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The Official Michigan Winter Thread

490K views 8K replies 153 participants last post by  sabatoa 
#1 ·
Alright everyone since Summer is over, fall has just begun and we've already had our first rail jam of the year, it's time to start a new thread for the 10/11 winter.

Last year we had the "Southeast" michigan thread, but I think we should do all of Michigan. Sure, most of population lives in S/E michigan but we all ride the same resorts in the LP and even the UP if we get a chance, so we should have one thread to bring everyone together.

Cheers everyone we're probably only like 70 days from open resorts!
 
#2,220 ·
...I seriously gotta get my shit wired 'n move to a real mountain somewhere out west!!!! :dunno: :confused: Seriously!!!
 
#2,222 ·
Yeah me too. If they get a nice jump line going there I'll be in heaven.


So Caberfae sent out an email, not that anyone here was expecting an opening on Thanksgiving weekend but they officially said it wasn't happening.

Based on the current weather forecast, a Thanksgiving Weekend opening is not going to happen this year. However, the temps are forecasted to cool at the end of this week and we'll get the snow guns going again as soon as possible.​

So there's that. I'm still holding out a sliver hope for December 1st. We'll see.
 
#2,223 · (Edited)
... I'm still holding out a sliver hope for December 1st. We'll see.
I wish you well on that! (...especially since it means they'll be open for my planned trips!) ;)

In addition to my Bday trip,.. I want to hit Highlands for their Demo days between Xmas & New year. I can take a couple of sick days that Thurs. & Fri. The way the calendar falls this year, I will still be able to be @ work the day before & day after the holiday's. That way I will still be able get my pay for the holiday!

Still don't know for sure if I'm gonna b able to swing the Big Sky trip I was hoping to make! :dunno: (...this addiction sure ain't cheap!!!) :D :rolleyes:
 
#2,226 ·
Some optimistic news from the meteorologists...

Lake effect snow is on its way to parts of midwest (incl Michigan) and the northeast.



Long-range forecasts now favoring above-normal snow for northern lower peninsula, east coast/appalachia.

A higher frequency of clipper systems is expected for the northern Plains and Midwest compared to what meteorologists were expecting early in the fall.

Clipper systems are fast-moving storms, originating from Alberta, Canada, that carry little moisture. Light to moderate snow usually falls on the northern edge of the clipper system track.
Clipper systems, FYI, are the namesake of Crystal Mountain's high speed "Clipper" quad chair.

 
#2,232 ·
It snowed a bit up north with some accumulation. Nubs, Cab, Boyne were blowing yesterday... their webcams do not look very good right now, but as long as overnight temps stay cold enough, long enough, and we don't get too warm or wet during the day...

The weather this week at Caberfae looks f'ing perfect until Saturday (of course!) overnight lows around 20F all week long, and daytime temps barely cracking 32, as long as it's not raining I'd expect to see them open on Saturday, possibly Friday, if this weather holds. Unfortunately at this point they're saying rain is possible on Saturday and Sunday.

Petoskey Nub's/Boyne Highlands area looks similar only they got 4" of snow in the forecast, too. But they're also calling for possible rain on Saturday/Sunday.

:(

We're close...
 
#2,233 ·
Hey Guy's,

I was wondering what the "usual" opening's were for the local hills here in SE MI? I'm talking about Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Alpine etc. (...I know it's wildly variable & weather dependent, just looking for the usual "average" dates.)

Since this is only my second year and many of you folks have been hitting these hills for years I was just trying to figure out when I might expect to b able to strap in and ride without having to hit the road & drive half a day or better to do so.

Thnx.

(...3"-6" forecast for lake effect in the Traverse Bay area? Still hoping for some luck for my desired BDay trip to Boyne!!) :thumbsup: :thumbsdown: :dunno:
 
#2,235 · (Edited)
I was wondering what the "usual" opening's were for the local hills here in SE MI? I'm talking about Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, Alpine etc. (...I know it's wildly variable & weather dependent, just looking for the usual "average" dates.)
Right now (or maybe next weekend).

I almost always go out of town for Thanksgiving, and I make sure to come home on Saturday in case Mt. Holly is open on Sunday. This year I still came home last night but I didn’t even put my roof racks or snow tires on ahead of the trip, knowing local places wouldn’t be open. (Don’t want to take a hit on gas mileage for Thanksgiving travel if there’s no riding on Sunday when I get back.)

