A Seasonal Transformation
There are only a couple weeks left to embrace winter in northern Michigan. Crystal Mountain will keep the slopes open for downhill skiing and snowboarding until April 2 (as long as Mother Nature allows), bike through what’s left of the snow on a fat tire bike, get ready for spring archery by trying your hand at winter archery, or breathe in the crisp cool air while exploring Michigan Legacy Art Park before it changes with the seasons to deliver a new experience.
As a four-season, family resort Crystal employees have to work months ahead to prepare for each upcoming season. So while the snow activities continue, plans for a successful golf season are in full swing. To get you in the mood for warmer weather, check out this special visit from our friends at Michigan Golf Live. We can’t wait to welcome them back this year!
So what exactly changes at the resort with the seasons? The better question might be, what doesn’t change with the seasons? Over the years, Crystal Mountain has learned to fully utilize the 1500-acres all year round. Let’s break it down:
| Spring/Summer/Fall | Winter | |
| Golf Courses | to | Cross Country Ski Trails |
| Golf Learning Center | to | Cross Country Center |
| Driving Range | to | Cross Country Learning Loop |
| Mountain Bike Trails | to | Fat Tire Bike Trails |
| Barr Park | to | Ice Skating Rink |
| Music in Level 4 | to | Music in the Vista Lounge |
| Outdoor Pool & Water Playground | to | Outdoor Laser Tag Arena |
| Downhill Mountain Bike Trails | to | Downhill Ski Slopes |
| James Bay Meeting Space | to | Tickets & Rental |
| Mountain View Meeting Space | to | Clipper Café |
| Archery | to | Mountain Adventure Zone Bunny Hill |
| Tennis/Pickleball Courts | to | Archery |
These are the most obvious seasonal transformations our guests will notice, so you can imagine all of the work that goes on behind the scenes as well! And while there are a couple hundred Crystal employees who essentially do the same job throughout the year, there are many employees whose job changes with the season.
But wait, there’s more! Instead of snowsports lessons, there are golf lessons. Instead of planning for March at the Mountain, Holiday Trails and New Year’s Eve events, plans are in the works for Michigan Beer and Brat Festival, Michigan Women’s Open and Total Archery Challenge.
As for weddings, meetings and conferences, those all happen any time of the year, but the venue options are different depending on the season. Of course, weddings are much more popular in the summer when you can take the chairlift to get married at Mountain Top Deck, or setup a ceremony at Petritz Pond, but winter wedding happen, too!
Needless to say, Crystal Mountain is proud to embrace every season in northern Michigan and the different guests who come along with them. If you’ve only visited the resort during the warmer months, we highly encourage you to come in winter, and vice versa. The resort, and all of the surrounding communities such as Traverse City, Frankfort, Bear Lake and Manistee.
Come one, come all! Check out the events calendar to see what’s coming up, choose from a variety of lodging options and check to see if there are any specials or packages that are right for you.