Big Powderhorn Mountain Ski

09/26/05

Featuring well-groomed facilities and the third-highest vertical drop in the state, this resort offers snowbound fun for the whole family.

by Contributor

The Scene
On three peaks rising from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Big Powderhorn offers 27 runs laid out on 250 acres. A full-service resort, it has more than 300 rental chalets and condos at the base of the mountain. Trailside are sundecks and bring-your-own-wine huts with fireplaces, so non-skiers can bronze and burn while watching the action.

The Slopes
The resort's expert run, Vertical Drop, features moguls, chutes and drop-offs and merges with Bullet (skirting the trees) and Thunder (a steep slope) runs. Novice or less extreme skiers will enjoy the gentle slope of Alpen run. Snowboarders are welcome on the mountain and at two terrain parks. Everyone gets a lift to the top by using one of nine chairlifts (all doubles).

Vital Stats
Vertical drop: 600 feet
Lifts: 9
Skiable acres: 252
Beginner terrain: 37 percent
Intermediate terrain: 37 percent
Advanced terrain: 26 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities