Skiing and riding returns Friday

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. – The announcement skiers and riders have been waiting for is finally here: The slopes at Crystal Mountain are on track for opening later this week.

Snowmaking conditions are favorable over the next few days with low temperatures, low humidity and easterly winds expected to help Crystal’s expert team of snowmaking wizards do their magic. So Crystal Mountain will open for season passholders, Four Season Club members and houseguests with lift passes on Friday. The general public who have purchased advance lift tickets will be able to ski and ride on Saturday, as conditions allow. Please monitor our website for updates.

“The resort has 153 snowmaking machines and a team on-call 24 hours a day. They can blanket the entire resort in about a foot of snow in about 45 hours,” John Melcher, chief operating officer for the resort, said. “So as manmade and natural snow builds from this past weekend and into this week, we’ll open terrain and lifts at a safe pace and an orderly manner.”

In addition, a new, 600-foot long, 12-inch diameter snow-making pipe that will allow the team to make even more snow and help build a more solid base – faster – is in place and will be cranking out snow. This new pipe pushes water faster, making more and better quality snow.

COVID-19 protocols will be in place at the resort, like all other ski areas across the country, with a mask policy in effect inside and outside when social distancing cannot be achieved. Those areas outside are in all lifts lines, ski racks, food service areas.

“Keeping our resort safe, but also open, is a shared responsibility between our guests and our team,” Melcher said. “I am confident we are well positioned, thanks to everyone’s efforts, to be safe to ski safe to stay open.”

A list of COVID-19 safety protocols and frequently asked questions can be found here. All guests should check the resort website and social media channels for updates and changes.

What else is new this year?

The resort has installed RFID lift gates, helping get skiers and riders on the slopes more efficiently. Lift passes are reusable cards and can be reloaded anytime – contactless and cashierless. 

Stay tuned to Crystal Mountain website, the web cams and daily snow report for updates.

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About Crystal Mountain:

Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination 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. Visit www.CrystalMountain.com for more resort details or information about Four Seasons Club memberships.

Crystal Mountain Media Contact: 
Sammie Lukaskiewicz
SammieLukaskiewicz@CrystalMountain.com
o: (231) 378-2057 
m: (517) 673-4177