Michigan — After years of being abandoned and blocked off from the public, Sugar Loaf is scheduled to reopen to outdoor recreationists.
Last week, the Leelanau Conservancy announced that its public fundraising campaign has raised enough money to acquire the former Sugar Loaf ski resort. Thanks to over a thousand donors, the campaign successfully raised the $8 million needed to purchase the 285-acre property. With the money raised, the current landowners, who have vowed to donate the property, will transfer it to the Leelanau Conservancy. Work is scheduled to begin on transforming Sugar Loaf into a public park in the spring of 2026.
The plan is to transform the property into a public facility that offers a range of activities. Some of the planned attractions include a summit access trail, mountain biking trails, a summit pavilion, a community gathering area, a sledding hill, and picnic pavilions. So far, the infrastructure that made it look like a haunted place has been removed, so they’re in a prime position to begin construction.
While lift-serviced skiing won’t be making a comeback there, skiers will be happy to hear that it will reopen for shredding. Backcountry skiers will be able to earn their turns when there’s enough snow on the slopes. Cross-country skiers will also have pistes to explore.
The History Of Sugar Loaf
Opened back in 1947, Sugar Loaf became one of the most popular destinations for Midwest skiers and riders. It wasn’t just known for its slopes, though; it also offered various off-slope activities and lodging options. However, its lifts last operated in 2002.
In the years that followed, the site became an abandoned relic of the past. While these changes may not bring guests back to the glory days of the ski resort, this public park will allow a new generation of uphill skiers to experience the former Awful, Awful trail.
Image/Video Credits: Leelanau Conservancy, Skimap.org
