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Chasing Snow: Northern Michigan ski resorts adapt to a warmer world

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It’s been a soggy couple of years for skiers and snowboarders. So, what keeps us coming back? From crockpot warming stations to cutting-edge snow-making technology, Northern Michigan ski resorts pull out all the stops to keep winter lovers happy—and stay one step ahead of Mother Nature. Resorts need about 72 hours of temperatures that stay below 28 degrees to lay a base and open terrain for skiing. “The ski industry in Michigan happens because of snowmaking. There’s no other way to say it,” said Ben Doornbos, general manager at Nub’s Nob near Harbor Springs. “Our product is the snow.”

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Friends of Sleeping Bear report skate skiing on Heritage Trail, classic at Palmer Woods, sledding at Dune Climb

This weekend, the Friends of Sleeping Bear reported on ski and sledding conditions throughout the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The groomers have been out on both trails. Unfortunately, the lack of snow on the Heritage Trail meant that the south trail does not have classic tracks, but it has been rolled to form a really nice flat corduroy. Skate skiers will love this! Heritage trail north of Glen Arbor had a little more snow, and we did get a set of classic tracks down. Palmer Woods has the best snow conditions in the area. 6-8″ of fresh powder. Nice groom and classic tracks in most places.

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Katofsky discusses Sugar Loaf wine, Brownfield plan, green energy with Leelanau officials

Skiing option “still on table” but with fewer than five lifts. Katofsky also postponed a public open house in Leelanau until “sometime in late spring or early summer,” once he has resolved key questions such as whether Sugar Loaf will ever host downhill skiing again.

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Leelanau School continues ski tradition of Hans “Peppi” Teichner

From staff reports The long connection with skiing at The Leelanau School continues on, as the small boarding school in Glen Arbor has added to its curriculum an opportunity for students to become certified ski instructors. Spending daily class-time skiing during the five-week winter term is part of the experiential learning philosophy of the 90-year-old […]

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For better view, proceed to Sugar Loaf summit

After leaving the decrepit lodge and climbing up the mountain, Jeff Katofsky felt better about his prospects to revive Sugar Loaf—once the economic lifeblood and biggest employer in the county but which has been vacant since 2000.

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Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail ski conditions

Trail conditions courtesy of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, who maintain the trail during all seasons.

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Sugar Loaf control still clouded in mystery?

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The identity of who controls the mortgage to Sugar Loaf resort has remained a mystery. Until now. The new owner is Jeff Katofsky. But the mortgage is held by an associate of previous owner Remo Polselli.

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Sugar Loaf’s characters: where are they now?

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This is Sugar Loaf, once the region’s premier ski resort and Leelanau County’s largest employer. Three hundred once worked here. Located off M-22, the artery of the peninsula, Sugar Loaf pulsed with traffic and commerce during these cold, quiet winter months until it closed in 2000. This isn’t the story of those who ran Sugar Loaf into the ground. This is the story of her characters and personalities, how they reflect on the resort, and what they’re up to now.

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“No hammer will swing at Sugar Loaf for two years”

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Jeff Katofsky, the new owner of Sugar Loaf, visited the dilapidated onetime ski resort for the first time on Wednesday, Dec. 14 — a biting cold and snowy day in Leelanau County. Katofsky acquired Sugar Loaf from Remo Polselli this fall.

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New owner, new dawn for Sugar Loaf?

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Jeff Katofsky — a Southern California attorney, property developer, and minor league baseball team owner — is on the verge of taking over Sugar Loaf from the ski resort’s longtime owner Remo Polselli. Katofsky told the Glen Arbor Sun he will close escrow before the end of October. According to Leelanau County code inspector Steve Haugen, the transaction could be official by the end of this week.

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