Love Thy Neighbor Open House
Love Thy Neighbor Grand Traverse Region is having an Open House on Tuesday, May 24, from 3 - 7pm. We have recently renovated our office and would like to show off our new look! Join us for light refreshments to see the changes we have made and meet our staff, board members, and volunteers. We will have information on all the programs and services we offer to help our neighbors in need in our community.
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
Sonny’s Body Shop Adds Greg Eyer to Their Team
Traverse City, MI, May 13, 2022 – Sonny’s Body Shop has hired a new team member, Greg Eyer. Eyer has joined Sonny’s Body Shop in the position of Auto Body Technician. He has many years of experience as a technician in the automotive industry, is I-car certified and is the 4th generation in his family to pursue this career. “We are excited to have Greg as part of our auto body technician team. His attention to detail and industry knowledge make him a great asset to his fellow associates. His
CRYSTAL NEWS: Michigan Beer and Brat Festival by the numbers, buy your ticket now for a chance to win a $500 gift card
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (May 10, 2022) – Kick off summer with a taste of Michigan-made food and drink this Memorial Day weekend at Crystal Mountain. The family-friendlyMichigan Beer and Brat Festivalis returning for its 15th year Saturday, May 28.VIP Admission and General Admission tickets are available online and the day of the event. Those who buy their ticket before May 21 will be entered to win a $500 Crystal Mountain gift card, plus two general admission tickets to next year’s Michigan Beer and Brat
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
PACE North releases Report to the Community
PACE North releases Report to the Community PACE North welcomed their first Participant in October 2019. Today, May 2022, they are serving 127 adults 55+ living in seven counties of northern Michigan. The PACE model of care is a home and community based long term care option for those eligible wanting to age in place, at home or in their community. This report demonstrates the innovative health care model that PACE North offers this region. Take a look at this new option for long term care for adults
Copper Ridge Surgery Center Nurses Attend National ASPAN Conference
Traverse City, MI, May 3, 2022 – A team of nurses from Copper Ridge Surgery Center (CRSC) recently returned from the national American Society of PeriAnesthia Nurses (ASPAN) conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jean Bankey, Gayle Bultsma, and Paige Schrotenboer, all PeriAnesthia nurses, recently participated in this national meeting. This nursing team from Copper Ridge Surgery Center was charged with presenting and showcasing their best practices and patient safety protocols to their colleagues at
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
Crystal Mountain hosting multiple job fairs to fill more than 50 open positions
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (April 11, 2022) – After a successful winter sliding on snow, Crystal Mountain is getting ready for another busy season – summer! And the resort wants you to be a part of its award-winning team. Typically, there are around 500 employees on the payroll during the summer months. As of right now, around 50 of those positions need to be filled. Several departments including Golf, Outdoor Recreation, Food and Beverage and the Crystal Spa are looking to hire full-time, part-time, on-call,
Save on spa services with Crystal Spa Days and meet new Spa Manager, Laurie Peet
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (April 7, 2022) – Melt the stress away this spring with Crystal Spa Days at Crystal Mountain. The popular event begins Friday and ends May 15, leaving plenty of time for guests to enjoy special savings on select spa services: $40 off Monday-Thursday and $20 off Friday-Sunday. TheCrystal Spa Days services menufeatures a variety of 50- and 80-minute body massages, 50- and 80-minute facials, two rejuvenating body treatments, plus complimentary enhancements. Spa guests receive
Michigan Beer and Brat Festival returns to Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (March 24, 2022) – The Michigan Beer and Brat Festival is returning to Crystal Mountain after a two-year hiatus – cheers to that! The popular Memorial Day weekend event features Michigan-made craft brews, meads, hard ciders, wines, liquors and, of course, locally sourced brats. “Postponing the event the past two years wasn’t something we wanted to do, but needed to do in order to do our part in keeping the community healthy,” Crystal Mountain CEO John Melcher said. “The anticipation
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,
Crystal Community Ski Club Nordic Team competing in High School State Championship
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Feb 9, 2022) – What started as a club to introduce kids to skiing for the first time, now has a competitive racing program with multiple students competing at the state level. Crystal Community Ski Club has six athletes from its Crystal Nordic team headed to the Michigan High School Nordic State Championship in Ishpeming this weekend. Benzie Central sophomore Mylie Kelly, Benzie Central junior Ella Gaylord, Benzie Central senior exchange student Matilde Torgersen, Frankfort
The Pumping Service Pump Track
