Skiing in Southern Michigan

Adventure Guide to Michigan
by Kevin & Laurie Hillstrom
1998

This guidebook has regional features and destinations for specific sports. They recommend these ski areas in south Michigan.

Cross-Country Skiing

1. Bald Mountain Trails
Seven miles north of Pontiac
"Bald Mountain Nordic Skiing is challenging and scenic with lots of rolling hills punctuated by the odd lake or stream."
Bald Mountain Recreation Area

2. Highland Recreation Area Pathway
Oakland County
"This no-frills (ungroomed, no shelter) system runs through the park's attractive Haven Hill natural Area which is off-limits to snowmobiliers."
Highland Recreation Area

3. Ionia Recreation Trails
mid-Michigan
"Six-mile loop that will challenge advanced skiers with its very hilly route."
Ionia Recreation Area

4. Maybury State Park Trails
Wayne County
"Nice getaway for more experienced skiers"
Maybury State Park

5. Muskegon State Park Trails
Muskegon
"Ideal for intermediate skiers, with varied terrain that ranges from mild rolls to more heart-pumping fare."
Muskegon State Park Winter Sports Complex

6. Proud Lake Trails
Commerce Township
"One of the most popular cross-country skiing networks in southeastern Michigan."
Proud Lake Recreation Area

7. Saugatuck Dunes State Park Trails
Saugatuck
"Tough but handsome"
Saugatuck Dunes State Park

8. Sleepy Hollow State Park Trails
Laingsburg
"The trails pass through a number of open areas, making for sometimes windy conditions, but the system does offer nice views of Lake Ovid."
Sleepy Hollow State Park

9. Yankee Springs Trails
Barry County
"Blessed with scenic countryside and an interesting blend of terrain, the Yankee Springs Recreation Area maintains half a dozen loops for skiers of varying abilities."
Yankee Springs Recreation Area

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding

1. Alpine Valley
Detroit area
Alpine Valley

2. Bittersweet
North of Kalamazoo
Bittersweet

3. Cannonsburg
outside Grand Rapids
Cannonsburg Ski Area

4. Mt Brighton
near Ann Arbor & E. Lansing
Mt Brighton Ski Resort

5. Mt Holly
1 hour north of Detroit
Mt Holly

6. Pine Knob
Clarkston
Pine Knob Ski Resort

7. Swiss Valley
north of Indiana border
Swiss Valley Ski Area

8. Timber Ridge
West of Kalamazoo
Timber Ridge Ski Area

In earlier posts I've listed some of their recommendations for Mountain Biking and Canoeing.

Or get the book from Barnes & Noble, or Amazon or Google books.