Big Powderhorn
Blackjack
Indianhead
Mount Bohemia
Porcupine Mountains
Skiing and snowboarding in the upper peninsula of northwestern Michigan has a secret – well, several of them, actually – and you can ski it for yourself! The resorts of Powder Horn, Black Jack, Indian Head, Porcupine, and Mount Bohemia are located Near Ontonagon, nestled between Wisconsin and Lake Superior, between Sauté St. Marie and Duluth, Minnesota, there are ski slopes a-plenty! The area enjoys regular visitors from locals and nearby states, but despite glowing reports and great snow quality, this Porcupine Mountains region managed to stay a well guarded secret – until now.
Just seven hours' drive from Chicago, or about four hours from Minneapolis, you can be skiing or riding the slopes of Big Powder Horn, Blackjack, Indian Head, and Porcupine ski resorts! These locations may not be the largest mountains you've ever been on, but they may just be the most fun! With some of the hassle and time that flying takes up these days, a resort one can drive to is fast becoming more and more attractive.
Speaking of attractive, know what else is catching people's eye? The discount coupons and special deals we've compiled for your next Michigan ski winter ski vacation! Click on the links to the left of your screen, where you can find lodging deals, lift ticket discounts, ski and stay packages, coupons, and deals good at a broad range of locations, from luxury resorts spas, hotels, private home rentals, condominiums, to economy motels, from bed & breakfasts to cabins, to ski-in/ski-out slopeside condominiums and ski chalets. But that's not all! You'll also find coupons and deals on equipment rentals – shopping, and things you'll need, from skis and snowboards, boots and bindings, to demos of the latest and greatest planks! While you're there, get your specials and discounts at restaurants and meals and other attractions and family fun activities as well. We're here to bring you the best skiing and snowboarding in the area, and money-saving offers sure to keep you smiling all the way to the slopes! Just click on the categories for ski deals and savings.
Let's take a look at those resorts: We'll start with Porcupine Mountain, within the Porkies, as they're affectionately nicknamed. Porcupine Mountain offers a vertical drop of nearly 800 feet, 42 runs (including a longest run of well over a mile,) and terrain park, as well as 42 KM of cross country Nordic ski trail system. This mountain is on the banks of beautiful Lake Superior. From the slopes, you look out on the lake's blue waters, and can see into Canadian territory! What's more, Porcupine offers snowcat skiing on in-bounds back country terrain for a very affordably priced lift ticket upgrade! With over 16 feet of lake effect snowfall a year, the snowcat's access to fresh powder makes for a rare and awesome ride!
Indianhead Ski Resort is another fine member of the UP Michigan family. Their Big Chief terrain park, located alongside the Bear Creek run, has plenty of toys and props to play on, including a 60-foot S-rail! Their 638 vertical feet are carpeted with more than 17 feet of snow each year. There's also Timber Wolf, a beginner's terrain park, and 46% of the runs are considered Expert. The resort features a lodge, restaurant, the Sky Bar & Grille, Smiley's Cafe and the Summit Cafeteria. You can stay right there at the resort all weekend long and soak at night in a hot tub under the start or stay in one of the nearby towns like Ironwood that offers many lodging and accommodation options.
Blackjack Ski Resort claims over 210 inches of snowfall, 4 chair lifts, two tow ropes (to service a halfpipe near the base,) and a skiable 465 foot vertical drop. Their longest run is nearly a mile! Offering moguls on Spillway and Cameron runs, the entire mountain welcomes snowboarders and skiers equally. The vibe is warm and friendly, and the views of Ottawa National Forest are breathtaking.
Big Powderhorn is amongst the top 5 resorts in the Midwest. Running off of three parallel peaks onto 210-300 inches of snow a year, this full-service resort's groomed slopes and fresh powder, tuckable runs and terrain parks and half pipes have delighted many a skier and rider year after year. Not one to rest on their laurels, Big Powderhorn continues to improve and expand. Katie's Catwalk, for example, is a double-black diamond addition, and there are new rails and tables at the terrain parks.
Mount Bohemia located in the Keweenaw area of the UP and get more than 270 inches of snow annually. This lake effect snow is dry and similar to that of the western resorts. There is not grooming at Bohemia, but at nearby Porcupine mountain there are plenty of groomed controlled ski runs that are great for family skiing and snowboarding.
Three of these mountains are involved in an inter-exchange program that will allow you to ski any or all of them in one day, or over a 3-day period. Michigan does all it can to make sure you're having a great time! Be sure to click on those links now, to get your deals and discounts on the best skiing in the Midwest!
