Zip, dip, flip, zag, schuss, board and ski Michigan

Detroit Free Press (MCT) - Michigan skiers have gloved fingers crossed.

They want a repeat of last winter's weather.

"Last year the atmosphere was so great," says Jami Morris, 21, of Grosse Pointe, whose family has a house in Harbor Springs near Nub's Nob. "It was amazing. It was powder."

The state's 32 ski areas and resorts are a huge bargain for Midwest skiers compared to trips to Aspen or Vail.

Last year, many of Michigan's ski resorts stayed open from December to March without a major winter thaw, boosting ski resort business by 15 percent, according to the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA). Resorts in both northern and lower Michigan got about 75-80 inches of snow, while Marquette got more than 200 inches.

Both Accu Weather and the Farmer's Almanac are forecasting another winter of snowy cold.

"We are selling season passes in record numbers, and people are booking for the holidays," says Steve Kershner, director of skiing at Shanty Creek in Bellaire and chairman of the MSIA.

"I think the economic situation may keep people closer to home."

Tourism is Michigan's third largest industry after manufacturing and agriculture.

Lower gas prices also should be good news for Michigan's ski resorts, many of which are three or more hours' drive north of Detroit. The average gasoline price in the state is about $2.59, nearly $2 lower than in July and 40 cents cheaper than last year at this time, according to AAA.

Every Michigan ski resort that was open last year will reopen this season, an achievement in a dicey economy. Indianhead Mountain Resort in Wakefield in the western Upper Peninsula is in the process of buying its neighboring resorts Blackjack and Big Powderhorn. The three will combine into one big ski resort sometime this winter.

Meanwhile, customers will notice improvements at many other Michigan's ski resorts.

New Lodging: Shanty Creek's Lakeview Hotel and Conference Center, a complete redo of the old Summit Village hotel, has now opened _ and yes, it still has a spectacular view of the hills and lakes from its lobby. In addition, all 12 Summit Mountain slopes will be open this season.

Spa/Fitness: Sometime in January, Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is scheduled to unveil its new $4-million Crystal Spa adjacent to its pool and fitness center. Already open is the new lakeside Amira Spa at the Homestead in Glen Arbor. The Homestead's new fitness center, New Leaf, should be open by ski season.

Terrain Parks: Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac has created two new snowboarding jib terrain parks (a jib is another word for obstacle), Cammy's Jib Park and Little Jibber's Park. Ski Brule in Iron River has a new terrain park called Bambi Playground. Swiss Valley in Gobles has added a beginner terrain park. And Mt. Brighton has expanded its terrain park.

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Lifts: Both Nub's Nob in Harbor Springs and Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls have new, faster chairlifts. Nub's is on Pintail Peak; Boyne's is at the Meadows run.

Equipment: Nub's Nob has all new rental snowboards, boots and bindings this year.

Perhaps most important, most of the state's ski resorts now have sophisticated snow-making and grooming equipment, which expands the days resorts can stay open.

"They will have better snow and more of it, so no matter what it is doing in your back yard, you are going to have a nice time skiing," says Mickey MacWilliams, executive director of MSIA.

The fact that season pass sales are up from last year is significant, MacWilliams says. "It means that people are optimistic enough to buy something now that they plan to use later."

MSIA's $189 White Gold card lets skiers ski free once at each of 29 participating ski resorts in the state. Sales are running about 15 percent ahead of last year.

Morris of Grosse Pointe, who has been skiing since she was 3, hopes Michigan resorts won't need to use their snowmaking equipment this year.

"Manmade snow is fine," she says, "but it doesn't beat real snow."

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SENIOR SPECIALS

What a deal. Senior skiers _ even those as young as age 50 _ can get discounts at Michigan ski resorts.

It's part of an effort to retain the age group in Michigan rather than have the 50-up crowd leave the state for leisure fun, says Mickey MacWilliams, executive director of Michigan Snowsports Industries Association.

"We're really competing for your vacation time, not just with other ski destinations," she says.

Here are samples of what you can get. Check with your favorite ski resort to see if they'll give you a deal.

50-up: Every Tuesday-Thursday at Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac, pay $15 to get a Silver Streak lift ticket, ski rental and beginner lessons.

55-up: Get lodging discounts and free skiing Monday-Friday on these Silver Streak weeks: Jan. 4-8, Jan. 11-15, Jan. 25-29, March 1-5 at Shanty Creek in Bellaire.

Get one free pass and free demo ski tryout Jan. 19-23 at Cross-Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon.

60-up: Get half-price on all day/evening lift tickets and equipment rental at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville and Timber Ridge in Gobles.

Get $10 lift tickets and $10 equipment rentals at Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain.

62-up: Get half-price lift ticket prices at Mt. Brighton in Brighton.

65-up: Ski free at Mt. Zion in Ironwood and Treetops in Gaylord.

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Ski for half-price at Swiss Valley in Jones.

Get a lift ticket for $24 at Marquette Mountain in Marquette, $34 at Indianhead in Wakefield, and $29-$32 at Norway Mountain in Norway.

70-up: Ski free at Nub's Nob in Harbor Springs, Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, Cannonsburg Ski Area in Cannonsburg, the Homestead in Glen Arbor and Snow Snake Mountain in Harrison.

80-up: Ski free all season at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville.

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IF YOU GO:

CONDITIONS: Link to Michigan's ski resorts and get information about their slopes, lodging, dining and deals at www.goskimichigan.com or 248-620-4448.

OPENING DATES: Check a partial list of which slopes are open at www.snocountry.com.

EVERYTHING BUT DOWNHILL:

_Timberlee Hills tubing hill, Traverse City, $15 for two hours (www.timberleehills.com, 231-941-4142).

_Muskegon Winter Sports Complex public luge, $35-$40 for a lesson and luging (www.msports.org, 231-744-9629). You also need a Michigan state parks pass.

_Cross Country Ski Headquarters groomed trails (www.cross-country-ski.com, 800-832-2663).

_Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore cross country/snowshoe trails (www.nps.gov/slbe, 231-326-5134).

_Tahquamenon Falls State Park's Giant Pines Loop trail will be groomed again this year. (www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails, 906-492-3415).

_Garland Resort cross-country groomed trails (www.garlandusa.com, 877-442-7526).

DEALS: Find these deals from Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, a group that promotes Michigan skiing and snowboarding. See www.goskimichigan.com or call 248-620-4448.

White Gold card is $189, the same as last year, and lets you ski once at each of 29 Michigan ski resorts during the season.

Fourth-Grade Cold is Cool Passport promotion: Lets fourth-graders ski free three times this season as long as they are skiing with a paying adult at one of 22 participating ski areas. The passport is free; get an application online or at area ski shop.

Discover Michigan Skiing: A great chance for people who have never skied to try it inexpensively, Jan. 5-31 at 24 participating ski resorts. It's the same price as last year _ $30 for adults; $25 for children ages 7-14. You also can try snowboarding for $40 for ages 10-up. Get a Discover Michigan Skiing voucher at McDonald's restaurants or print one at www.goskimichigan.com.

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Ellen Creager: ecreager@freepress.com

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© 2008, Detroit Free Press.