A Mom's Guide to Crystal Mountain

Cozy fireplace with a stone surround and nearby decor, viewed from a relaxed angle.

Katie Jones with Detroit Moms shares her experience of embracing all things winter at Crystal Mountain.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting Katie from Detroit Moms, who brought her family up from the metro Detroit area to experience a classic Northern Michigan winter getaway. As a self-proclaimed "non-skier" but part of a newly founded "ski family," Katie shared some fantastic insights on how to make the most of a resort stay—even if you aren’t the one hitting the black diamonds.

Here are a few of our favorite highlights from her trip:

People sitting on snowy steps in front of a cottage, wearing winter clothes.

From the East to the Northwest

Crystal Mountain is only about a three-and-a-half hour drive from the Metro Detroit area, and is a true escape to a winter wonderland. Sometimes the hardest part of booking a trip can be figuring out an accommodation that works for the whole family. Crystal Mountain offers a variety of lodging that will fit any family’s needs!

Woman and child sit on a window seat, gazing outside.

Where to Stay at Crystal Mountain

The "Home Base" Advantage

Katie and her crew stayed in one of the Cottages at Water’s Edge. Her pro-tip? Look for an accommodation with a washer and dryer—it’s a game-changer for drying out snowy gear between sessions! She loved the "day in the life" feel of being able to spread out, play games in the living room, and enjoy family meals in a full kitchen. The three-bedroom Cottage featured a gas-log fireplace, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a personal snow gear locker right by the front door. 

Check out her full blog for a "day in the life" at the cottage, including walking to a fitness class, breakfast at the Wild Tomato, swimming, take-out from Betsie River Pizza & Subs, and family games.

Snow-covered bungalows during a snowfall.

Other Accommodations

In addition to the cottages, you can also choose to stay in a bungalow, condo, hotel, resort home, studio, suite, or townhome. Explore the full list of accommodations and find just what you’re looking for.

Child skiing with an instructor on snowy slope.

Take a Lesson

Katie emphasized that even if you’ve skied before, a lesson at the start of the trip is the best way to build confidence and ensure everyone actually has fun on the mountain.

"Whether you are a beginner or have been skiing or snowboarding for years, there are so many benefits to a lesson. This is our kids' second year skiing and snowboarding, and in their two-hour lesson, they improved so much, which gave us the confidence to hit the slopes with the skills they needed."

Katie's kids (ages 5 and 9) took the Builder Private Lesson, which started on the Crystal Carpets in the learning area, where the kids worked on fundamentals. The older child only needed a few runs on the magic carpet, and then he was off to the chairlifts with his instructor, where they worked on how to slow down, turns, and getting used to being on skis.

"As someone completely new to the ski world, I can’t recommend a lesson enough. As parents, we may have the skills to teach our kids, but that doesn’t always mean we are the best teachers."

One of the highlights of booking a youth lesson at Crystal Mountain is the Flaik technology. Flaik is a GPS tracking device that allows parents or guardians to see where their kids go on the mountain. When the lesson is finished, a recap of the lesson is shared with the family via email, which makes it easy and clear for parents or guardians to know what their kids are able to accomplish. Bonus - it's a great conversation starter to talk about which runs were their favorite!

"My kids had a blast and built confidence being with instructors who were encouraging, kind, and knew way more than we do! I highly recommend getting your kids a lesson; we wouldn’t have had such a successful trip without this at the beginning."

There are several different options for lessons: Basic Private Lesson, Builder Private Lesson, Best Private Lesson, Nanny McSki, Private Race Lesson, and Group Lessons. Check out her full blog for a play-by-play of her kids' lessons.

Explore Lessons

A skier and snowboarder on a lit snowy slope at night, surrounded by trees.
Two people in ski gear outside a snowy lodge entrance at night.
Skier in black jacket on snowy slope, overcast sky above.
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Child's hand holding a pizza slice above a pizza box.

Where to Eat

One of the biggest perks of a Crystal Mountain getaway is that you never have to leave the property to find a great meal. Katie shared her family’s "greatest hits" from their recent stay, proving that resort dining can be both high-quality and totally kid-friendly.

Betsie River Pizza & Subs: A great take-away option for a cozy night in at your accommodation.

