Best winter in recent memory deserves A+
Record-Eagle - April 17, 2008
BY MIKE TERRELL
Outdoor columnist
What a difference a year makes.
In the 29 years I've lived in northern Michigan I've seen one of the worst and one of the best winters in the last couple of years. This past winter was without a doubt one of the best, if not the best.
After about a six-week winter the year before, this past winter was a good old-fashioned, four month winter. The snow came early in December and didn't really leave until this past week. We were skiing on the VASA Pathway the first week of December, and I took my last good ski on the pathway last week on Monday, April 7.
The woods on the back part of the trail, out by Big Rock, were still covered with snow. I went back out last Thursday after the soaking rain on Wednesday, and the snow was all gone in the woods and the trail, what was left, was just a ribbon of old snow and ice. I skied on it for a little over a half-mile, ran into a long area of bare ground, and decided that was the end of winter.
But, what a winter it has been. New snow records were set around the state and all over the Heartland. Cross-country trails were covered most of the winter, and snowmobile enthusiasts enjoyed some of the best riding they had seen in a long time, especially in northern Lower Michigan. I actually saw a couple of snowmobiles out on trails between Grayling and Kalkaska as I returned home from my New England trip on Saturday, April 5. I've never seen snowmobiles out in April before.
Although most of the ski resorts haven't yet added up all the figures for the season -- a couple of them are still open -- the majority claim it was one of their best years ever.
"We don't have our final figures yet, but it has to be one of our best seasons ever," said Brian Lawson, Crystal Mountain spokesperson. "It was just very steady all season long. Last year we had some really big days in February and early March, but that was because we had such a lousy start to the season. It was about a six-week winter compared to a four month season this year.
"As I look out at the slopes you could still hike up and ski down," he laughed. "We had an incredible amount of snow this season. It was great."
A couple of Michigan ski resorts are still going. The season isn't over yet at Boyne Mountain and Ski Brule in the U.P. The Mountain will reopen this Friday for full days of skiing and riding through Sunday, according to spokesperson Erin Erndst.
"We will be open from 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. all three days," she said. "The Mountain will be closed mid-week, but may reopen again the following weekend, depending on what the weather does and how the snow holds out. It's still great, and the runs that will be open are well covered."
The Superpipe and halfpipe will be open this coming weekend as well, but due to softening conditions the rails have been removed for the season.
You can stay at Boyne Mountain and receive two free lift tickets per room during April. Room rates start at $93 per night. Two people sharing a room get a lift and lodging speical for about $46 per night each.
Ski Brule is still 100 percent open seven days a week and plans on -- at this point -- daily skiing and riding through April 20. Brule has been known to ski into May in past years. They currently hold the record for a Midwest ski season when they remained open for 182 consecutive days a few years ago.
"It's been a long season, but a great one," said Jessica Polich, co-owner along with her husband Steve. "We opened in early November, and I think we will probably go beyond April 20."
Brule is currently running a great spring season special. You get lodging and a lift ticket for just $35 per day.
I took my mountain bike out on Tuesday and paddled on the Manistee River with friends yesterday, but I may be tempted to get my skis out for a few more runs. This time of year offers lots of outdoor choices, especially when the seasons intermingle. And, it won't be long before we'll be hunting mushrooms.
This winter deserves an A+ in my book. It was certainly one of the best I can remember for snowsports. It was everything you expect of a good old fashioned Michigan winter. Let's hope this is a trend away from the wimpy winters we'd been experiencing over the last decade.
Traverse City Record-Eagle - Sports Section
Published: April 17, 2008