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December 12, 2004Ski resorts express optimismMany making their own snow for openersByRecord-Eagle staff writer By Record-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Area ski resorts have a Christmas wish they hope comes true before the holidays - the arrival of snowy and cold weather. Some resorts are open for the season while others are making tentative, weather-based plans. Mild temperatures and lack of natural snow so far this month slowed the start to the ski season, but operators say there's still time to salvage a good December. "If it was Dec. 20, we'd be a little more nervous," said Joan O'Neill, spokeswoman for Crystal Mountain Resort near Thompsonville. Skiing and snowboarding are an integral part of the state's winter tourist economy, and most ski areas are coming off a strong season last year. A study on the skiing industry's economic impact by Michigan State University estimates downhill ski areas generate around $146 million per season and create an estimated 3,900 jobs. Those figures are based on an estimated 2.2 million skier visits in a season. Two-thirds of those skier visits are made by Michigan residents, like Dan Webster of Gaylord, who's been skiing for 20 years and enjoys exercising outdoors throughout the winter. "I ski mostly at Boyne and Nub's (Nob)," said Webster, who's 59. "The Boyne slopes are well-groomed and they have nice, long runs." Tourism analysts say northern Michigan captures 55 percent of the skier spending in the state, compared to 26 percent in the southern part of the state and 19 percent in the Upper Peninsula. The state also estimates that ski areas pull in about 72 percent of the money spent by skiers and snowboarders, while 28 percent goes to other businesses in the local area. Some of that activity is already under way at places like Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls and Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, both of which opened last weekend. Julie Ard, Boyne's director of communication, said reservations through March indicate it will be a busy season. With the addition of many snow guns over the summer, the resorts have more than 600 machines making the white stuff for the slopes. The two Boyne facilities offer almost 120 ski runs - 67 at Boyne Mountain and 50 at the Highlands. "We're doing all we can to provide the longest ski season possible," Ard said. Crystal Mountain also opened last weekend, is operating this weekend, and depending on the weather, may stay open for good starting this week. Crystal is anxious to get into full swing after being rated the No. 1 ski resort in the Midwest by Ski Magazine this year. The resort offers 45 ski runs and 10 lifts, and tripled the size of its learning area this year. Snow-making capacity also was expanded this year. "The No. 1 rating certainly has made people turn their eyes to Crystal who haven't been here before, or that were last here years ago," O'Neill said. "Reservations for the January, February and March period really look good." Nub's Nob Ski Area in Harbor Springs was open the last two weekends and workers spent this week making snow for the regular season. Jim Bartlett, general manager, said two new, expert-only gladed tree skiing areas will open this year, bringing the slope total to 49 with the addition of 15 acres of ski area. It also will offer the state's longest and steepest half-pipe. "We're an up-north resort with a lot of runs - the only major resort without lodging. Our focus is 100 percent on the snow and the experience for the skiers and snow boarders," Bartlett said. Tentative opening plans and related items for other area resorts include: - Caberfae Peaks near Cadillac plans to open this weekend. General manager Pete Meyer said a new terrain park named after former World Cup and Olympic team snowboarder Cammy Potter, who died of cancer this year, will be featured. Caberfae has 34 runs at full operation with six lifts, and 15 kilometers of cross-country ski trails. Four-day punch passes for $49 also will be available. - Bellaire's Shanty Creek Resort is slated to open Dec. 17, after twice delaying because of warm and wet weather. The facility has 49 slopes and 12 lifts at full operation between the Summit Mountain and Schuss Mountain ski areas, and 30 kilometers of cross-country trails. Director of snow sports Steve Kershner said the resort added new rental equipment and is expanding the terrain parks at both locations. - The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor is scheduled to open Dec. 17. Spokesman Nick Nerbonne said the resort will open a second terrain park this year for lesser-skilled snowboaders, and will offer guided snow-shoe hikes every Saturday. The resort has 16 runs and five lifts. - Mount Holiday in Traverse City is tentatively scheduled to open Dec. 18. The facility offers up to 12 ski runs and four lifts. - Treetops Resort in Gaylord will open starting next weekend and then full-time on Dec. 23. The resort has 23 slopes and is relocating some attractions this year. The tubing park is being moved closer to the on-site inn, the half-pipe closer to the restaurants and the ski shop to the base of the slopes. - Hanson Hills in Grayling has a tentative opening of Dec. 20. The facility has eight downhill runs and 35 kilometers of cross-country ski trails.
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