Crystal Mountain

My 12 y/o son (snowboard) and I (skis) had a lovely time at Crystal Mountain the first weekend of February. We skied Friday from late-afternoon into evening, all day Saturday and Sunday morning. I have been skiing for 30+ years, but he is still learning to snowboard. Everybody was friendly and patient with him (and me). All the employees were helpful and informed. Great time, and will definitely return!

Crystal Mountain always has a great atmosphere! Even on rainy days (which it was for our group this weekend), the people working the ski lifts were toughing it out with a smile.

I spent a little more time in the ski shop getting fitted for some boots, but I couldn’t be happier with the help from Brian!

It stunk that our weekend was filled with a bit of rain but overall we had an amazing time!

Thanks guys!

We LOVE Crystal Mountain. The staff are perfect for families - they helped us out with our young kids three different times. It’s very clean, inviting, and well-maintained. Great skiing and other amenities!

I love photographing at this resort. I have had the pleasure of photographing many weddings, proms, family photo's well as other smaller events here. The staff is always very friendly and knowledgeable.
So where to start...lets start from wedding perspective. The pond with small deck is beautiful year around. It can be seen to the left as you enter the facility. Also to the left, is a small wedding seating area with an arbor. Despite the hustle and bustle of the resort this little corner is secluded and and makes it perfect for your small ceremony. I would like to note that there is an adorable little bridge tucked away in the corner. It is worth a photo opt or two.
If you are looking for a larger space you should check out the Crystal Center. This is the building located just to the right of the main hotel. It is quite spacious and offers many different rooms. The back off the building is large beautiful windows that offers lots of natural lighting. Though my favorite location is the left back corner over looking the deck. The fire places really add to the ambiance. I have personally shot here for school reunions, weddings and proms. Note: some great photo opportunities are on the back deck and just behind. There is a retaining wall with lots of greenery as well as a nice view of the ski lift.
Located behind the main hotel is the Lodge. This building has 2 rooms available for receptions and what not but for this review I will be discussing the Vista lounge. It is quaint, perfect for a smaller reception. The abundance of natural light here is a dream. The large windows over look the ski hills and pines. My couple was quite pleased with this location as well.
Photo opts:
Mountain top is popular but unless its winter or fall its mostly just scenic green over look. There is a deck up there that has beautiful planters of flowers for a pop of color but for the artist in me, I was not really feeling this.
There is a Bar on top of the building that is just perfect with hanging café lights and lots of hard lines. It makes for some amazing black and white images.
To the left of the building there is all windows that encase a stair case lit in blue lights. This is beautiful just about any time of year.
There is a pergola with the lights. This is located just off the the left hand side of the hotel tucked besides the shops. In the summer it is covered in greenery.
In the winter they have a ice skate rental and small ice rink. This made for an adorable couples session. This is located jut to the left of the hotel too.
Lastly I was just there shooting night time family shots. The area around the hotel is adorned with Christmas lights and made for the perfect background.

I look forward to Photographing 2024 Proms here this year.

Best ski resort in Michigan in my opinion. Plenty of slopes, lifts, rental equipment, and food options. Instructors are really encouraging with the kids too. Sunday Fun Day and afternoon passes are a good value. I also really appreciate the destination Level 2 chargers. More resorts should add those.

I'd come here way more often if it was less expensive. Despite only 17 runs being open when I went, I had a fabulous time. Broke my top speed record & managed to hit 48 mph on Loki, my beloved. Everyone who works there is so nice & helpful. Shout-out to the ski lift dude who kept telling ppl their shoes were untied.

Crystal Mountain is great for kids and adults learning to ski and snowboard as well as those with experience. The bunny hill is just the right amount you need to get started and there is a nice long beginner run in the middle and long easy runs too. The ski rental is organized and the staff was helpful and kind everywhere we went. I really enjoyed skiing here and I recommend it to families.

As a first timer at crystal mountain I was very pleased with the resort experience. The staff was knowledgeable, helpful, and the lift crew kept the lifts running smoothly. The snow was great considering the weather had been 50 degrees for a week prior to us arriving.

All around great experience. The resort staff were super friendly, food was great and inexpensive; and the slopes never felt over crowded. There was also a great variety of slopes that our beginner level kids could enjoy.

