Fall fun, foliage and relaxation happening now at Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (September 29, 2022) – The time for a chairlift ride, bike ride or keeping warm by a campfire is now.Fall Fun Saturdayskick off at Crystal Mountain Oct. 1. Immerse yourself in the colorful trees with a bike ride or hike on miles of wooded trails, or gaze on from above via Scenic Chairlift Ride. There is plenty of fall family fun to be had this season. “There are so many unique ways to experience fall in northern Michigan at Crystal Mountain,” Recreation Manager Jen Roberts said.
News Release: 9/27/2022
Love Thy Neighbor Grand Traverse Region is having a For the Love of Jazz and Neighbors fundraiser on Wednesday, October 19 at Faith Reformed Church from 6 - 8:30 pm. We will be having appetizers, music by Jazz North, along with testimonies and information on how our organization helps our neighbors in need.
News Release: 9/23/2022
Traverse City, MI – An annual event geared toward helping business professionals and entrepreneurs move forward and stay motivated makes its debut in Traverse City at Kirkbride Hall for the first time on November 10, 2022. The Mind Capture Bootcamp conference is a full-day interactive event featuring local and national speakers along with an innovation panel and group breakout sessions. “We’re excited to bring this event to Traverse City for the first time and are seeing a positive reaction from people
NMC International Affairs Forum: Immigration Debate Oct 20
Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum continues with an immigration debate featuring David Aguilar, former acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Theresa Cardinal Brown, managing director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. The debate will center on immigration reform with a focus on solutions.David Aguilar had a distinguished 35-year career in federal law enforcement, having previously led U.S. Customs and Border Protection
TBA Credit Union Hosting Free Business Webinar
Traverse City, MI – On Thursday, October 6 at noon, TBA Credit Union will host a free webinar, Starting Your Dream Business. Mark Guimond, TBACU Commercial Relationship Specialist, will provide insight about business plans and the benefits of starting a relationship with a financial institution. Learn the ins and outs of starting a business and leave with free tips and resources from an expert. “This workshop is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs from many different backgrounds,” says Mark Guimond.
Building a Recovery-Friendly Workplace Event October 11 in Traverse City
TRAVERSE CITY, MI—The ongoing opioid epidemic in the U.S. is making it important for businesses to understand how they can attract and retain talent by creating a recovery-friendly workplace. Resources to help businesses do that will be featured at “Building a Recovery-Friendly Workplace” October 11 in Traverse City. The event will run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, in the Conference Center at Northwest Michigan Works!, 1209 S. Garfield Avenue. The event will include information about HR compliance
New Heavy Highway Construction Equipment Training Program at NMC
TRAVERSE CITY, MI—A new program at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) will help people learn the skills they need for a career in the in-demand field of highway construction. The Heavy Highway Construction Training Program is being offered by NMC in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works!, Team Elmer’s, and Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates. The 12-week program starts in January of 2023. An information session on October 6 in Traverse City will give people an opportunity to learn about the program. The
New Chief Executive Officer Approved By Networks Northwest Board
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – The Networks Northwest Board has unanimously approved the hiring of Terry Vandercook as the new Chief Executive Officer at Networks Northwest. The board met September 6 and voted to accept the recommendation of the Networks Northwest Executive Committee that Vandercook be hired for the leadership position at the organization which provides workforce, business, and community development services in the 10 counties of northwest Lower Michigan. Vandercook has accepted the position. “We
News Release: 9/8/2022
SCORE Workshop: Managing Your Time; Managing Your Life TRAVERSE CITY — SCORE Traverse City is pleased to offer a workshop focusing on time management. Happening Thursday, September 15 at 12 p.m., this workshop, Managing Your Time; Managing Your Life, will be presented by local expert, Linda Ketterer, a Dale Carnegie training consultant and instructor with 13 years’ experience in management for the Whirlpool Corporation. Time management is a stumbling block to achieving productivity and satisfaction
News Release: 9/6/2022
SCORE Announces Fall Google Workshop SeriesSCORE Traverse City is pleased to offer a fall Google workshop series in September, October, November, and December in addition to SCORE’s regularly scheduled workshops. The Google series of workshops will present topics on how to use Google tools to grow small businesses. The morning series—with most workshops beginning at 9 a.m.—will be offered virtually in collaboration with Google, featuring a professional trainer as the presenter. The first virtual
News Release: 9/1/2022
Build a Solid Foundation for Your FutureMichigan is at an unprecedented time in its history, needing a workforce to help modernize, upgrade, and build new structures, bridges, and roads. Investments are being made to upgrade the infrastructure and companies are investing in new facilities as well as renovating existing assets.12 Week Program: January – April 2023NCCER Certification Job Readiness training OSHA SafetyEquipment Identification Earthmoving Practices Paving PracticesRigging Practices Crane
Crystal Mountain’s Resort K9 Ambassador continues to make a difference through the Fisher Fund
