Last Updated on 20th June 2023 by Steve
Down in the southwestern corner of Michigan Kalamazoo has a cluster of small ski resorts within easy driving distance. The largest of the ski areas has only around 350 feet of vertical so the scope for skiers and snowboarders is not going to challenge the higher and larger ski resorts near Traverse City in the north. But the ski areas work fine as they are intended to – as a fun day out for locals in the southern part of the state.
Accommodation in the Kalamazoo area
Check the map below for accommodation availability in Kalamazoo and the surrounding region. Hover over the prices to see the accommodation and click on the price to check availability.
Timber Ridge Ski Area
Timber Ridge is the closest ski area to Kalamazoo and is located just to the north-west of the city near the town of Gobles. The family-run ski resort has a vertical drop of just over 200 feet and offers a total of eight lifts and two magic carpets. Skiing is mostly easy and intermediate level.
Distance from Kalamazoo: 17 miles
Ski resort website: www.timberridgeski.com
Bittersweet Ski Resort
Bittersweet ski area is the largest of the ski resorts close to Kalamazoo with a vertical drop of around 350 feet and a total of 11 lifts to service the ski runs. Located near Otsego to the north-west of the city, Bittersweet has 20 ski slopes mostly suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers.
Distance from Kalamazoo: 20 miles
Ski resort website: www.skibittersweet.com
Swiss Valley Ski Area
Swiss Valley ski area can boast the highest lift-served terrain in the ski areas around Kalamazoo, with a top elevation of 1200 feet and a vertical of 225 feet. The ski terrain of 11 runs is covered by seven lifts, including three chairlifts, and offers daily night skiing.
Distance from Kalamazoo: 37 miles
Ski resort website: www.skiswissvalley.com
Cannonsburg Ski Area
The skiing at Cannonsburg is only a short drive north-east of the city of Grand Rapids and has been operating since the 1960s. The year-round activities resort offers nine lifts (including three chairlifts) on a vertical of around 200 feet. The ski area also offers a snow tubing facility.
Distance from Kalamazoo: 65 miles
Ski resort website: cannonsburg.com
Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl
Mulligan’s Hollow is a local ski area on the shores of Lake Michigan just outside the town of Grand Haven. The ski area is run by volunteers and is only open on Thursday and Friday evenings and all day on weekends. There are three rope tows serving a vertical drop of around 150 feet and six ski runs.
Distance from Kalamazoo: 84 miles
Ski resort website: www.mulliganshollow.com
Discover more about the skiing elsewhere in the state: Ski Resorts in Michigan
