Skiing at Mt. Brighton Ski Resort in Southern Michigan

While southern Michigan does not have massive mountains like Colorado's ski resorts, it does have a ski resort in Brighton, Michigan, that many local residents love. The large bunny hill, as some seasoned skiers call the resort's highest peak, rises to 250 vertical feet. Mt. Brighton is man made, filled with excess road debris from the construction of I-96 and US-23. It is not built on a garbage land fill. This article will discuss features of the Mt. Brighton Ski Resort.

First of all, Mt. Brighton Ski Resort has many ways to get to the top. This includes six chair lifts, one handle-lift and ten tow-rope surface lifts. Due to this variety, the lines for gaining access to chair lifts are typically short. The tow ropes pull fairly quickly, especially as light weight children tend to use them.

In fact, many training courses use the tow ropes to help kids up the slopes without worrying about correctly using a chair lift. The training courses are extensive and very popular at Mt. Brighton. Currently, one hour group lessons start at $10.00 per hour per person. There are five group lessons on weekdays and seven group lessons on Saturday or Sunday. The Mt. Brighton Ski School also offers individualized lessons at higher rates for adults and children. Watching the classes is fun, too, as some kids as young as three don a pair of tiny skis and follow a painted line down a hill. Many teachers are on hand to keep them safe and give guidance as the miniature skiers learn.

For snow enthusiasts who prefer snowboarding or who like doing tricks, Mt. Brighton also has a terrain park area. It includes various rails, boxes, and jumps for those skiers or snowboarders who like to freestyle.

Mt. Brighton's website allows visitors to read the current snow conditions to determine if they want to ski that day. In fact, as no lift tickets are refundable, it is important to research conditions prior to buying your tickets or rentals. The resort does make a lot of its snow, however, it does snow in southern Michigan. This mix often creates an enjoyable skiing experience for the resort's guests.

For family members who either do not like to ski or who wish to remain indoors, Mt. Brighton has two large indoor rooms in its lodge. Wear layers, however, as the doors to the outdoors open frequently, cooling the areas considerably. The lodge's rooms are equipped with picnic tables, long tables, and round tables so groups can sit together. The rooms also contain a wall made entirely of windows. It is therefore possible to look out over the resort and watch family and friends on the slopes. The resort sells pizza and other snack foods in addition to various non-alcoholic drinks. A restaurant called The Bauery is also available on site.

Overall, Mt. Brighton Ski Resort offers many amenities of the larger resorts. It is a convenient drive from southern Michigan and a family friendly resort. It is in a safe area and has reasonable prices - perfect for beginner skiers as well as teen ski clubs or a family outing.

Are you a skier? If so, what features do you look for in a ski resort? Please comment below.