A First Family Getaway to Crystal Mountain

Two smiling people in winter clothing holding a key card, standing in a snowy forest.

Planning the first "big trip" with an infant can come with a lot of nervous energy. For the Midwest Husbands, that first milestone trip with their son, Bruno (under 6 months old), and Grandma Debbie brought them to Crystal Mountain.

Their takeaway? Not only is traveling with an infant possible—at Crystal Mountain, it’s actually relaxing. Here is how they navigated their first mountain retreat as a family of three (plus Grandma!).

Snow-covered house surrounded by tall trees and pine trees.

Home Base: The Luxury of Space

For a family trip with a little one, the Husbands recommend skipping the standard hotel room and opting for a more spacious accommodation, such as a Condo, Cottage, Resort Home, Bungalow, or Townhome. These accommodations can sleep at least four people and some up to 12. Pets are welcome in select accommodations.

The Midwest Husband Setup: David and Edward were assigned a two-bedroom WinterGreen Condo featuring a full kitchen, cozy fireplace, dining area, living area, and private deck. 

Pro-Tip: They set up the Pack ‘n Play in the upstairs loft area, creating the perfect quiet space for baby while the parents and adults enjoyed a “home base” setup downstairs enjoying pizza from Betsie River Pizza & Subs.

Waffle topped with whipped cream and strawberries on a white plate.

Dining Made Easy

When you’re coordinating around an infant, convenience is everything. The guys highlighted how Crystal Mountain’s dining options made every meal a breeze:

  • Wild Tomato: Their daily go-to for a breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruit, quiche, and—most importantly for new parents—bottomless hot coffee. The fresh food was the perfect way to start the day, but what really made it special was their server, Audra. Keep reading to hear the touching story of how she was able to give them a piece of northern Michigan to take home.
  • The Thistle: A Scottish-castle-inspired setting that felt like a "date night" but remained completely welcoming to a baby. While the Blackened Scottish Salmon was certainly memorable, they say the highlight of their dining experience was, once again, the staff. Their server, Haven, was so wonderful with Bruno that they sought her out later in the week!
Two people wearing snowshoes, smiling in a snowy forest.

Activities for Every Generation

Crystal Mountain is designed so that no one gets left out of the fun—from the youngest guests to Grandma.

New Adventures: David and Edward tried their hand, or feet rather, at Cross-Country Skiing for the first time. With beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails, they were able to make their way through the peaceful routes with lots of laughs and only a couple graceful falls. The couple also explored Michigan Legacy Art Park on snowshoes for the first time and loved it so much they each bought a pair of snowshoes themselves!

Grandma on Ice: When it was Grandma Debbie’s turn for winter activities, she chose the ice skating rink in Barr Park. Crystal Mountain has rental skates available for all sizes.

Man holding a baby, facing a smiling woman holding an owl toy in a cozy living room.

Core Memories: One morning, Grandma and Bruno spent quality time at the Park At Water’s Edge making a new Build-A-Buddy friend. Bruno went home with a snow owl named “Hoot,” complete with a Crystal Mountain t-shirt and “heart of courage” - a memento of his first trip to northern Michigan.

Relaxing Paces: A slower-speed adventure the whole family can enjoy is a horse-drawn surrey ride in and around the village core.

Four people smiling in a restaurant, one holding a baby with a heart covering its face.

The Crystal Difference: The People

Midwest Husbands noted that the true magic of the resort is the staff. On their final morning, their server, Audra, surprised them with a handmade gift of beach glass for Bruno to take home.

"That’s the thing about Crystal Mountain—the staff begins to feel like family. They made our trip feel personal and special."

The Verdict

Traveling with a baby doesn't have to be daunting. With the right amenities, spacious lodging, and a welcoming team, you can move past the "logistics" and get straight to making memories. As the Midwest Husbands put it: "We’re already looking at dates to come back this summer."

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