Big Powderhorn Ski Resort - Hurley, Michigan

Address:Hurley, Michigan
Tel: (906) 932-4838

Billing themselves as being "like nowhere else in the Midwest", Big Powderhorn in Bessemer, Michigan is on the southern shore of Lake Superior, located just 195 miles from Green Bay. Taking advantage of the "lake effect snow," there is no shortage on the white stuff, which comes in here at around 200 plus inches annually! The 1800 foot summit is no small molehill either, and offers 600 feet of vertical drop on the 33 trails spread out over Powderhorn's 250 acres.

Mainly beginner and intermediate slopes can be found here. While the chutes may sometimes get icy, you can also find powder stashes almost up to the kneecaps! Big Powderhorn has priority grooming, which is a huge plus to their customers. This means that the beginner trails are groomed nightly, making for smooth sailing and few surprises, while the intermediate trails are half groomed and half not. The advanced slopes are mostly left alone, except for some places where they're groomed just enough to allow the natural moguls and small rollers to form and give the advanced slopes that extra edge. Nine chairlifts are available to service all parts of the trail system. As the lake is constantly blowing very cold air during the winter, you're best advised to dress warmly and in layers!

There are two terrain parks with rails, jibs, and spines to keep the snowboarding crowd busy throughout Big Powderhorn's 9am to 4pm opening hours.

"Caribou Cruisers" and 'Powder Cubs" can start crawling all over the mountain from age 4 to 12 with their professional and friendly ski instructors. There is also a "Learn it & Love it" beginners package for adults, as well as the KinderCare babysitting center with its time slots for full or half day hours. Peak season, from December to March, can be quite busy, so reservations are recommended and lift lines are to be be expected. However, if you plan ahead, you can save the wait on the equipment rental lines by coming right at 830am opening time or waiting until after 1030am, as these are the busiest times for rental time periods as well as for lift ticket sales.

Child through senior age lift passes are available for purchase in full, half, or multi-day packages. Children 6 and under ski or ride free with a paying adult, and college students who present proper identification receive a discount on their ticket. Identification is required for all rental equipment, which comes in shaped or straight skis, Burton, Rossignol, and Killer Loop snowboards. You can also try out the high performance equipment available. There is a full service repair and tune up shop on site for any problems that may arise.

A shuttle bus runs inside the Bavarian style village which houses 3 pubs and 2 different lodges. The Caribou Lodge is a ski in and out facility with great views. Wednesday through Monday they serve dinner in their dining room, as well as serving lunch on the weekends. Snowflake Lounge offers lunch and drink specials daily, while the Black River Lodge, which is actually located a couple miles North of the village, offers a full supper menu on Friday and Saturday nights that is not to be missed.

Also within the village, over 3000 plus rooms from single to suite style offer a warm, safe place to rest your weary body after the hours on the slopes. There are, in addition, over 15 options for lodging in local Bessemer, which also plays a second home base for guests not staying on site. Some of these even have lift and lodge specials. Horse drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, as well as some nice nightclubs, are located within a 20 minute drive from the base lodge of Big Powderhorn.

"Like nowhere else in the Midwest" – yeah, I'd say so. Big Powderhorn has it all – come see for yourself this season.

Combine 17 feet of average natural snowfall with incredible views of Upper Peninsula forests. Add a dash of renowned grooming, family friendly specials, and a down-home staff who treats you like family. Throw in a charming Bavarian style village with a complementary shuttle and you have the makings for an unforgettable winter getaway!