Ever since the resort opened in 1947, thousands of guests from Metro Detroit looking for a golf or ski getaway or to gawk at fall colors have made the trek north to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. A newspaper article from 1952 “Sugar Loaf Mountain is listed on a map in a Consumers Power brochure listing top ski areas in the northern lower peninsula. The brochure appears to be circa 1959. They report it had 4 slopes and 4 tows, with a slalom bowl, ski trails, snacks and instruction on premises. By Feb. 3, 1966, The Cass City Chronicle listed Sugar Loaf in the AAA Guide to Winter Sports Fun in Michigan as having 50 acres of ski runs, 2 double chairlifts, J-Bar, and snowmaking.”
It wasn't just the best place to ski in the state, it was the gem of the entire Midwest. Known for its steeps and après parties, the area was a sizable blip on the national skiing radar. In the mid-1970s, it attracted 3,000 to 4,000 skiers a day—numbers that compete with all but the biggest ski areas. The ski school attracted top-tier talent; the ski shop made a killing; and the hotel, lodge, and condos that line the base area were regularly at capacity. One run in particular captured the imaginations of the brave and adventurous skiers who visited. Those who tamed it became legends.
But during the 1980s interest rates skyrocketed and the resort faced hard times. Sugar Loaf changed owners, but its financial troubles continued. A mixture of high interest rates and years of little snow combined to shutter the resort in early 2000. When it closed Sugar Loaf had 20 ski able acres on 490 vertical feet. The summit elevation is 1100′ and the base elevation is 610′. Sugar Loaf had 6 Lifts: 1 triple, 5 doubles with an uphill capacity of 3600/hr. Terrain Mix was 30-40-30 and the longest run was 5100′. It had night skiing Mon.-Sat. with rentals & lessons. Annual Snowfall was 182″ and it had snowmaking.
Excellent 80's ski video promoting the resort HERE
We were passing this one so stopped off to have a quick look. It was actaully a lot better than the 5 minute wander I thought it was going to be super chilled one this, really intact but also trashed in some places. I couldnt belive the amount if Ski's still there and how the rooms were still made up, beds made, cups in plastic etc apart from the mould it would be a good one for a stop over. I read somewhere that the locals still ski here, they take their ski mobiles and use them for uplift
Thanks to Detroit News & Powder for most of the info
![URL]]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
It wasn't just the best place to ski in the state, it was the gem of the entire Midwest. Known for its steeps and après parties, the area was a sizable blip on the national skiing radar. In the mid-1970s, it attracted 3,000 to 4,000 skiers a day—numbers that compete with all but the biggest ski areas. The ski school attracted top-tier talent; the ski shop made a killing; and the hotel, lodge, and condos that line the base area were regularly at capacity. One run in particular captured the imaginations of the brave and adventurous skiers who visited. Those who tamed it became legends.
But during the 1980s interest rates skyrocketed and the resort faced hard times. Sugar Loaf changed owners, but its financial troubles continued. A mixture of high interest rates and years of little snow combined to shutter the resort in early 2000. When it closed Sugar Loaf had 20 ski able acres on 490 vertical feet. The summit elevation is 1100′ and the base elevation is 610′. Sugar Loaf had 6 Lifts: 1 triple, 5 doubles with an uphill capacity of 3600/hr. Terrain Mix was 30-40-30 and the longest run was 5100′. It had night skiing Mon.-Sat. with rentals & lessons. Annual Snowfall was 182″ and it had snowmaking.
Excellent 80's ski video promoting the resort HERE
We were passing this one so stopped off to have a quick look. It was actaully a lot better than the 5 minute wander I thought it was going to be super chilled one this, really intact but also trashed in some places. I couldnt belive the amount if Ski's still there and how the rooms were still made up, beds made, cups in plastic etc apart from the mould it would be a good one for a stop over. I read somewhere that the locals still ski here, they take their ski mobiles and use them for uplift
Thanks to Detroit News & Powder for most of the info
![URL]]](http://[URL='https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4810/45497009644_28a7ebe475_c.jpg%5B/img']https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4810/45497009644_28a7ebe475_c.jpg[/img[/URL]])
