HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS
Midwesterners Go Downhill Closer to Home

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Many Midwest ski areas offer Western resort-like amenities, but without the high cost of airfare. "We're hearing from our customers that they're going to take several regional ski vacations instead of one big trip out West," says Erin Ernst of the Boyne Highlands ski resort in Michigan. "They don't want the cost and hassle of higher airline prices, fewer flight options, baggage fees and rental cars. They know they can stay closer to home and still have a full vacation experience."

Other Midwest destination resorts are also seeing an increase in advance reservations. At Indianhead Mountain Resort on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where the plentiful, light and dry snow is called "gourmet" snow, there is also a veritable buffet of lodging, dining and after-ski options. "Even in this down economy, our advance bookings have been very strong," says Indianhead's Dave Nyquist. "I think it's a direct result of people choosing to take regional vacations instead of going out West. People still want to ski and snowboard, and get away and connect with their families."

Boyne Highlands and its sister resort, Boyne Mountain, draw 75 percent of their skiers and snowboarders from the Detroit metro area, which is less than a four-hour drive. With nearly 120 trails, thousands of beds and plenty of apres-ski activities for singles and families between the two resorts, a growing number of guests spend long weekends. The Boynes have also become true year-round destinations, with six world-class golf courses between the two areas. "We promote a lifestyle," says Ard. "We want people to stay here and have fun."

Boyne Mountain made a literal splash a few seasons ago with the opening of a huge indoor water park at its base, which made it the first ski resort in America with such an amenity. The new 88,000-square-foot Avalanche Bay water park is slopeside--"you could just about ski in the front door," says Boyne's Julie Ard--and it's connected to the new Mountain Grand Lodge & Solace Spa. The European-inspired lodge features 220 luxury condominium units and the Spa has 19 treatment rooms and a variety of services. Stephen Kircher, whose late father, Everett, founded Boyne more than 50 years ago, has described the new facilities as the "centerpiece of our renaissance," which will "attract an entirely new generation of families."

Activities at Boyne Highlands include snow tubing, dog sled rides, snowshoe-only trails and a special mountaintop dining experience. On Friday and Saturday nights, as part of the "Aonach Mor (Gaelic for 'Big Hill') Moonlight Dinner," a snowcat pulls a sled with about 30 people to the North Peak restaurant for dinner on white tablecloths, set to the music of a live guitar player. "It's very popular and you have to reserve early," says Erin Ernst. "It's an awesome experience for people. It really feels like a getaway and they meet other people who are up here vacationing."

On Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Indianhead Mountain is a regional destination resort with more than 80 percent of its customers coming from several Wisconsin markets, including Green Bay, Milwaukee and Madison, which are three to five hours away. Along with its average annual snowfall of 200 inches of lake-effect snow, 28 wide-open trails and nine lifts, Indianhead also has 600 beds, four restaurants, three bars, a health club, indoor pool, children's video game area, guided snowshoe tours, snowmobile tours and other activities.

"People are comfortable here," says Indianhead Guest Services Manager Debra Carey. "It's small enough so that you know where everything is, but big enough so that you don't get bored. It's more affordable and more contained than going out West."

Lutsen, which is located on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, is almost exclusively a regional destination resort and the average length of stay for visitors is three days and three nights. As the resort has added additional terrain, lodging options and other recreational activities, it has also seen a significant growth in five-day vacations. In its e-mails to skiers and snowboarders who might be considering a trip to a Western resort, Lutsen includes a chart that details how much they can save by vacationing closer to home. "With a mountain vacation at Lutsen," reads the e-mail, "there is NO airport nickel and diming and you're an easy drive away from an action-packed vacation."

At Lutsen, there are 90 runs spread over 1,000 acres and four mountains, which means skiers and snowboarders don't get bored with the terrain during an extended vacation. Off the mountain, there are 1,400 beds with ski-in/ski-out access, ranging from hotel rooms to four-bedroom townhomes, indoor pools, a variety of nightclubs and restaurants, horsedrawn sleigh rides and other recreational activities. "The atmosphere up here is so different from a metro area," says longtime marketing director Jim Vick. "Our visitors are really viewing their time up here as a true vacation."

At another northern Minnesota ski area, Giant's Ridge Golf and Ski Resort, the building of the Villas condominiums and the 92-room, all-suite Lodge at Giant's Ridge during the last decade have helped transform the area into a destination resort. The Lodge, with its warm, rustic decor, features the Timbers restaurant, an indoor pool and fitness area. Snowmobile rentals are also available nearby and the town of Biwabik, with numerous restaurants and bars, is just three miles away. "We're really a family destination with lots of activities for the entire family," says marketing coordinator Danae Beaudette. " There's no substitute for being in the great north woods and having so much fun with the whole family."

Michigan's Crystal Mountain Resort has also seen its destination business grow, with many skiers and snowboarders spending long weekends at the resort. "We are very heavily family-oriented, with lots of activities for the entire family," says Crystal's Chris MacInnis. A variety of lodges, some with ski-in/ski-out access, restaurants, fitness club with indoor pool and 40 kilometers of nordic skiing trails help keep visitors active when they're not on the mountain. Crystal also hosts special events for teenagers, including DJ dance parties, and there is a wide selection of movie and video games for rent.

Other ski areas across the Midwest continue to add the destination amenities that make them a true alternative to going out West, including slope-side lodging, swimming pools and nightclubs.

Midwest regional destination resorts with on-site lodging include: Big Powderhorn Mountain, Michigan; Boyne Highlands, Michigan; Boyne Mountain, Michigan; Caberfae Peaks, Michigan; Crystal Mountain Resort, Michigan; Pine Mountain Resort, Michigan; Shanty Creek Resort, Michigan; Ski Brule, Michigan; The Homestead Resort, Michigan; The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva, Wisconsin; Treetops Resort, Michigan; Indianhead, Michigan; Giant's Ridge Golf and Ski Resort, Minnesota; Lutsen, Minnesota; Chestnut Mountain Resort, Illinois; Christmas Mountain Village, Wisconsin; Devil's Head Resort, Wisconsin; Telemark Resort, Wisconsin; Whitecap Mountain, Wisconsin.

Midwest regional destination resorts with off-site lodging include: Buena Vista Ski Area, Minnesota; Marquette Mountain, Michigan; Mt. Bohemia, Michigan; Norway Mountain, Michigan; Nub's Nob, Michigan; Sundown, Iowa; Granite Peak, Wisconsin; Mount La Crosse, Wisconsin; Cascade Mountain, Wisconsin; Spirit Mountain, Minnesota; Welch Village, Minnesota; Afton Alps, Minnesota; Powder Ridge, Minnesota.

For more information on Midwest ski areas and to find a ski area near you, visit snowplaces.com.