THOMPSONVILLE, MI-Crystal Mountain’s chairlifts are busy each winter ferrying ski enthusiasts to the top of the runs. But in the fall, these chairlift rides offer a gorgeous way to see Northern Michigan’s fall colors. Panoramic views of three counties can be had as you are taken slowly up the slopes of this popular Benzie County resort.
This October, Crystal Mountain will be running chairlift rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Rides are $5 per person, and reservations are not required. You can get your tickets at the base of the Crystal Clipper. Children 8 and younger can ride for free with a paying adult. Once you get to the top of the mountain, a cash bar is available for adults. Check the resort’s website for times and more details.
These chairlift rides are just one part of the big list of fall activities Crystal Mountain is rolling out this season. The series of Fall Fun Saturdays planned for later this month features activities like a Chairlift & Hike combo, horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin painting and outdoor laser tag.
“Autumn in northern Michigan is truly breathtaking,” said John Melcher, chief operating officer for the resort. “And there’s no better way to see the fall colors than from soaring in a Crystal Mountain chairlift ride where you’re right in the middle of it all.”
This four-season resort near Frankfort and the southern edge of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore recently embarked on a plan to add NASA-inspired air scrubbers and other features to improve air quality in its buildings, heading into the winter season when more guests will be inside during this pandemic era.
“We are a family resort, and we want Crystal to be safe,” co-owner Jim MacInnes has told MLive regarding the safety upgrades.
Golf, mountain biking and hiking are in the lineup this fall at this four-season resort. Photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain.
This year’s Fall Fun Saturdays put an emphasis on outdoor activities geared toward families and small groups. They will run this year on Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31.
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