordic trails, snow tubing, and more. As such, they have a healthy mix of beginner and intermediate runs (about 68 percent of their total trails).
- Location: Bellaire, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: Shanty Creek has two areas, one better suited for beginners and another for more seasoned riders. They get about 100 inches of snow per year and have 56 routes available for night riding.
08
Big Powderhorn
Another Upper Peninsula gem, Big Powderhorn, is one of the largest ski resorts in the state. It routinely ranks in the top lists of best snowboarding spots in Michigan, although it’s a bit of a haul to get to. (9.5 hours by car from Detroit.) Over 250 skiable acres of terrain plus about 200 inches of snow yearly!
- Location: Located between Bessemer and Ironwood, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: It’s an all-year resort with 180 acres of “blue” and “green” routes and is very family-friendly. Besides snowboarding, you can snowshoe, fatbike and cross-country ski inside the resort.
09
Mt Holly
The weather can be a little inconsistent at Mt Holly. It isn’t as far north as the other resorts, so check the snow report before heading there. Still, for being so close to the city, it’s a decent-sized mountain. It stands at 1105 feet and has a 350-foot vertical drop.
- Location: Holly, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: An hour north of Detroit, meaning easy access from the city and also close to Lansing. A day pass is $52, which is much cheaper than some of the options up north.
10
Porcupine Mountains
Affectionately referred to by locals as “The Porkies,” this Western Upper Peninsula spot sits on the shore of Lake Superior. The mountain opened in the 1940s and was one of the first seasonal winter ski resorts in the midwest.
- Location: Near Silver City, Michigan
- Why It’s Good: A season pass can be had for just $225, which is a steal compared to other mountains, although getting there from pretty much anywhere other than northern Wisconsin is going to be a haul.
Conclusion
From adventures in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to street snowboarding in and around Detroit, Michigan is home to some pretty stellar outdoor activities, and these 10 spots are just a sampling of the winter destinations and activities Michigan has to offer. Also check out the Red Bull Snow Scramble, a UTV snow race unlike any other, taking place in northern Michigan.
