January is National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month! Learn the essentials of skiing and snowboarding with our professional Snowsports instructors and save money with special offers on lift tickets and lessons, available select days during the month of January.
Bring A Friend
As part of our, bring a friend skiing or riding with you and enjoy the following discounts!
Burton Learn to Ride Center
Crystal Mountain’s Burton Learn to Ride Center (LTRC) is one of just six in the Midwest. Burton technology combined with a shared teaching philosophy, and commitment to terrain design help students progress their skills, making this the perfect place to get on a board.
$20 Rental & Lesson
This month only, a ski and snowboard rental and 1-hour group lesson is only $20. With this deal, there has never been a better time to learn how to ride. Valid Monday-Thursday only. Advanced reservations requested.
What do you get when you combine gently rolling terrain, perfectly groomed slopes, and a friendly team of ski instructors with a couple lifetimes worth of experience? The answer: One of the greatest places in northern Michigan to learn how to ski and snowboard.
While thousands have mastered the “snowplow” and cut their first stem-christie turn gliding down one of Bay Mountain’s 15 beautiful runs, many thousands more have spent idle hours waiting in the wings for The Homestead’s master staff of instructors to work their magic.
That waiting promises to be a little easier at The Homestead this season, thanks to the newly remodeled Snowsports School, located in The Village, at the base of Bay Mountain.
“Signing up for ski and snowboard lessons on the spot can be hectic and uncomfortable if the space isn’t laid out just right,” says Jamie Jewell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our goal was to create an inviting, convenient, and classy place for people to learn about and purchase our lesson programs. With windows facing the slopes, comfortable seating, and complimentary coffee and treats, it’s also a great place for parents to take a break and hang while their children tackle the slopes.”
Guests are invited to stop in and check out the newly remodeled Snowsports School even if they don’t need a lesson. Have a coffee and take a break from the chill. With cold temperatures, fresh snow falling almost daily, and new ski packages and family-friendly offers like the “kids 17 years old and under ski FREE” deal,” the 2013 ski season is shaping up to be a great one for visitors to The Homestead.
The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area voted by viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America as the “Most Beautiful Place in America”. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting and banquet centers, and luxurious spa and salon throughout all four seasons.
Here’s a collection of photos from the January 2013 of skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of Michigan ski areas:
Schuss Mountain – January 26, 2013
Plenty of snow and comfortable temperatures… at Schuss Mountain a happy crowd enjoyed the bluebird skies and fresh snow…
Cannonsburg Ski Area – January 13, 2013
After a warm and wet couple of days, we are ecstatic to turn the snow guns back on and bring winter to West Michigan again!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters – Jan. 10
It is amazing how well we’re hanging onto our snow. This pic is from this morning (January 10, 2013). Hats off to the groomer team!
Crystal Mountain – January 10, 2013
102 year old Lou Batori stopped by to ski with us today! Lou is the oldest NASTAR racer ever and one of the friendliest guys around. Thanks for stopping by today Lou. It is ALWAYS a pleasure to ski with you! Lou appeared on CBS Sunday Morning a couple of years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR-OX_KiFdY
Crystal Mountain – January 5, 2013
USASA Huck Finn – January 5, 2013 – We lost our sunshine for this afternoon’s USASA Huck Finn competition in Tuck’s Terrain Park, but there was no lack of energy. Congrats to all of today’s Huck Finn competitors!
Caberfae Peaks – January 2, 2013
The “Dark Side” of South Peak opens tomorrow, which means the opening of 5 additional slopes: GG’s Ride, Bullet, Stagshead Bowl, Slot & Notch. Who will get first tracks?
Crystal Mountain – January 2, 2013
We are making a fresh layer of snow this morning and are getting ready to open 38 slopes – 90% of our skiable terrain! We have machine groomed slope conditions with 5 chairlifts and 2 magic carpets running today.
Ron Shepard, Snowsports Director at Crystal Mountain Resort offers the following information:
Tips:
Exercises, Games, Drills:
Begin with games and outings with easily attained goals or destinations.
Gain awareness of what feet are doing inside before going outside.
Take your kids to the Roller Rink for practice. Skiing has similar movements.
Side step up & down on stairs.
For snowboarders, stand on a cushion with the snowboard to feel the sensation of moving back and forth on the board.
Pick up boot rentals the night before so kids can walk around in them.
Nutrition & Sleep:
Make sure kids get a good night’s sleep so they have energy for the long day of skiing.
Eat carbohydrates the night before, but the morning of skiing focus more on protein & Vitamin C.
Hydration is key! Drink lots of liquid so kids are energized.
Bring trail-mix and/or granola bars on the slopes in case kids get hungry.
EQUIPMENT/CLOTHING
Kids will learn faster with equipment that fits.
Many resorts rent equipment for kids.
But if purchasing clothing, look for fabric that is water and wind-resistant, look for wind flaps to shield zippers, snug cuffs at wrists and ankles, collars that can be snuggled up to the chin and deep pockets.
Other items to consider:
Ski Helmets – Make sure the helmet fits correctly and wear the helmet without a hat underneath.
Dress in layers – Layering allows you to accommodate your body’s constantly changing temperature: Polypropylene underware (top and bottoms) which feels good next to the skin, dries quickly, absorbs sweat and keeps you warm, then wear a turtleneck, sweater and waterproof jacket.
Mittens are better for younger kids, non-cotton material.
Wear sunscreen! Even on cloudy days, the sun reflecting on the mountain can cause sunburns.
January is National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month! Learn the essentials of skiing and snowboarding with our professional Snowsports instructors and save money with special offers on lift tickets and lessons, available select days during the month of January.
What do you get when you combine gently rolling terrain, perfectly groomed slopes, and a friendly team of ski instructors with a couple lifetimes worth of experience? The answer: One of the greatest places in northern Michigan to learn how to ski and snowboard.
