Traverse City Plans December 19 Opening For Hickory Hills

The City of Traverse City announced plans to open Hickory Hills Ski Area on December 19, contingent on weather and snowmaking conditions, signaling the start of the municipal winter recreation season. City crews have begun site preparation, including removal of disc golf baskets from the slopes to ready terrain for alpine operations. Season passes are now on sale, and the Hickory lodge will open on December 8 to allow season pass pickup, in person sales, and merchandise purchases.

City managers have scheduled a public open house for December 10 to introduce staff, outline concession and programming plans, and display equipment that will be used during the season. Among the machinery to be presented will be a PistenBully groomer, a visible investment in snow management and slope maintenance. Once skiing begins, day passes will be available at the ticket window and alpine season pass holders will receive Nordic access at no additional charge.

These operational details matter to residents across the county. For regular users and families, clear dates for lodge access and pass pickup reduce uncertainty and help with trip planning. For local businesses the opening contributes to winter tourism traffic and consumer spending in the downtown and surrounding areas. For park and recreation planners the public open house provides a forum for transparency and direct engagement with users about programming and concession operations.

The city runs Hickory Hills as a municipally operated facility, which creates specific governance and budget considerations. Funding for operations typically combines user fees, seasonal pass revenue, and municipal appropriations. The decision to offer Nordic access as part of alpine season passes increases recreational value for pass holders, and may influence future demand patterns between alpine and Nordic use. Temporary removal of disc golf infrastructure highlights a common municipal challenge, balancing multi use of limited public lands and communicating alternate access or scheduling to affected user groups.

Operational readiness will hinge on weather, and on the performance of snowmaking systems and grooming equipment. The public demonstration of the PistenBully aims to make that readiness more visible to taxpayers and users, reinforcing accountability for maintenance and capital investments. The open house also serves as a civic moment, allowing residents to meet staff, ask questions, and weigh in on programming offerings and concessions, which in turn helps city officials assess community priorities.

As the season approaches, residents should monitor city communications for any updates about opening dates and pass availability. The combination of municipal oversight, user fees, and public engagement around Hickory Hills illustrates how local governance delivers recreational services while balancing fiscal and community priorities.