Unlike the advice a few posts up, I do keep track of my snowboarding expenses. I do it for budget and planning purposes. I’ve never added it up, though. (I see some trips with missing gas expenses. And I haven’t kept track of equipment.)

So anyhow, looking things up, here are the earliest dates I've ridden locally the past few seasons. Keep in mind that these are my earliest dates. (If something was open before my first day out, I don’t have that info. I just keep track of when I go out.)

Keep in mind too that Mt. Holly will open with just a fraction of the hill (Woodward, Canyon, beginners' tow, and small park on Snowstream).

2011 -- December 10, Mt. Holly
2010 -- November 28, Mt. Holly
2008 -- November 23, Mt. Holly
2007 -- November 25, Mt. Holly
2006 -- December 5, Mt. Holly
2005 -- December 1, Alpine Valley

Also keep in mind that Thanksgiving was “early” this year because November 1st fell on a Thursday. So like I said up top, right now or maybe next weekend is typical, at least over the the past handful of years.
 
#2,234 ·
well it looks like its going to be cold enough at night to blow, but they are saying back up into the 40's maybe 50's after that. Im thinking that alpine and brighton may not even be ready until the 3rd week of december if we are lucky.

Plus it looks like up north may have some rain coming in a week. If that moves or sweeps south that will delay alpine and brighton from starting up the snow machines (very expensive to make snow).
 
#2,237 ·
Forecast up north right now is good -- 5" in Petoskey (Nub's, Highlands) and temps plenty cold to blow for extended durations -- although there's that pesky chance of rain this weekend which might delay an opener in that side of the state. Highlands is boasting 37 consecutive hours of snomaking right now on top of the natural stuff.

I'd say coin-flip odds that Nubs or Highlands opening limited runs all depends on what they can make and on the rain.

Right now, Caberfae has no rain in the forecast and prime snowmaking weather they've got the best odds to open this weekend, IMO.

Cannonsburg in GR doesn't have any rain in the forecast although it's still going to warm up late in the week, they've got potentially only 3 real nights of snowmaking Mon-Wed and with the warm weekend it leads me to believe that even if they can lay down some base they won't be opening this week.

The weekend down around Alpine/MTH/PK/Brighton looks bunk, warm and possible rain a few days next week so I don't have my fingers crossed for a Mt Holly opener on Saturday but after that the long-term for December looks cold or average cold so after this week hopefully we're in the clear.

Or you could always drive 9 hours to Ski Brule, they've been open for 2 weeks. :cheeky4:


TL;DR -

Best bet for this weekend is Caberfae, Highlands, Nubs in that order with a maybe 20% shot at Cannonsburg.
 
#2,238 ·
Hey! It's great to find a thread just for Michigan, which is where I mostly ride.
I've been hoping that Bittersweet will be able to open soon, but looking at the "beautiful warm sunshine today", as the stupid weatherman put it, I don't think that's likely to happen any time soon. :(

Oh well, I suppose it doesn't really matter...
After all, I've only been anticipating snowboarding again since AUGUST! And a lot of people have been saying that this winter is going to be really rough. Thankfully I saw the first sign of very, very light snow this season yesterday, when it was below freezing all day. A woman at work was complaining about it. I said it's good, winter is awesome, and she just gave me the most serious look I've ever seen and told me "you're crazy." :confused:

I got a feeling she might be one of those Florida people (who go to spent the winter in Florida):laugh:
 
#2,239 · (Edited)
Hey! It's great to find a thread just for Michigan, which is where I mostly ride.
Cheers & welcome to the MI thread, it's actually one of the more active threads on SBF, although I think most of the activity is from Southeast MI, there are probably a few people from the West side, too.

A few of us are planning a meetup at Cannonsburg when they have the Airbag event in mid-January.

We try to coordinate (informally) like by posting that you'll be riding at such-and-such mountain tomorrow at 10am or whatever, but we'll probably have another more formal meetup "event" later in the season, too.
 
#2,241 ·
Boynes officially called their season opener for Friday December 1.

Look for others to follow suit I'm sure Cab will be opening this weekend.

Rumors have it that Mt. Brighton (blech) could open by TOMORROW and that Mt. Holly (yay) could open by Wednesday.

In any case it looks like we'll be sliding this weekend.

:giggity:
 
#2,243 ·
HOT DAMN!!!! My board is waxed & ready!! Boyne's web site makes their coverage look pretty good. Also saw that a couple runs @ Highland are already open!!! :giggity: INDEED !!!! (...need an emoticon here for "jumping up and down, pissing myself in anticipation!!!)

