Michigan has plenty of options for snowboarding when it comes to locations in the midwest. The state doesn’t get as good of snow as some of the larger western resorts, but there are still many great spots to explore.
I’m a lifelong snowboarder who loves everything about the sport. I’ve had the chance to ride in many different locations, and Michigan is one of them. I know where the top places to ride here are.
This post will highlight all of the best places to snowboard in Michigan. I’ll link you directly to the location and provide some other important information like what the spot is best known for and a breakdown of costs. It will serve as a snowboarder’s guide to riding here.
Let’s get started.
Contents
1. Boyne Highlands
- Official Website: https://www.highlandsharborsprings.com/
- Opening Date: December 5 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Longest Run in Michigan, Large Michigan resort
Boyne Highlands is one of the top locations to snowboard in Michigan. It’s a fun and accessible mountain, boasting over 400 acres of rideable terrain. It’s also home to the longest run in the state, giving you a ride of over a mile, which is impressive for the midwest.
This mountain is great for cruising and doesn’t have a ton of steep terrain. So you can easily get out and explore, even if you don’t have advanced level skills on your board. There is also plenty of lodging and good food options to eat directly at the resort.
Highlands is known for getting crowded after a fresh snow, so you’ll want to get here early to avoid the crowds if you can. There also isn’t a ton of expert-level terrain, so if you are chasing steeps, you might want to explore somewhere else.
2. Big Snow Resort
- Official Website: https://www.bigsnow.com/
- Opening Date: December 8 (Average)
- Closing Date: April 14 (Average)
- Best Known For: Two mountains for one lift ticket, good grooming
Big Snow is another excellent spot to ride in Michigan. This resort consists of two different mountains – Indianhead and Blackjack. They both offer good runs with a lot of varied terrains to explore. And they are close to each other and under the same lift ticket.
The mountains are located in the northern part of the state, so they are a little more challenging to access if you don’t live close. But this helps keep the crowds down so you can enjoy the runs without running into a bunch of other riders.
There are a few different lodges to stay right on the mountain, and the nearest town is about 15 miles away. Big Snow doesn’t have many modern chairlifts, so you need to be alert if you are trying to get on the lifts as a beginner.
3. Nubs Nob
- Official Website: https://www.nubsnob.com/
- Opening Date: December 12 (Average)
- Closing Date: April 1 (Average)
- Best Known For: Good powder, fewer crowds
If you want to chase fresh tracks after a Michigan storm, Nubs Nob is a great place to do it. This resort is less crowded than other places in the state, so you can get your fill of powder before the lines track out. It’s a bit of a hidden gem and worth checking out.
The resort also has some great trees to explore. If you like bombing through glades, you’ll love what it has to offer. The area also gets a decent amount of snow at around 140 inches a year, which is solid for Michigan. The snow can be wet but also really nice.
The downside is that there aren’t any lodging or accommodations right at the mountain. But you can find hotels in the nearby town of Harbor Springs, which is pretty close. Nubs Nob also has a pretty high day ticket price, so buy ahead of time to save some money.
4. Boyne Mountain
- Official Website: https://www.boynemountain.com/
- Opening Date: December 3 (Average)
- Closing Date: April 10 (Average)
- Best Known For: Storied ski history, high-speed lifts
Boyne Mountain is probably the most well-known place to snowboard in Michigan. It’s been around for a really long time and has a storied reputation that is well deserved. The resort has plenty of terrains to explore and gets decent snow all year long.
This popularity also means that it’s one of the most expensive places to snowboard or ski in the state. Day ticket prices are really high, so you’ll want to get a season pass or at least purchase a ticket ahead of time to save money.
If you do visit, you’ll get access to a lot of steep groomed terrain, which is really fun to bomb down. There are also a bunch of different lodging options at the resort, so you can have a fun and exciting ski trip with friends or family.
5. Mount Bohemia
- Official Website: https://www.mtbohemia.com/
- Opening Date: Jan 3 (Average)
- Closing Date: April 5 (Average)
- Best Known For: Long vertical drop (for Michigan), fun glades
Mount Bohemia is another great place to snowboard in Michigan. It’s a long way from Detroit, so it can be a trek, but you’ll be rewarded with good snow and a long vertical drop if you are up for the drive.
