Michigan's Snowssports Industry At 50 ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -
This month, several Michigan ski resorts celebrate their 50th anniversaries.

While it's facing challenges, the state's snowsports industry is enjoying an upswing in business.

A trio of snow boarders finish a run down an icy slope at Crystal Mountain.

On this day, a mid-December thaw has the Benzie County resort bathed in fog, limiting visibility for skiers like Allen Petricus of Chicago. But, standing in line for the ski lift, Petricus says the slopes aren't the only reason he chooses to come to Michigan to ski

Just in case, there's the pool and the gym, and the hot tub. Petrincus says, And this morning, I just walked in the woods for about two hours.

There was other things to do, besides skiing and sleep.

Crystal Mountain is marking its 50th anniversary this season. Its one of a trio of Michigan snowsports destinations marking their half century mark this month. Ski Brule in Iron River and Mount Holly in Southeast Michigan are the others.

Crystal Mountain vice president Chris MacInnes was there at the beginning. Her father was among the group of local men who carved out the first trails on tree covered mounds, what were then called Buck Hills .

and the women cooked the food. And as kids we just ran around, we thought this was great, says MacInnes. There were just two rope tows and three slopes. There was the Buck, the Doe, and the Fawn.

Over the years, Crystal Mountain has grown from three runs, to more than 40. It has also mirrored the growth of the rest of Michigan's snowsports industry in other ways. While the resort has invested millions of dollars on new trails and snow making equipment, it has also spent millions developing non-snowsports investments.


Crystal Mountain president Jim MacInnes says the industry's bottomline is no longer solely dependant on the slopes


For example we have two gold courses at Crystal Mountain. We have a 33 thousand square foot conference facility. A one acre outdoor water park. MacInnes says Crystal Mountain provides its guests with a variety of activities, that allows us to provide jobs to our employees on pretty much a year round basis.

Jim MacInnes says Crystal Mountain employs more than 600 people during the winter. Chair lift operator Chip Leader is one of the resorts seasonal workers.

Before this, during the wintertime, I would do some odd jobs. Leader has his own lawn care service company, which he operates during the spring, summer and fall. He says the job at Crystal Mountain gives him a little fill-in' income.

In an average season, December thru April, more than 200 thousand skiers descend the hills at Crystal Mountain. Across Michigan, more than 2 million skiers and snow boarders hit the slopes.

Mickey MacWilliams runs the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association from the basement of her home in Clarkston.

MacWilliams says downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and other winter sports account for roughly a third of Michigan's 18 billion dollar tourism industry.

But, there is a problem. MacWilliams says the average length of a ski vacation in Michigan is shrinking.


Its kind of a luxury to have that kind of vacation (up to 7 days) anymore. MacWilliams says, They're taking three days, longer weekends, but not doing the whole ski week kind of thing.

McWilliams says she suspects Michigan's struggling economy is hurting the snowsports industry

We're seeing growth in the rest of the industry across the country, but not in the Midwest. MacWilliams notes, What do you stop doing when you're fearful of a layoff. You're not going to take your family out for a ski trip.

Michael Terrell is a freelance journalist who's covered the snowsports industry in the Midwest for two decades. He says the growth of snowboarding since the late 80's has helped stabilize the industry's regional fan base .

Terrell notes that the state's ski resorts have upgraded their facilities, adding trails specifically designed with snow boarders in mind.

But Terrell says, while Michigan's downhill attractions continue to prosper, snowsports venues that rely on the weather to make snow are having trouble. He notes a major mid-December snowmobile event had to be cancelled after Mother Nature refused to cooperate

That cost that town 300 thousand dollars in direct revenue, says Terrell, adding that it also lost out on national television exposure.

Several state snowsports officials fear global warming is squeezing Michigan winter season. Crystal Mountain's Jim MacInnes notes the Benzie County resort used to open Thanksgiving weekend. But now, even with snow making equipment, the resort's slopes are rarely ready for skiers before December 1st.

Sitting next to a small fireplace in the main lodge at Crystal Mountain, Chris MacInnes reflects on her role, not only as an owner, but as a descendant of the men who carved the ski resort out of the wild a half century ago .

You do have a legacy sense, MacInnes says there's a responsibility to make sure that the resort continue to present a wholesome' atmosphere, one that appeals to young skiers.

Its that's next generation of skiers and snowboarders that Michigan snowsports officials say they are committed to getting hooked on the feeling of descending down an icy slope, thru clear cold air, on a bright winter day.

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