Michigan's Resort Near Traverse City With Storybook Winter Vibes Puts Pedestrians First

With brutal winds coming off the Great Lakes and frigid temperatures, it can be hard to make the best of winter in Michigan. Luckily, there are places like Crystal Mountain, a renowned four-season family resort in the village of Thompsonville, less than an hour drive from Traverse City. Named one of the best Midwest ski resorts by Midwest Living, Crystal Mountain boasts more than 100 acres of terrain, where skiers and riders of all levels can fly down their choice of 45 downhill runs. For more thrills, Crystal Mountain has 6 miles of groomed winter bike trails with fat tire bikes available to rent. If you prefer a slower pace in the snow, Crystal Mountain maintains more than 15 miles of trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, including just over a mile of trails that light up for night skiing. 

Anchoring the resort is a walkable village filled with shops, food, and lodging options for every budget. In the winter, centrally located Barr Park features an ice skating rink and evening campfires. Flying into Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport puts you less than an hour north of your next big powder day.

You don't go to a ski mountain expecting an incredible display of regional art, but that's exactly what you'll find at Crystal Mountain. The Michigan Legacy Art Park calls the resort home, a 31-acre art park with more than 50 sculptures offering families a unique way to engage with art in an outdoor setting. You can access the art park year-round and even take a guided tour. In the winter, you can also traverse the 2 miles of trails in snowshoes or cross-country skis. The nonprofit operates separately from the resort, but remains free to resort guests and kids under four. Other winter guest perks include free access to the fitness center, including classes, an indoor pool, and discounts on lessons and lift tickets. 

Thompsonville was not outed on this list of the most affordable ski resort towns across America, maintaining its hidden gem status as a great value for families. The Inn at the Mountain is the resort's most convenient lodging option and is within walking distance of everything the village has to offer. Rooms, suites, and condo options start at $139 per night. Even better, kids under the age of 17 stay for free, while kids under 6 stay, ski, and eat breakfast for free, making it a wonderful deal for families. For more privacy and views, Crystal Mountain also has mountainside homes, townhomes, and wooded cottages that give all the fairytale vibes.

The resort's core area combines lodging, food, and shopping options for guests to rest and restore. The village also houses Crystal Mountain's 18,500-square-foot spa, offering treatments from head to toe, including the Crystal Bliss body treatment, which one Google reviewer described as phenomenal. "From the scalp massage to the body scrub and Vichy shower was amazing. I left the table totally relaxed and refocused." 

In addition to the spa and fitness center, the village's winter offerings include several restaurants, a market, and shops for low-key snacks, gear, and souvenirs. Kids will love Crystal Mountain's seasonal Waffle Cabin, but they are also more than welcome at Thistle, an accessible yet elevated dining option catering to grown-up tastebuds. Reviewers raved about the truffle fries and cozy atmosphere. 

Less than 20 miles north of Crystal Mountain Resort in the pinky tip of the Mitten State, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of Michigan's best national parks. Now's your chance to explore this stunning natural wonder without the summer crowds, blanketed in snow with epic sledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. One of the most famous attractions at Sleeping Bear is the Dune Climb, where you can sled down a 284-foot wall of snow-covered sand.