Listen, I'm biased to Crystal Mountain. My wife and I got married here last year, which in itself was an amazing experience. The accomodations, the venue, the chairlift ride up... Unbelievable. The grounds are beautiful in every season.

I've skied here, mountain biked, been married... I love this place

As a professional wedding photographer with Exposures by Rah, I have had the absolute pleasure of capturing unforgettable moments at Crystal Mountain, and it's an honor to give this remarkable venue a resounding 5-star review.

Crystal Mountain, known for its downhill skiing and golf, transforms into a wedding paradise with breathtaking views from the top of the Clipper chairlift. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular, offering a picturesque backdrop that elevates every photo.

The wedding staff at Crystal Mountain are true pros, and their expertise ensures that the day runs seamlessly. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence make them a joy to work with, allowing me to focus on creating stunning photographs. They truly provide a luxury experience!

One of the standout features of Crystal Mountain is the ability to have everyone stay on-site. This not only reduces travel times but also enhances the overall experience for both guests and vendors. The resort goes above and beyond in managing shuttles and the chairlift to transport your guests, ensuring that the logistics are as smooth as the slopes.

Golden hour photos at Crystal Mountain are consistently gorgeous, with the stunning landscape bathed in the warm, soft light of the setting sun. It's a dream come true for photographers, and I've had the privilege of capturing some truly magical moments during this time.

Above all, Crystal Mountain goes the extra mile for both clients and vendors. Their commitment to creating a memorable experience shines through in every detail, making it a top choice for weddings and photography. It's a place where creativity soars, and I look forward to capturing more extraordinary moments at this exceptional venue.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!
I don't ski so I can't speak on that but the amenities and HOSPITALITY of the crew at this place is hands down the best ski area I've been too!!!!
Also REALLY appreciated the complimentary shuttle around the resort.
I WILL be back! Hopefully in the summer months to enjoy this beautiful, magical little gem of a place!
***UPDATE ****************************
Springtime visit was disappointing. None of their restaurants were open!!😖
Even though if you look them up they say they are. BUT..... The 231 Grill and Bar down the street, hits it out of the park!!! Really good food there.
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Spa was AMAZING and so was The Wild Tomato and Betsies Pizza.
I miss you already Crystal Mountain!💎
ONLY thing that was not up to par is the TP. Brand needs to change for sure......

Great slopes for my boys to try out snowboarding and skiing for the first time. Rental equipment in good condition. Lift lines ran smoothly. Attentive staff.

Beautiful setting. Golfed, mountain biked and attended conferences. Oddly, never skied there!

We had an absolutely magical time here! Took ski lessons with Bob, who was super nice and patient. Stayed at the Inn, which had beautiful rooms that appear to be recently renovated. Lots of neat tech features in the rooms.

While this resort is gorgeous, what made our time here so enjoyable were the staff. From the moment we made a reservation all the way to our last day here, the staff have been absolutely wonderful. So friendly and kind. I hope the resort pays them well.

Loved the slopes, the pool, and the ice rink. Food at the restaurants was great! Thank you for a great time - we will be back for certain!

Updated 7/16/23
We have now gone here several times in 2023 and absolutely love it here. The staff make this place special! We were surprised the summer was equally as fun as the winter here - lots of things to do - we did the alpine slide, archery, the pool, and chair lift rides. Highly recommend!

Great experience for the family. We stayed in the hamlet for an awesome ski-in-ski out experience. I left my purse behind and the very honest team handed it off to Crystal's safety where they went out of their way to track me down. Thank you again Crystal Mountain Safety team!

Great place lots of different skill level hills and lots of hills so it doesn’t feel super crowded

We must travel a minimum of an hour for the closest snowboarding. When we have a few days to spend, we travel the 4 hours up north to stay at one of the bigger resorts. We have tried most of the area resorts and Crystal Mountain has become our top choice!

Absolutely love Crystal Mountain! Everyone that works here is friendly and helpful. I’ve been going here since I was a young kid and learned how to ski and snowboard here. I’ve met some of my best friends here and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. 10 stars

This is my family's absolute favorite place to go in Michigan for a winter family getaway. I'm always blown away with how well it's managed. The ski experience, the food, the always friendly service from ALL of the staff, the layout, the landscaping, everything is well thought out and managed. Love the spa too.