The 2024 winter season in the midwest has been weird. To say the least. With record-low snowfalls, even my hometown of Duluth, Minnesota -which is 2ish hours from Canada- had a brown Christmas, brown January, and fairly brown February. When I booked a flight home to visit my parents, visions of snow-covered peaks replaced my reality of grass and rain often found in South Carolina winters. Yet all we saw was…brown. 

Determined to find snow, we made the short 2ish hour drive to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They average 200-400 inches of snow every year, which is more -on a regular basis- than most places in the country, including Colorado.

We were not disappointed. Not only did it snow a good 6 inches just while we were there, but the snow machines on the ski resort mountains had created a beautiful winter wonderland. And we chose our Ski Resort wisely. Finding The Lodge at Jackson Creek Snowriver Mountain was like finding a hidden gem at the perfect time. With $15M in renovations over the last two years, a brand-new, high-speed, 6-person chair lift, new lodge windows, new mattresses, new flooring, new, new, new, the place was comfortable and well maintained. 

It reminded me of a Hallmark movie ski lodge. You know, the historic landmark that is falling apart until the successful female lawyer falls in love with the backcountry lumberjack and they set out to create something beautiful. This is the result of what that love would produce. Love included. Everyone was incredibly nice.  

Plus, you don’t have to enjoy downhill sports to stay here. With a huge indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, 4 newly renovated restaurants, nearby snowshoeing, hiking, and activities, it really is perfect for everyone. The skiers, snowboarders, and chalet sitters. 

I digress, back to the skiing. Snowriver mountain has 400 skiable acres, 56 trails, and three terrain parks. It is the largest ski area in the U.P. and their new snow-machine guns are powerful and strong! Even before the snow started to fall overnight, with a ski race the day before, the skiing was still pretty good! Couple icy patches, but nothing to write-home about. Definitely better than some mountains I have visited at their best times. 

However, there is information you should “know before you go.” With all resorts, there are things no one really talks about but are good facts to keep in mind.

1. 16% gratuity is applied to all food purchases and split between most of the staff. If you’d like to give additional tips, cash works. There is an ATM in their front entry (for now.)

2. The gondolas pictured in the Jackson Suite ceiling murals are not from on-site, but there are rumors that one may show up in the future. Stay tuned! 

3. The $15M in renovations went to a LOT of places. Beginning with the things that make your stay more comfortable: insulated windows, new mattresses, new flooring (it use to be carpet, and it was bad.) More renovations are to come soon, like additional design. 

4. The 2024 season has 12 open runs available and snow machines that keep them well dusted with the lack of snow seen everywhere in the Midwest. I was skeptical, but it’s good skiing.

5. The 6-person chair lift is the only one in the region, which (IMO) means more people up, more people down. AKA less time waiting for a seat and more runs for the day. Or (IMO) more physical ski-time than any other resort in the area. Just sayin. 

6. Smore’s are served on-site both Fridays and Saturdays. At Jackson Creek Lodge. That’s important. 

7. Sister mountain -Black River Basin- is only available on Thursday-Sunday (for now. Rumors of more days being added soon)

8. If you have a 4th or 5th grader in your household, they can ski for free! Check out details here. 

It was honestly an incredible escape from brown, from warmth, from the rains of South Carolina. We will absolutely be back. Especially since it was an easy drive from Duluth, and only 4ish hour drive from Minneapolis. 

I’m curious how many skiers and snowboarders I have reading this post! If you are one of them, let me know on Instagram and let’s keep in touch!