What's New at Crystal Mountain for Winter 2025-26

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. – October 30, 2025 – An exciting season of changes is in store at Crystal Mountain this winter. The resort is putting the next phase of development in motion, offering more flexible options for lift tickets, introducing winter golf for the first time, welcoming a new mascot, and overall, continuing to invest in winter.

This season, guests will notice construction underway as the resort begins the initial stage of its North Village Project with a new Mountain Operations building. Expected to be completed this spring, the new building will be home to the on-mountain team, their equipment, and Ski Patrol. This development will make way for the next phase: First Tracks. The future slopeside building near the base of Loki will feature additional lodging, retail and will be the new home for the snowsports school.

"The launch of the North Village Project is the latest step in our commitment to the long-term master plan, Emergent Directions, that has guided Crystal Mountain’s growth for years," said John Melcher, CEO. "We have always believed in careful, incremental development to ensure we are building a sustainable resort community, over time. This new infrastructure marks an exciting new step towards enhancing the resort experience for every guest and family.”

This will be an exciting season for both Snowsports enthusiasts and golfers as Crystal Mountain is bringing golf indoors for the first time. Next month, the golf team will install two high-tech TrackMan golf simulators inside Kinlochen, where the Pro Shop is located during the warmer months. Open to all ages and skill levels, the simulators will allow guests to choose from over 400 virtual golf courses and keep their swing loose in the off-season. But it’s not just about food, beverages, and entertainment; the golf simulators will also be used for club fittings and lessons with Crystal Mountain golf pros.

Speaking of pros, Crystal Mountain is excited to announce Jayson Spaulding, a longtime leader of snowsports at the resort, as the new Snowsports Director. An American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Examiner and Level 3 certified instructor, Spaulding will guide the Snowsports School in product development, instructor training, and maintaining Crystal’s reputation for exceptional instruction. 

“Since Jayson joined the Crystal team in 2009, he has demonstrated strong leadership, implemented new ideas, and has continued to grow in his professional qualifications while earning industry certifications,” said Karyn Thorr, COO. “There’s no doubt our Snowsports staff and guests will benefit from his extensive experience coaching, managing our After School Programs, and serving as a member of the PSIA-AASI Central Region Education Staff.”

Here's what else is new for the 2025-26 winter season at Crystal Mountain:

• Crystal Flex: New 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-day Flex options will allow skiers and riders to choose when they want to hit the slopes. Both the individual flex passes and family flex passes are available with or without blackout dates. There is also the Flex Rental option open to anyone who needs rental gear for 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-days. Bonus: There are 600 new sets of Head skis and more than 50 new Burton snowboards in the rental department this season.
• Expanded Pass Reciprocals: Crystal Mountain Season Passholders now receive discounts at new partner resorts, including Giants Ridge in Minnesota, Marquette Mountain Resort in the Upper Peninsula, and Mount Holiday in Traverse City.
• Mountain Magic: Crystal continues to invest in its snowmaking strategy and capabilities both on the mountain and behind the scenes. Upgrades in the pump house and repositioning some of the 178 snow guns are just some of the efforts aimed at providing greater snow coverage early in the season, particularly in the Loki slope complex. Improvements have also been made to the long magic carpet in the Mountain Adventure Zone.
• Lodging Upgrades: The Hamlet Hotel renovations are complete, featuring new furniture, flooring, and accessories. Plus, the slopeside lodging has a fresh coat of paint, and all 38 ski lockers have been refurbished.
• Winter Trail Activities: The Cross-Country Center is expanding operations to be the unified home base for all cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking. There will also be more cross-country accessories, gear, and winter apparel available for purchase.
• Meet Buck! This winter, the resort welcomes a new official mascot, Buck. Inspired by the history of Crystal, the white-tailed deer is named after the original “Buck Hills Ski Area” and will likely hold many of its photo ops near the Buck chairlift this winter.
• Eats and Seats: Staying energized with food and drinks is an important part of skiing and riding. This season, guests can fuel up with the new Mac N’ Cheese Bar in the Clipper Café, which will have different options for noodles, cheese, protein, and veggies. The new slopeside firepits under the new patio lights outside of The Lodge are a great place for après ski, as well as the new location for the outdoor igloos in the Rose Garden via The Thistle.

Crystal Mountain targets opening the slopes for its Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend (Mother Nature permitting), officially launching what promises to be an unforgettable winter season.

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About Crystal Mountain:
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, Peak Fitness, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings, a conference center, and real estate options.

Media Contact:
Brittney Primeau
Director of Communications
D: 231.378.2091
BrittneyPrimeau@CrystalMountain.com