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Feb. 4, 2022) – After its debut last year as the first ski and snowboard pump track in Michigan, The Pumping Service Pump Track has returned to Crystal Mountain. The partnership between the ski resort and The Pumping Service LLC might seem like a unique duo, but the two local, family-owned businesses have been working together for more than 20 years. “Any time we can support another northern Michigan business, we’re on board,” John Melcher, CEO of Crystal Mountain, said. “The
Crystal Mountain hosting community blood drive on Feb. 2
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Jan. 26, 2022) – There is an urgent need for blood donations in Michigan. Versiti Blood Center reports it’s the lowest supply in decades, and numbers aren’t rebounding like they have in the past. Crystal Mountain is partnering with Versiti to host a Community Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2 inside the Crystal Center. Anyone who attempts to donate will receive a free pair of socks from Versiti, while supplies last, and will be entered into a drawing to win a
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 partners with Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital for lift ops training
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (December 25, 2021) – Imagine using your body to slow down a 300-pound piece of equipment every seven seconds for hours at a time – that’s exactly what chairlift operators do while working certain lifts at Crystal Mountain. It’s an important job that requires a lot of safety training, not only to keep those riding the chairlifts safe but also those operating them. “Lift operators have a very physical job,” Lift Operations Manager Dana Carnevale said. “On Buck chairlift, they’re
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 hires former Grand Hotel executive as VP of Human Resources
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (September 28, 2021) – Crystal Mountain has named long-time human resources professional Jennifer King as its Vice President of Human Resources. She officially joined the team full time on Monday. “We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer to our Crystal Mountain family,” John Melcher, COO of Crystal Mountain, said. “Her extensive experience in human resources, hospitality and business makes her a great addition to our executive team. We’ve known Jennifer for many years and have always been
Crystal Mountain to host MHSAA Division I Girls Golf Regionals on Betsie Valley
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (September 27, 2021) — There are more than 650 golf courses in Michigan. Crystal Mountain is home to two of them: Betsie Valley and Mountain Ridge. The championship golf courses each host thousands of golfers every year. This year, dozens of those golfers will be young, talented women competing in the MHSAA Division I Girls Golf Regionals. “Traverse City West was chosen as the Region One host this year and they chose Crystal Mountain,” Geoff Kimmerly, MHSAA communications director,
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
Crystal Mountain remembers longtime friend and award-winning golf broadcaster, Ben Wright.
It is with heavy hearts to share our longtime friend Ben Wright has passed away at age 88. Ben had a special place within our Crystal Mountain family and he will truly be missed. Wright was the namesake of the former Ben Wright Crystal Mountain Invitational, played at Crystal from 2005 to 2019. For 14 of 15 years, Wright participated in the Invitational and keynoted an evening of story-telling, while building friendships and memories along the way. “I first met Ben in 2005 here at Crystal during what
Former USA Olympian puts down roots at Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (August 23, 2021) – Born and raised in Ludington, Mich., Matthew Hughes has fond childhood memories of traveling to Crystal Mountain every weekend growing up. It all started when his family was introduced to the resort by a family friend. “From 1985-1990 we would drive up Saturday morning, ski all day, drive back, and drive up again Sunday morning to ski all day,” Hughes said. “Eventually, my parents learned to ski and decided we liked it enough they would build a house here.” “The
Crystal Mountain promotes longtime employee to Director of Mountain Operations
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (August 11, 2021) – Mike Cutler has spent his entire 33-year career at Crystal Mountain. He was a 17-year-old Onekama High School student when he was hired as a ticket checker by Michael Call. And now he’s Director of Mountain Operations for the resort. “I started here to get a free ski pass,” said Mike Cutler. “The only other job I had was working summers at the old High Point golf course on M-72, but I would still love to work the winters at Crystal.” In 1996, Cutler took over as
Michigan PGA names Brandon Dean Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (July 26, 2021) — Third time’s a charm. In the last two years, the assistant golf professional at Crystal Mountain has been nominated for the Michigan PGA Special Awards. This year, Brandon Dean wasn’t just nominated, he won. “I was pleased to be nominated again, after being the runner-up the last two years,” said Brandon Dean, assistant golf professional at Crystal Mountain. “It’s very flattering to win this award; to show I am improving my knowledge of the game of golf and the