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Aug. 12, 2022) – They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but Crystal Mountain’s Resort K9 Ambassador was everyone’s best friend. Fisher had the pleasure of being the first to greet guests at check-in, taste test the ice cream at the Beach House, feel out the greens on the golf courses and check the conditions out on the slopes – and it was all caught on camera by his owner Jeff Rabidoux. “Photoshoots were Fisher’s favorite part about being the K9 ambassador,” said Rabidoux, who works
International workers experience the Crystal Difference through cultural exchange program
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Aug. 1, 2022) – More than a dozen international workers at Crystal Mountain are learning what it’s like to not only work, but play, in northern Michigan. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program places students in different industries in the U.S. to earn money while learning new skills. However, one of the most important aspects of the program is cultural exchange. “This program is beneficial for all parties involved, the students and the company hiring the workers,” Jennifer King, vice
DANBROOK ADAMS RAYMOND PLC, CELEBRATES FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
THE BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM KICKS OFF YEAR FIVE WITH A NEW OFFICE LOCATION August 1, 2022 (Traverse City, Mich.;) On August 1, 2022, Danbrook Adams Raymond PLC, DAR Law, celebrates its five-year anniversary of bringing peace of mind to individuals, families, and businesses in Northern Michigan in their practice areas of Employment and Labor Law, Employer Defense and Litigation, Liquor Licensing and Regulation, and Estate Planning and Administration. After practicing for years in larger firms, DAR’s three
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN NAMED TO 2022 BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (June 17, 2022) – Crystal Mountain has been named one of “West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” for the second year in a row, further distinguishing the four-season resort as a phenomenal place for a career. The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) identified best Human Resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards. Crystal Mountain was judged on compensation, benefits, employee
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN HOSTS THE MOST POPULAR 3D ARCHERY EVENT IN THE NATION
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (June 10, 2022) – The largest 3D archery event in the nation is happening this weekend at Crystal Mountain. Thousands of archers from all across the country are gathered in Thompsonville for the Total Archery Challenge. This is the only event of its kind in Michigan this year. “This is the first time Crystal Mountain has held this kind of event, and we are thrilled to welcome such a diverse group of people to Benzie County,” John Melcher, Crystal Mountain CEO, said. “Archery is one of
Redesigned Bike Park opens for 2022 season with new trails, features, race events and bike carriers
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (May 17, 2022) – Let gravity take over on the new downhill mountain bike trails at Crystal Mountain. The new and improved Bike Park has five new trails from the top of the ski slopes to the bottom – 375 feet of vertical. From technical berms and rock gardens to flowy rollers, the Bike Park is built for all skill levels. “The new Bike park is the perfect mix between machine-built and hand-cut trails,” Earl Whitney, Crystal Mountain trail builder, said. “We reached out to some riders who
Good For Michigan recognizes Crystal Mountain with the 2022 Good For Workforce Award
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (May 13, 2022) – Crystal Mountain is one of five Michigan businesses to be recognized by Good For Michigan as a 2022 Good For Michigan Award winner. The statewide nonprofit organization, led by People First Economy, utilizes some of the world’s leading assessments in social and environmental sustainability to help companies measure their sustainability success. This initiative helps companies utilize the B-Impact Assessment, commonly used for B-Corp Certification, as well as the SDG
From the womb to the green. Mother-Daughter golf duo comes full circle at Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (May 5, 2022) – A shared love of golf is a pretty strong bond. But the love shared by a mother and daughter who golf together at Crystal Mountain is magical. Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, head coach of the women’s golf team at Michigan State University, is no stranger to Crystal Mountain. She’s been visiting and playing golf at the resort since the Michigan Women’s Open Pro-Am in 2003. That was a very special year for the then mom-to-be. “I was eight months pregnant in 2003, and the PGA
Two students receive scholarships from the Crystal Scholarship Foundation; Registration now open for the Crystal Mountain Scholarship Invitational
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (April 28, 2022) – The Crystal Scholarship Foundation (CSF) is continuing to help deserving, local students further their education beyond high school. Now in its second year of awarding scholarships, two students have been chosen to receive up to $5,000: Megan Gydesen and Craig Seger. The scholarship is open to Crystal Mountain employees and their dependents. Megan is a senior at Bear Lake High School and the daughter of Kelly Gydesen who works at Crystal Spa. In addition to excelling
Northern Michigan ski coach inducted into the Michigan High School Ski Coaches Association Hall of Fame
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (March 23, 2022) – A northern Michigan ski coach with a well-known family history in area ski racing, has been inducted into the Michigan High School Ski Coaches Association (MHSSCA) Hall of Fame. Shaun Johnson, 67, is the first ski coach from Benzie Central to be in the Hall of Fame. He joins a short list of ski coaches from northern Michigan who have made it on the list since MHSSCA was founded in 1988. “It’s humbling,” said Johnson. “The group of coaches who vote on this are