For tree-run lovers, Mount Bohemia is a midwestern dream. There are several great glades to bomb through, and after a fresh snow, you’ll be in for a real treat that is hard to beat. You can also access some pretty steep terrain, so it’s a good location for advanced riders.
Another cool thing about Mount Bohemia is that it has some pretty unique accommodation options. Yurts and other lodging will make you feel like you are on a serious ski trip somewhere a bit more exotic than Michigan.
6. Mont Ripley
- Official Website: https://www.mtu.edu/mont-ripley/
- Opening Date: December 17 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 26 (Average)
- Best Known For: Oldest ski resort in Michigan, right in a college town.
Mont Ripley is the oldest ski resort in Michigan, and it has a unique feel that is easy to get used to. It’s not as well known as some of the other big-name resorts in the state, but it still offers good terrain and a fun atmosphere.
The resort itself is operated by Michigan Tech University, which means there is always a bit of a college vibe around. This makes things fun, and on a good snow day, everyone there will be in a good mood. The atmosphere is always lively, which is a good thing.
There are a few bowls here that are worth exploring if you are an experienced rider looking for a good thrill. And you can find a lot of good lodging and dining options in the nearby town of Houghton if you want to stay awhile and enjoy the visit.
7. Marquette Mountain
- Official Website: https://marquettemountain.com/
- Opening Date: December 22 (Average)
- Closing Date: April 9 (Average)
- Best Known For: Family-friendly, good grooming
Marquette Mountain is a top spot to visit in Michigan’s upper peninsula. It’s a very family-friendly resort, so it makes a good stop for a family winter trip if you live in the state and want to get away. It has a welcoming atmosphere that is inviting from the start.
The resort does a great job of keeping most of the runs well-groomed. This means you can expect pretty decent conditions even if the area hasn’t seen a bunch of fresh snow lately. It’s also good for beginners or kids who want stable and consistent terrain.
There are also plenty of lodging and dining options right nearby the resort. Marquette is another college town, so you can expect full amenities and just about anything else you might be looking for. It has pretty slow chairlifts, so be prepared for a longer ride.
8. Caberfae Peaks
- Official Website: https://caberfaepeaks.com/
- Opening Date: December 16 (Average)
- Closing Date: March 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Good value, good variety of terrain
Caberfae Peaks is one of the most affordable places to go snowboarding in Michigan. If you want to have fun without spending a bunch of money on a trip, this location is well-worth checking out. And who doesn’t like saving some cash when they snowboard?
The area also has a good variety of terrain, so it can meet the needs of many different kinds of riders. There are plenty of groomers to bomb down, or you can try your luck at the backcountry terrain Caberfae has for more experienced riders.
There isn’t a ton of vertical drop here, so the runs are pretty short and sweet. But there is a lodge near the base area that is also super affordable. You won’t get the best terrain or conditions here, but you won’t pay for that either.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Michigan’s best places to snowboard.
Is Michigan good for snowboarding?
Michigan is a pretty good snowboarding location for the midwest. It doesn’t get as much good snow as larger ski areas in the west, but the resorts here are definitely decent. If you live in Michigan or are visiting, you’ll have plenty of options to ride.
Where is the best snow in Michigan?
Nubs Nob is one of the best places to find fresh tracks if there has been a recent storm. It’s not as crowded as some of the other resorts, so it can keep good snow around for longer stretches. There is also good snow at Mount Bohemia, and lake effect snow is always nice.
Is Boyne Mountain or Boyne Highlands better?
This depends on who you ask and what type of riding you like to do. Boynes Highlands has the longest trail in Michigan, so it’s a good option if you really want to cruise and have a long ride. Boyne Mountain has more high-speed chairlifts and amenities.
Final Thoughts
Michigan has a lot of different places to go snowboarding. The resorts listed here are the best the state has to offer and will give you many opportunities for good snow and a fun time. If you live here or are visiting, it’s worth checking out as many of these resorts as possible.
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