ROAD TRIP????? :eek: :D :laugh: :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
#2,244 ·
...you know something, It's a Sad state of affairs when I can get this worked up & excited over a couple lousy inches of shitty man made slush, ain't it?? ;) :rolleyes:

By God,.. I'm gonna ride SOMEWHERE this weekend!!!! :laugh:
 
#2,248 ·
So,.. seriously! What spots are you guys planning to hit up with the openings this week? Who's heading north & where? Who's gonna stick around & ride the locals and make do with their sparse man made coverage?

I REALLY would like to head to Boyne this weekend. Don't know for sure if I will. Looks like I'll get my Birthday trip in for sure though! I was seriously worried they wouldn't get open in time this year!! Definitely STOKED about that. I plan to head up Thurs. night Dec. 6th after work. That way I can make first chair Fri. morning and get 2 1/2 days of riding!!!

Breaking Weather News: Heard just now on the WC,.. the Mi town of Wakefield?? has seen 2 ft !! of Lake Effect!! (WTF is Wakefield??? & do they have any hills???) :dunno: ;)
 
#2,250 ·
Tree Tops -- Free skiing

Not sure who would be interested but here is an an email I received from a buddy yesterday

I don't know if anyone is interested in skiing yet (or at all!), but I couldn't resist because we got a great deal for skiing for FREE for Dec 14-16 weekend. If you want to drive to Treetops they said that it is snowing and they are also making snow now. Skiing is free Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if you stay there. The rooms are only $79 a night, you have to call them and ask for this rate. The total price for the 2 nights with 3 days of skiing and taxes and fees was $195.00. I think we spent about that much skiing at Mt. Holly and Pine Knob for just 1 day with no accomodations. Information for the free ski weekend is located here TreeTops Resort :: Free Ski Weekend

The room I booked is at "The Inn", not at the nicer "Lodge", but we stayed there last season and it is a typical ski type place, and has a decently sized indoor pool and big hot tub with an arcade and wifi. I suppose if there is a heat wave and there is no snow, it will instead be a swimming and hotel weekend. The rooms have a mini-fridge and they are located right at the top of the ski hills, no shuttle needed. It is family oriented and a good place for kids to ski because all of the lifts dump back off at the area of the Inn.

If you want to save even more money and are willing to put in the effort there is someone selling a $100 gift certificate for $60 or best offer on craigslist.
 
#2,252 ·
Tree Tops -- Free skiing

Not sure who would be interested but here is an an email I received from a buddy yesterday

I don't know if anyone is interested in skiing yet (or at all!), but I couldn't resist because we got a great deal for skiing for FREE for Dec 14-16 weekend. If you want to drive to Treetops they said that it is snowing and they are also making snow now. Skiing is free Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if you stay there. The rooms are only $79 a night, you have to call them and ask for this rate. The total price for the 2 nights with 3 days of skiing and taxes and fees was $195.00. I think we spent about that much skiing at Mt. Holly and Pine Knob for just 1 day with no accomodations. Information for the free ski weekend is located here TreeTops Resort :: Free Ski Weekend
.
Treetops is a fun resort, but small. But it's fun, and their new management is committed to making it a better & more popular little resort.

That's a sick deal, I say go for it.
 
#2,251 ·
Definitely riding this week.

Pretty sure MTH will open tomorrow. PK says maybe today, but I guess they didn't make enough snow yesterday so they're still considering it.

I'm hoping to ride a few hours after work tomorrow if MTH or PK is open.

Also looking to ride this weekend. I had planned on driving up north but that was under the assumption that none of the local hills would be able to open yet. As it seems they will be open, I will probably stay down here what with the baby at home, I need to use my travel days wisely and opening weekend is probably not the best investment in that regard.
 
#2,255 ·
Definitely riding this week.

...I had planned on driving up north but that was under the assumption that none of the local hills would be able to open yet. As it seems they will be open, I will probably stay down here what with the baby at home, I need to use my travel days wisely and opening weekend is probably not the best investment in that regard.
Hate to say it Dave, but you're probably right about that. I could save a little coin stayin' local this weekend and use the money I save for an additional trip el' norte' later in Dec. (...especially since I have a feeling I will be getting violently ill Oh,.. right around the end of Dec. HEY,.. ins't that about the time they are having their Demo Day @ Highlands?????) ;) ;) :cheeky4: :laugh:
 
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