  • The Jones Family Favorites: BBQ Chicken and Cheese pizzas for the kids, plus a fresh Antipasto Salad and Wings for the adults. Pro-Tip: Don't skip the Pan Breadsticks—in Katie’s house, they were the undisputed star of the order!

Wild Tomato: Located right in The Lodge, Wild Tomato is the perfect spot to kick off a day on the slopes.

  • The Jones Family Strategy: Katie ordered the Farmer’s Breakfast, a hearty plate of classics perfect for sharing with little ones who inevitably want a bite of Mom's plate. The kids loved the pancakes topped with fresh strawberries, while the Greek Yogurt Parfait offered a lighter, protein-packed start. The Breakfast Burrito was so good her husband didn't even offer a bite!

The Thistle: For a meal that feels like a "night out" without the stress of a formal dress code, Katie recommends The Thistle. While the food was a hit, she noted that the standout service made the biggest impression—the staff was incredibly patient and engaging with her children.

  • The Must-Order: The Truffle Burger and the Chicken Diane (the mashed potatoes and haricot verts were "perfection"). Pro Tip: If the Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the daily special during your visit, Katie gives it a "10/10 recommend."
Two coffee cups with black lids on a granite countertop.

Other Bites Around the Village: Katie noted that no matter where you are on the mountain, a quick snack is never far away. 

  • The Waffle Cabin is a must-visit for that iconic slope-side treat!
  • Mountain Market for local produce, Michigan-made goods, souvenirs, snacks, beverages, and everyday essentials.
  • Bru Bar for coffee (hot or cold) and baked goods.
  • The Yurt is the only place you can eat on the mountain. You must be on skis or a snowboard to access the family-friendly hut which is accessible from the Crystal Clipper chairlift near the top of the Backyard slope complex.
  • Vista Lounge for drinks and food with a top-notch view overlooking the slopes! Ages 21+ on the weekends.
  • Clipper Cafe has all the resort staples, from burgers, fries, and chicken tenders (also known as chicken planks at Crystal Mountain because of the size), to cold wraps, sandwiches, and a salad bar. NEW on the weekends - the Mac n Cheese bar with a variety of noodles, cheeses, and must-have toppings.

On-site Dining

Child walks through snowy forest archway in winter clothing.

More Ways to Play

While the skiing and snowboarding are world-class, Katie discovered that the magic of Crystal Mountain extends far beyond the chairlifts. Whether your family is looking for high-energy adventure or a quiet way to warm up, there is something for everyone to experience.

  • The Classics: Go ice skating in Barr Park or enjoy a magical horse-drawn surrey ride through the snowy grounds.
  • Explore the Trails: Try fat tire biking, cross-country skiing, or a peaceful snowshoe hike through the beautiful Michigan Legacy Art Park.
  • Warm Up: A soak in the outdoor hot tub or a trip to the indoor pool are family favorites.
  • Treat Yourself: For the ultimate relaxation, visit the Crystal Spa or head to the fitness center for a class.
  • New for Golfers: Even in the winter, you can test your swing on the brand-new TrackMan golf simulators.

Final Thoughts from Katie

  • Everything you could possibly need is in the village. Whether it’s a grocery store or a spot to buy replacement gloves, you don’t need to leave!
  • We highly recommend starting the trip with a lesson to make everyone’s time more enjoyable.
  • Book an accommodation with a dryer, you won’t regret it!
  • Pack hand warmers and blankets.
  • Rentals are available for both skis and snowboards of all sizes.
  • Bring chapstick and SPF.
  • Our kids’ favorite runs were Hoot Owl and Emmy!

If you’re like me and find the need to embrace this winter, Crystal Mountain is the perfect place to do it. As someone who did not grow up in a ski family, it felt overwhelming to tackle, but with this itinerary, you can do it! We can’t wait to see you on the slopes and hope our Mom’s Guide to Crystal Mountain has inspired and built confidence in you!

reserve your stay

Sample Three-Day Itinerary for Crystal Mountain

Day 1

  • Leave early morning to be there by noon
  • Plan for an afternoon ski or snowboard lesson
  • Get settled into your accommodation while the kids take a lesson
  • Pick the kids up and grab a waffle and hot cocoa at Waffle Cabin after your lesson
  • Evening skiing
  • Dinner at The Thistle
  • Cozy night at your accommodation

Day 2

Day 3