Early Snow Brings Ski Hills Online, Resorts Open Across Region

Winter showed up early, and local ski hills responded by opening for the season in the first half of December. Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain and Treetops Resort opened on Dec. 5, 2025. Caberfae Peaks, Nubs Nob and Schuss Mountain opened on Dec. 6, 2025. Caberfae planned a temporary closure from Dec. 8 through Dec. 11 for snowmaking with a planned reopening on Dec. 12, 2025. Schuss’s early opening was limited to season pass holders only. The Highlands Harbor Springs opened on Dec. 12, 2025, with its lodging closed through Dec. 9. City of Traverse City operated Hickory Hills is targeting Dec. 19, 2025, for opening and Mt Holiday is targeting Dec. 20, 2025.

The early openings followed the substantial snowfall over Thanksgiving, but resort access remained conditional on ongoing snowmaking and weather. That meant some runs lifts and services might be limited even after opening dates. Visitors were advised to confirm current conditions and available amenities on each resort website before traveling.

For Grand Traverse County the early start to ski season carries several local implications. Short term, weekend traffic and early season bookings can lift occupancy at hotels and short term rentals, and boost business for restaurants retailers and equipment rental shops. Early operations also increase demand for seasonal hires in snow grooming lift operations and guest services. At the same time snowmaking and accelerated opening schedules raise operational costs for resorts, particularly energy and water use, and can prompt brief closures like the Caberfae snowmaking pause.

Municipal operations matter for residents as well. Hickory Hills is a city run facility and its targeted opening later this month will provide local families with closer to home options for lessons and practices. Meanwhile the season pass only access at Schuss highlights how resorts manage demand during constrained early season conditions.

With holiday travel underway and variable conditions across hills, residents and visitors should plan ahead, expect partial terrain on some properties, and check resort pages for the latest on which lifts runs lessons and lodging are available.