Ski Season Has Begun

Weather Not Totally Cooperating but Some Runs are Open

Special to The Spinal Column by Mark H. Stowers

The calendar says winter but Mother Nature hasn’t been cooperating on making any real snow for local skiers. But that hasn’t stopped the folks at Alpine Valley in White Lake. Office manager Mari Atreo says the ski run opened recently.

“It’s a little bit of a slow start but we’re getting there,” Atreo said. “We opened once and closed and reopened again Wednesday (12/12) and we’ll go as long as we can.”

With only a couple of runs open at this point in the season, Alpine Valley has had plenty of visitors taking turns on them. But when school is out and the holidays hit, Atreo expects more runs to be open and more skiers and snowboarders to be hitting the runs.

“The holidays are one of our busiest times as long as the snow is good. We’re hoping the weather will turn around for us,” she said.

The ski location has been in existence since 1960 and continually makes improvements to its facilities and runs. During the week, a lift ticket is $32 and rentals are $20. Weekend prices are $40 for a lift ticket and $25 for a rental. There are also rental classes available from group to private to semi-private beginning at $35 and up.

You can find more information at their website, www.skialpinevalley.com or call them at (248) 887-2180.

A little further north, you can ski at Mount Holly, www.skimtholly.com, where they have seven chairlifts and 19 trails to choose from. There is also a full service ski shop and two cafeterias on site.

Or you can stay on I-75 to Shanty Creek in Bellaire where there is plenty of snow and several specials and events to take part to celebrate the resorts 50th anniversary. OnTheSnow.com’s visitors have rated Shanty Creek as the “Best Downhill Terrain in the Midwest.” The resort has 55 ski and snowboard runs on two mountains that have six terrain parks. They have 175-inches of snow and feature a 450-foot vertical drop. Visit www.shantycreek.com for more information.