If you look at the trail map of Mount Holly it looks like a quintessential mountain ski resort. It is. Small compared to some, but it has all the services you would expect from a larger resort. And it is just one hour from Detroit, making it an excellent choice for visitors to that area who want to add onto their trip an opportunity to get out of town and enjoy winter sports.
With a vertical drop of 350 feet and over 100 skiable acres, it offers all levels of skiing with great snow making capability and expertly groomed trails. There are Wonder Carpet Conveyors that transport beginners easily, seven chair lifts, and five rope tows efficiently carrying 10,000 skiers up to the slopes every hour. Mount Holly also has excellent night skiing because the slopes are well groomed and well lit, including the snowboarder jumps areas.
There are some easy beginner runs, not too hard black runs, and a great run called Mogul Mania that gives new meaning to skiing over bumps! There is also a fun terrain park with a half pipe. In the Slalom Hill park there are flat boxes, a stepdown, a Pyramid Rail, a 20 foot corrugated stepdown and a corrugated round for snowboarders to fly over.
Mount Holly's attractive chalet lodge at the base is where you can warm up by the fire and find food at the two cafeterias. It has a large outdoor patio facing the mountain, a Chalet Ski Shop, and ski rental area.
If you would like to stay nearby in Holly, try Holly Crossing Bed and Breakfast, known for their generous breakfasts including fresh fruit, homemade breads and egg dishes.
Flint Michigan is only fifteen minutes away from Holly and has nineteen hotels and motels to choose from. If someone in your group wants to do something other than ski, Flint would be a good choice for lodging as it has many activities and shopping. There is the lovely Flint Institute of Arts to explore, the Flint Children's Museum, the Crossroads antique train ride, Longway Planetarium, the Sloan Museum where you can learn about the history of the auto industry, the University of Michigan to discover, and many performing arts events to attend.
Flint is interesting as well because it is where General Motors began so it has a long history entwined with the U.S. auto industry.
Dining in Flint is also much more varied than staying in Holly. Ruggero's is a lovely Italian restaurant, The Grill of India serving Indian fare, steak houses, El Potrero for Mexican, Taboon for middle eastern cuisine, and a host of other ethnic offerings which would make your ski trip all the better! You can begin après ski on the mountain then drive to Flint for dinner and sleep.
If you are planning on staying in Detroit and traveling back and forth to ski so that you also have the chance to experience one of America's largest cities, then take a look at the Westin Book Cadillac, a classic big city hotel totally renovated and lovely to stay in. For a different experience, try the historic Inn on Ferry Street. Filled with antiques and personality, it is a highly popular choice with visitors.
Staying in Detroit gives you the chance to see a show, do some great shopping, and visit some world-class museums.
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