Crystal Mountain, Michigan

Crystal Mountain first began as a community ski area in the year 1955. 5 years later a group of investors bought it and renamed the hill to Crystal Mountain. In 1966 the resort again changed hands as the Petritz family with two other investors purchased Crystal.

Today the resort is still owned and operated by the Petritz and MacInnes families. A steady program of investment means that now Crystal Mountain boasts a host of facilities, activities and amenities. This includes downhill and cross-country skiing, an outdoor pool and water playground, a climbing wall, a 36 hole golf course, an outdoor 20-person hot tub, meeting/banquet facilities to cater up to 400 people, a fitness center, tennis courts, an indoor pool and whirlpool. The village also hosts a ski school and creche, a business centre, well-stocked ski shops plus several top class restaurants and bars.

The skiing at Crystal Mountain is laid out over one mountain and consists of 45 different runs, with varying levels of difficulty. There are 9 working lifts, consisting of, 1 detachable high-speed quad chair, 2 fixed-grip quad chairs, 2 triple chairs, 2 double chairs, and 2 'carpet style' surface lifts. The longest run is half a mile long and 27 slopes are lit for night skiing, seven nights a week.

Crystal Mountain is brilliant for first timers, with classes for every level of skiing experience. The resort has a reputation as having excellent ski instructors. With award winning programs, kid-friendly classes and equipment specifically geared to improve your learning, Crystal is the place not only to learn but excel and advance to the next level. For novices, green runs like Megan's wayon the North Face and Last Chance on the Ridge are highly recommended.

Intermediates,are spoilt for choice, with exciting runs like Pops Peak and Dandys Delight on the Ridge, BugaBoo and By George on the North Face and several more picks on the main face.

For the Advanced skiers, runs like Lower Gorge will keep you on your toes. Crystal Mountain has few runs for die-hard experts, but the blacks can be tricky and dangerous and not for the faint hearted - expect a complete adrenaline buzz from top to bottom.

There's a good choice of accommodation at Crystal Mountain ski resort. Pick from hotel rooms, condos, and town homes. For something a litte different try Kinlochen Lodge, a warm and welcoming Scottish themed lodge. Locations vary from the center of the ski village, to slopeside residences tucked into the hillside. Nightlife can be a little muted, with many skiers turning in early.