Crystal Mountain is a year-round resort playground.

When the changing autumnal leaves replace the rich, green-lined fairways, even the most stalwart of golfers—who still linger on the course despite the coming chill—leave both the course and season behind as their minds inevitably turn to thoughts of winter months.

Surrounded by acres of state-protected forests and iconic natural landscape, Crystal Mountain is nestled in the northwestern Michigan region known for its picturesque beauty throughout all seasons. Initially established as ski area, the family-owned resort has evolved into a four-season resort destination catering both indoor and outdoor activities for guests.

Crystal Mountain not only offers a golfing destination for the avid player with its 36 holes of championship golf and its 29,000-square-foot, Scotland-inspired Kinlochen clubhouse; but also provides a number of additional recreational opportunities and activities during the summer and winter months.

In the warmer season, the resort also features on-site hiking and mountain biking trails with access to nearby pathways and conservancy routes; tennis and pickleball courts; tours through the award-winning designed gardens at Cottages at Water’s Edge; an alpine slide, and a one-acre, outdoor, water playground known as Park at Water’s Edge.

The walkable, pedestrian-friendly resort will also soon be welcoming the completion of its $11 million addition on the Inn at the Mountain. The contemporary and northern-inspired building will house a specialty market, coffee and wine bar, additional accommodations, and a rooftop terrace.

As the summer heat retreats to lower latitudes, Crystal Mountain shifts gears as it prepares the resort for the changing weather. The resort’s versatile facilities and amenities are designed to have a dual purpose: golf courses are utilized as cross-country ski and fat-tire bike trails, and Kinlochen becomes a hub skiers and provides Nordic ski equipment through its pro shop.

With the blanketing of snow, the resort becomes a veritable wonderland offering traditional romantic winter time activities including: ice skating, horse-drawn surrey rides with hot cocoa, and roaring bonfires.

Visitors can also tour the 30-acre wooded preserve known as the Michigan Legacy Art Park, which is accessibly by foot or ski; or indulge themselves with a massage or spa treatment at the 18,500-square-foot, LEED Certified Crystal Spa throughout the year. The resort also offers an IACC-approved conference center for banquets and meetings, and wedding event space. On-site dining, such as the Thistle Pub & Grille invites patrons to sample a menu comprising steak, salad, fish, and single-malt scotches; while the Wild Tomato Restaurant & Bar offers a more relaxed atmosphere and culinary options.

Come rain, snow, or shine; a visit to Crystal Mountain will offer guests a multitude of options and leave them with a distinctive experience and memory.

TGE

Visit Crystal Mountain

Edit by R.J. Weick

Photography courtesy Crystal Mountain