CRYSTAL NEWS: Breaking down barriers and building up diversity within outdoor recreation
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (March 16, 2022) – From the city to the slopes. SOS Outreach, a national organization focused on mentoring underserved youth, is wrapping up a winter outdoor recreation development program with a weekend trip to Crystal Mountain this weekend. Around two dozen students from Hamtramck High School will board a bus from the metro-Detroit area to Thompsonville, Mich., on Friday to experience skiing, snowboarding and outdoor activities in northern Michigan – most of them for the first
Skier and snowboarder to stop at Crystal Mountain in attempt to break Guinness World Record
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Feb. 25, 2022) – Michigan skier Kyle Kelly and snowboarder friend Brad Dykstra will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most ski areas skied in a 24-hour period when they hit Crystal Mountain Saturday night. Kelly and Dykstra have 22 ski areas on their list. The previous record of 17 was set in Japan in 2017. “We’ve had this goal in mind since 2019,” Kelly, 28, said. “Since then, Brad and I have been figuring out the details of which Michigan resorts fit the
Ski and Ride for a cause and celebrate sun and snow during March at the Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Feb. 14, 2022) – Celebrate the start of spring with fun activities on the mountain every weekend in March. But first, ski and ride for a cause supporting adaptive winter sports for all ages and abilities. Teddy Knape Fest is returning to Crystal Mountain on Feb. 19. The annual event is in honor of Teddy Knape, a passionate skier and cinematographer from Grand Rapids who, at 21, passed away from a heart defect. After his passing, his friends and family gathered at Crystal Mountain,
Spas of America names Crystal Spa #1 spa in Michigan, #10 in North America
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Jan. 24, 2022) – Crystal Spa has once again been named to the Spas of America Top 100 Spas. The spa at Crystal Mountain has made the list every year since 2009. The 2021 list includes 83 spas from the U.S. with Crystal Spa as the top-ranked spa in Michigan and No. 10 in North America. “It’s such an honor to be ranked number one among all of the incredible spas in our state,” Vice President of Retail and Wellness Stephanie Scott said. “Our talented team works so hard, so it’s
All 58 downhill slopes open!
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Jan. 15, 2022) – If opening day is the most exciting day of the season, the second most exciting day of the season is here: All 58 slopes across 103 skiable acres will be 100% open starting today – three weeks earlier than last season. With Mother Nature dumping more than a foot of snow this month and snowmakers running the snow guns for more than 450 hours this season, skiers and riders have a base of up to 54 inches at Crystal Mountain. “Our snowmaking superheroes have been
Crystal Mountain nominated for best snowmaking team in North America
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Jan. 13, 2022) – Crystal Mountain’s snowmaking team has been recognized as one of the best in North America by Ski Area Management magazine. And now it goes to a popular vote for the coveted I AM a Snowmaker contest. Voting is open HERE through Jan. 21 at midnight. Winners are expected to be announced Jan. 24. Fans of snowmaking and Crystal Mountain can vote once every day while voting is open, and share the behind-the-scenes snowmaking video across all social media
Benzie County woman named 2022 ‘Year of Spa’ recipient
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (December 30, 2021) – We all have things we are looking forward to in the New Year; maybe it’s less stress, more relaxation time or just more self-care. Well, one lucky lady in Benzie County will receive all of that and more during her full year of free spa services from Crystal Spa. “I can’t tell you how excited I am about winning the Year of Spa!” Shelly Florian said. “When I got the call, I was shocked – I never seem to win anything, but I am definitely looking forward to using
Crystal Mountain promotes Jason Farah to Director of Golf
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (November 29, 2021) – Jason Farah, former golf course superintendent at Crystal Mountain, has been promoted to director of golf. “I’m excited about this new opportunity to work closer with ownership and learn more about the business at Crystal Mountain,” Farah said. “I’m passionate about taking golf to a higher standard at this resort, which is already home to two championship golf courses and a beautiful 10-acre practice facility. I look forward to leading future projects to enhance
Crystal Mountain names John Melcher CEO
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (November 1, 2021) – Crystal Mountain has named John Melcher chief executive officer effective Dec. 1. “It is an honor to lead Crystal Mountain and continue building upon our legacy of reimagining the mountain and resort experience for our team, our guests and our property owners,” Melcher said. “I’m excited about the incredible growth opportunities ahead for Crystal Mountain because we are all committed to making this family-owned, family-centric resort the best in the
Crystal Mountain property owner, Charles Kraus, releases his first book, Thompsonville in Time: A Northwest Michigan Story 1890-2021
“There would be no book if we didn’t live at Crystal Mountain.” THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (September 23, 2021) — It all started with an annual trip up north. Charles Kraus said his parents took him and his siblings from Akron, Ohio, to Glen Lake, Mich., every year during his childhood, a tradition Kraus continued in his adulthood with his wife Judy and their kids every summer for about 25 years. “At the time, the only thing I knew about Thompsonville was the four-way stop at Lincoln Avenue and Thompsonville
