How did Nubs Nob get its name? Nubs and his wife Dorie opened it back in 1958 as a small ski area that has now grown to quite a substantial ski resort in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Nubs would be proud. His ski hill has earned kudos for being the best ski area in the Midwest as well as kudos in the form of a gold medal from SKI Magazine. Not bad! Even better, Nubs Nob has a top rated terrain park for snowboarders. The Transworld Snowboard Magazine readers voted Nubs Nob the #1 Terrain Park in the Midwest.
And if you love night skiing, Nubs is perfectly lit up, even for snowboarders.
Snowboarders love the Main Line Park, which has a 25 foot step over, double kink rail, a-frame rail, Jersey Barrier, a huge superpipe, and a flat box. The 3 different terrain parks provide thrills for all levels.
Nubs has sprawled out to include 3 different peaks with 53 trails. That offers a lot of skiing! It has a vertical drop of 427 feet with 9 chairlifts taking skiers to 53 runs spread out over 248 skiable acres---all of which gets ample snowmaking attention if there is not enough snow---although Nubs gets a respectable 120 inches of snowfall every year. There are chairlifts, 3 quads, 4 triples, 2 doubles and 1 rope tow. They can transport over 18,000 skiers per hour.
Inside the main lodge you can find Nub's Nob General Store selling ski clothing and accessories, Nub's Nob Cafeteria serving breakfast and lunch, and Nub's Winter Garden outside grilling up burgers and bratwurst. Up on the top of the Pintail Peak is the Pintail Peak Warming Hut, which on weekends serves home made soups and sandwiches. Also in the main lodge is Nub's Pub for drinks and music. There's a big fireplace in the main lodge and another one downstairs so everyone gets to get near the fire and dry out.
For lodging, you should take a look at staying at the main lodge at Boyne Highlands Resort right in Harbor Springs. It also has some skiing on the property, but its main attraction is the beautiful English country estate feel of the hotel. Also take a look at the Best Western in Harbor Springs. It has a heated indoor pool which is nice after a day skiing and a free continental breakfast.
For dining out in Harbor Springs, Kilborn's Fish Restaurant specializes in all types of fish from lake perch to walleye to shrimp tempura to calamari to lobster ravioli. It is fun and casual. And if you would like a taste of Poland, stop by Polish Kitchen for authentic dishes including a mouthwatering Dill Pickle Soup, Pierogi Reuben, and goulash.
After dinner, you have to go to Tom's Mom's Cookies for home baked cookies that you can enjoy there and then have them bag up for you to enjoy as a snack on the slopes the next day! Try their chocolate chip with dried cherries or the chocolate almond coconut. These are cookies like you make at home. Not to be missed while you are in Harbor Springs!
