What’s New at Crystal Mountain for Winter 2025–26 + Plus a Winter Giveaway!
If you’ve followed along for a while, you already know this: Crystal Mountain is a big part of our family’s winter tradition.
We’ve spent countless weekends here over the years — early-morning drives north, ski weekends with friends, and watching our kids grow more confident and independent on the slopes. Crystal has always felt like a place that understands Midwest winters and what families actually want out of them.
At its core, Crystal consistently delivers:
Excellent skiing for all ability levels, with well-groomed runs and varied terrain
Excellent lodging options
Reliable snowmaking (178 machines strong) that extends the season
A wide mix of winter activities beyond just skiing
An atmosphere that works well for families and groups of all sizes
That foundation is what keeps us coming back.
Our Visit This Winter
We visited just before winter break, shortly after Crystal opened, and conditions were fantastic. Snow coverage was strong for early winter, the hills skied great, and everything felt ready from day one — a reminder that Crystal plans for winter, not reacts to it.
We enrolled our middle-school-aged boys in snowboard lessons. They’d skied for years but wanted to try something new, and Crystal’s instruction delivered. In a single three-hour lesson, they went from learning fundamentals to confidently riding chairlifts, linking turns on green runs, and beginning to explore blue terrain.
One of the things that makes Crystal such an easy family destination is the range of activities available beyond skiing and snowboarding — including cross-country skiing, full spa services, snowshoeing, horse-drawn surrey rides, fat-tire biking, ice skating, pools and hot tubs, laser tag, and evening campfires. It’s the kind of variety that ensures everyone in the family has a few activities to look forward to — on and off the slopes.
What’s New at Crystal This Season
Crystal didn’t overhaul what already works — instead, they focused on practical upgrades that add real value:
Indoor golf with two TrackMan simulators, perfect for mixed-interest trips or après-ski downtime
New Flex Pass options (2–5 days), an affordable choice for individuals and families who don’t want a full season pass (link here)
Refreshed rental equipment, especially helpful for growing kids or first-timers
Early work on the North Village Project, setting the stage for future slopeside lodging and improved access
Buck the deer mascot — a small touch that kids absolutely love
Cozy après additions, including new firepits, igloos, and comfort-food upgrades
A Michigan Landmark for Family Winter Fun
Family-owned since 1956, Crystal Mountain has grown into one of the Midwest’s premier four-season resorts while keeping the family-first feel that made it special in the first place.
Recent recognitions include:
Top 25 Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in North America – Travel + Leisure
Top 10 Best Family Ski Resorts in the U.S. & Canada – Condé Nast Traveler
From beginner terrain and trusted instruction to lodging, dining, spa experiences, and year-round activities, Crystal offers something for every age and ability level.
Come for the Day or Stay the Night
Crystal Mountain lodging guests receive awesome Houseguest Perks
Crystal also continues to offer some of the best value for families in Michigan:
Kids 17 and under Stay FREE ANYTIME.
Kids 6 and under Stay, Ski and Eat Breakfast FREE ANYTIME (Up to two kids eat free, per paying adult).
Winter lodging guests receive discounts on lift tickets, snow sports lessons, and indoor golf. Plus, complimentary access to a variety of other winter activities.
Kick Off Winter with a Crystal Mountain Giveaway 🎿
Great Lakes Travel Deals and Crystal Mountain are teaming up for a 2026 winter giveaway, including:
Four single-day lift tickets
***Not valid February 14–15, 2026***
$500 Crystal Mountain resort credit
How to enter:
Like this post
Email support@greatlakestraveldeals.com with “Crystal Mountain” in the subject line
Follow Great Lakes Travel Deals on Facebook
The winner will be selected and notified via email on Monday, January 26
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By entering, you agree to receive email updates from both Crystal Mountain and Great Lakes Travel Deals.
Really apreciate how Crystal's upgrades feel intentional rather than flashy - the indoor golf simulators and flexible passes address actual family pain points. That Buck mascot addition is clever becuase it gives kids something tangible to connect with beyond just activities. I've seen resorts over-invest in amenitites that families barely use while missing the small touches that actually matter.