Ontonagon, Michigan — The Upper Peninsula is best known for one ski resort in particular: Mount Bohemia. However, many resorts up there get great snowfall. One example is the state-owned Porcupine Mountains, which relies entirely on natural snowfall. While prices are going up there for this upcoming winter, it still sounds like a great value.
MLive reports that the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex is increasing its fees for skiers and riders. Compared to the rest of the ski industry, though, the prices won’t be too hefty.
According to Mike Knack, who’s the supervisor of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the price hikes will “keep pace with rising operational costs and ensure fair competition with regional ski areas.”
The increases go as follows: a season pass is going from $225 to $280, lift tickets are increasing from $45 to $60, daily rentals will rise from $30 to $40, and group lessons are growing from $25 to $30 an hour per guest. For kids, a season pass is rising from $100 to $125, and a lift ticket is going from $35 to $45. Wait, that’s it?
“We don’t raise rates without careful consideration, and these Consumer Price Index-adjusted increases will allow us to continue the investment in the operations and maintenance that ensure quality visitor experiences for skiers and snowboarders,” said Mike Knack.
The one caveat is that to use the facilities, you need to purchase the Recreation Passport, which is needed to visit Michigan state parks. That’s an extra $15 for a yearly vehicle pass. Not sure how you would pull it off in the winter, but it’s only $7 per year for a moped.
The ski season is expected to start in late December, but it depends on natural snowfall.
About Porcupine Mountains
Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Porcupine Mountains offers great views of Lake Superior. The ski area has 20 ski trails, 3 lifts, and a 670-foot vertical drop. It also has 800 feet of hikable ski terrain, which actually used to be home to a cat-skiing operation run by Bohemia’s Lonie Glieberman. Although it’s state-owned, Mount Bohemia once operated the ski area. It gets decent snow, with an average of 200 inches. The state park is also home to an extensive Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking trail network. The ski area typically operates Friday through Monday.
As ski season preparation ramps up, the recreation area remains open to the public. They will be hosting fall foliage scenic chairlift rides on weekends through October 11th. The state park also has a disc golf course that’s open daily.
Image/Video Credits: The Porcupine Mountains, Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex
