Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area

My boyfriend took me skiing here last weekend. It was my first time to ski, & this was such a great place for me, as a beginner. The staff was very knowledgable & friendly, especially Ron E., who gave me TONS of great advice & was really sweet. We are definitely planning to come back to Swiss Valley soon, & I’d absolutely recommend it was anyone who is just learning how to ski/​has small children, as they seem to have a great program set up for little ones. Overall, an adorable ski destination, & a wonderful time!

I learned to ski here. Fun place and a great lodge to have a cocktail.

Greatest people at any ski area I’ve been to. I’ve skied all over the world, and the culture of helpfulness and everyone’s friendly attitude put this small place on the map. No better place around for young ones to learn terrain park and free skiing! Actually have knowledgable park and Freeski/​freestyle instructors. With weekly Saturday group lessons for the terrain park!
Great atmosphere and culture, regardless of vert… Worth the trip if your young ones of any age are starting to get serious about slope style, big air and freestyle.

This is a great little hill for 1^st timers and folks who just want to get out a bit. We went with a group– 4 adults, 3 kids and 2 teens. The teens enjoyed the terrain park while the rest of us enjoyed 2 – 3 other hills. We went during the Sunday night $ 20 deal. For that amount, it’s a great hill. The place was PACKED though. we waited in line to pay, then for boots, then for helmet, then for skis. There were also very long lines at lifts. We also waited a really long time for food in the chalet. We almost lost our last hour of skiing. It was Presidents day weekend so that may account for increased crowds.
Overall, it was an enjoyable day and we’ll go again.

With only 225 vertical feet, and only 7 runs (i know… they say 11, but c’mon, really?) how could you possibly give this place a 4 star rating??? Location, location, location.
Most people in the midwest ski like this:
1. Point skis downhill.
2. Go straight down the hill as fast as you can.
3. Upon reaching the bottom of the hill attempt to stop by either:
a) sitting down,
b) hitting someone,
c) hitting something, or my favorite
d) turning into a large ball of snow, similar to Pig-​pen from the ‘Peanuts.’
4. Repeat.
If you try to ski like that in most places, you will kill yourself. But at such a small place like this, you usually can survive with only minor injuries.
We go here usually twice a year, and it is a great learning place for my kids to learn how to ski… the CORRECT WAY, not the ‘midwest bowling ball’ way. It is so close to our home (takes about 80 minutes to get there), yet they are close enough to Lake Michigan to take advantage of lake effect snows that there is usually plenty of snow. We usually take advantage of the ‘Monday Homeschool Special’ days… where else can 5 people get rentals and day lifts for $ 95? Equipment is ok, but if you get a bad set of boots or skis, just go back and get a new set and ask for what you want and they will take care of you.
TIP: The tow rope on the bunny hill will rip up your ski gloves, so you may want to bring a pair of ‘work gloves’ for teaching the little kiddos… I wear a pair of glove liners under them, and my hands stay plenty warm. Also, the 3 lifts lifts don’t have safety bars, so that always worries me a little, but I’ve never see anyone fall off yet mid-​trip.
When taking a break, we enjoy hanging out in either the cafeteria, or in the fireplace den (360 degree open fire pit.) Since we are usually taking our kids, plus several others kids, we usually take a cooler of lunch food and purchase additional items as needed.
Like I said, this is NOT a great skiing destination, as you will not be WOWed by the slopes, equipment, or snow… but even Swiss Valley recognizes that they are «a great place for families, beginners» & «a great place to keep your Rocky Mountain legs in condition for the bigger mountain and northern Michigan ski trips. «
So plan a visit, have some fun, learn how to ski, and be sure to take advantage of the cheap entertainment happening daily: Watching the midwest skiers… it’s kind of like watching NASCAR!