Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek

From family-friendly fun to competitive racing, the Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area offers winter fun for visitors to northern Michigan, east of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay. The full-season resort area provides guests with all the amenities they need, and it hosts events that make it popular with spectators and participants alike.

Interstate travelers will take I-75 before transferring onto State Highways 32 or 72. US Route 131 brings motorists to the venue from these highways. The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is just south of Grand Rapids and is the closest international facility to fly into before transferring to ground transportation.

Snowbelt Without the Dump

Those living in the Great Lakes region are fully aware of lake-effect snow. Snow fueled by the moisture off of Lake Michigan can create heavy snowfall. The Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area receives 160 inches of annual snowfall on average. That average snowfall is not as high as some ski resorts in the Snowbelt, but it is a respectable amount compared to what other venues south of here get. A considerable portion of the groomed terrain is equipped with snowmaking equipment, helping to keep conditions at their best.

The lodging at the Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area is extensive. That includes condos, hotels, and rentals. Drinks and food services include the bar, bistro, restaurants, and even a food truck. Events, including live entertainment, provide guests with apres-ski when the day winds down. A couple of indoor pools and a fitness center complement the other amenities here.

The Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area rents equipment for ski bums traveling light, and the Ski School offers private lessons, programs for children, and learning packages like Super Sunday. There are also plenty of alpine and cross country events to register for also.

A Big To-Do List

The Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area sits on about 80 acres of skiable terrain. That includes the 53 runs on Schuss and Summit mountains. Those trails provide 36-percent green ratings for beginners and 29-percent blue for intermediates. All remaining trails rate as black diamonds for more advanced skiing and riding.

The base of the Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area rests at an elevation of 675 feet, and its peak elevation stands 1,125 feet in height. That gives skiers and riders 450 feet of vertical to play down. Some portions of the venue have lights for activities after dusk, and those keeping score at home will note the longest run here is around a mile in length.

The Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek ski area offers Nordic skiing and snowshoeing for those looking for something outside the alpine experience. More things to do in the snow include tubing, fat tire biking, snowmobiling, and even dogsledding. The Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek venue hosts organized alpine and cross country racing, including NASTAR.

Guests also have access to three progressive terrain parks. More than 10 lifts shuttle skiers and riders around the two peaks, which can become busy around holidays and during hosted alpine events.