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
Avoid the winter blues and be a part of an eventful season at Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (January 14, 2022) – If you’re looking to try something new in 2022, all while embracing northern Michigan’s winter wonderland, Crystal mountain has you covered. From beginner lessons to advanced races, the Crystal calendar is full of activities sure to get you through to spring. January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month! Book a family lesson, private lesson or group lesson to match your ability and learn the basics or advance your skills with some of the best professional
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
Holiday Happenings at Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Dec. 15, 2021) – Holiday dinner buffets, skiing Santa and the snowiest snowflake contest – oh what fun! Crystal Mountain has festive activities for the whole family this winter.Holiday Celebrations kick off this Friday through January 2, 2022, with daily events: Pick-a-Tree: Pick out the perfect holiday tree for just $15 at the Park at Water’s Edge.Snowiest Snowflake Contest: Create a unique snowflake and the top three snowiest snowflakes in each age group will receive a
Crystal Mountain opening for the season
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Dec. 8, 2021) – Skiers and riders have been waiting since April to get back on the slopes at Crystal Mountain. Many will have the chance to do just that this weekend! Season passholders, Four Seasons Club Members, Crystal Mountain house guests and guests who already purchased a lift ticket will be the first to ski and ride Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m. The slopes will be open for the season to everyone with a season pass or lift ticket starting Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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
Holiday Concert at Michigan Legacy Art Park: “Winter Sounds” featuring Traverse City West Middle School Madrigal Singers
THOMPSONVILLE, MICH – Michigan Legacy Art Park will present “Winter Sounds,” an outdoor holiday concert featuring Traverse City West Middle School Madrigal Singers. This family-friendly concert and singalong will take place at 5:00 pm on Saturday, December 11th at the Art Park’s beautifully lighted forest amphitheater, a short ¼ mile walk from the Art Park’s trailhead entrance. “Our Winter Sounds is back after a hiatus and we are thrilled to be welcoming residents to join us for an evening of art, music,
Registration now open for the 2021-2022 Crystal Community Ski Club season
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (November 17, 2021) – Registration is open to become part of the 2021-2022 Crystal Community Ski Club. The non-profit snowsports club has a number of affordable programs with certified instructors to help kids ages 7-17 either learn how to ski and snowboard or advance their skills, including Alpine and Nordic racing and freestyle. “CCSC is an absolutely crucial non-profit organization with the potential to transform the lives of youth in Benzie County and the surrounding area,”
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
Bypass shipping delays and low inventory by shopping at Crystal Mountain
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (October 26, 2021) – The holidays are less than two months away and with the serious back-up of cargo ships at U.S. ports, many shoppers could experience shipping delays. However, depending on what you’re looking for, you may be able to avoid the lack of inventory and late deliveries by heading over to Crystal Mountain. “As of right now we aren’t experiencing any lack of inventory of hard goods at Mountain Sports,” Jim Riley, manager of Mountain Sports, said. “We have skis, boots,
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
