With the winter coming up, skiers and snowboarders are already praying that the snowfall starts early and is plentiful during the winter season. The last couple of years have been hard on those who enjoy outdoor winter sports as we have not seen the same snowfall that we are used to. This means that their favorite slopes around the Mitten state have either stayed closed or had trouble staying open for long periods of time.

Michigan is one of the many states across America that experiences brutal winters that are full of snow, ice, blizzards, and other cold weather. This gives them not only an advantage but a great opportunity to lean into the outdoor winter sports that people enjoy. Hockey is already one of the most popular sports in Michigan, snowy football games, and sledding are all winter activities but none of them draw more than skiing and snowboarding.

There are thousands of skiers and snowboarders within the Mitten state, and they can't wait for the winter season to participate in something they love. Lucky for them, Michigan is one of the top states to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor winter activities because of the harsh winters. Michigan's circumstances and interests have led to there being 40 ski resorts operating within the state.

Michigan's 40 ski resorts are good enough for the second most in the country as they sit behind only New York who has 51 ski resorts in their state. Below is a list of some of the ski resorts here in Michigan:

  • Mt. Holiday – Traverse City
  • Caberfae Peaks – Cadillac
  • Crystal Mountain – Thompsonville
  • Bay Mountain at The Homestead – Glen Arbor
  • Hickory Hills Ski Area – Traverse City
  • Petoskey Winter Sports Park – Petoskey
  • Challenge Mountain – Boyne City
  • Boyne Mountain Resort – Boyne Falls
  • The Highlands – Harbor Springs
  • Bittersweet Ski Area – Otsego

If you'd like to know about some of the other resorts that are in Michigan than you can find them here. I may not be a winter person, but I know that having this many skiing and snowboarding options is only going to help your case for some people visiting or living in your state.

Mackinac Island's Ski Resort, 1971-1973

A Look Back at What Happened to Michigan's Popular Sugar Loaf Ski Resort

The once-popular northern Michigan ski resort was finally demolished in November of 202. Before its final demise, it lay in ruins for years. Considered at one time to be one of the best ski resorts around,  the lodge would see 3,000 to 4,000 skiers a day and was once the largest employer in Leelanau County. Take a look at the creepy shambles Sugar Loaf was left in for years.

Gallery Credit: Riley Fagan