From Ski Resort Conditions to Snow-Clearing Updates, Here’s Your Winter Break Report

While warmer temperatures will likely make for a semi-green Christmas, snow is still front of mind for everyone from ski resort operators to local plow drivers. The Ticker has your guide to hitting the slopes over winter break, plus updates on plowing routes, shoveling rules, and more.

Ski Resorts
While Traverse City Parks and Recreation hoped to open Hickory Hills Ski Area on December 19, equipment delays have pushed back that launch.

“Snowmaking equipment at Hickory was down, and it took some time to obtain the components that are compatible with our system,” explains City Manager Benjamin Marentette. “The equipment was repaired and confirmed as fully operational Friday, December 19.” However, with predicted temperatures in the mid-to-high thirties this week, “conditions for snowmaking are not ideal,” he says.

According to Marentette, the city anticipates “conditions starting the week of December 29 will be more favorable for snowmaking, and we are optimistic and hopeful for snowy – both humanmade and nature-made – hill conditions that are operational before the end of the year. We ask everyone to do their best snow dance!”

Those looking to ski in Traverse City over the holidays can still hit the slopes at Mt. Holiday. The nonprofit ski resort had quite a memorable opening day Saturday, as an evening neighborhood-wide power outage took down Mt. Holiday’s electricity and temporarily stranded skiers on lifts. However, Director of Operations Chris Remy says crews were able to fire up a backup diesel engine and get everyone safely off the lifts within 20 minutes. “Spirits were high, and we ended up having to kick everybody out of the bar,” he laughs. “People were chanting, ‘Best opening day ever!’”

The resort remained closed Sunday due to lingering power issues and slope clean-up from wind impacts, but reopened for business Monday. Though closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, Mt. Holiday will otherwise be open daily over the holiday break. The warmer temps this week won’t hamper resort conditions and are even beneficial, as the terrain was previously hard and icy, Remy says. “Tubing in particular is better when it’s softer, so this is a welcome thaw,” he says. Mt. Holiday has a “good amount of snow depth” and “gigantic piles” from which to work to maintain the slopes through the warm-up, according to Remy, while snowmaking should resume next week.

Remy says this is one of the earliest openings he can remember for Mt. Holiday, so he’s optimistic about this winter (the disastrously warm 2023-24 season only allowed the resort to operate for two weeks of skiing all season). About 30-40 percent of Mt. Holiday’s runs are open, with more launching soon. Remy is particularly excited about new lights installed by the yellow chair lift this year, which will “introduce night skiing on some of our best terrain.” That lift is expected to open by next week, he says.

Looking to hit up one of the bigger regional ski resorts over break? This week’s Northern Express, sister publication of The Ticker, has a guide to the 2025-26 season with the latest updates from Schuss Mountain, Caberfae Peaks, Crystal Mountain, Boyne Mountain, and The Highlands. Check it out online here or pick up a free copy on newsstands at more than 650 locations in 13 counties across northern Michigan.

Snow Clearing
Snow clearing has been a frequent topic at Traverse City commission and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meetings as officials work to remind the public of plowing routes and shoveling rules. The city has also shared updates on efforts to be more environmentally friendly with winter salt use.

According to the city’s most recent annual performance report, city crews tackle 95.28 miles of sidewalk, 85.52 miles of roadway, and 16.26 miles of trail for snow removal each year. While the Grand Traverse County Road Commission maintains 1,200 miles of county roads each winter, the city’s streets division handles public streets and alleys within city limits. According to the city’s Bay Brief, emergency routes and MDOT trunklines receive top priority for clearing each morning and are continually plowed throughout the day if snow accumulates. “City crews then move on to major and local streets, and finally alleys,” according to the Bay Brief.

The city provides a “supplemental snow plowing program” for sidewalks, starting with areas near school routes and city buildings followed by sidewalks along main roads and safety routes, then finally residential areas “when time and staffing allow,” the Bay Brief states. However, the city reminds residents and business owners they’re required by city ordinance to remove “any snow and ice that accumulates on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to their property.” Snow should not be pushed into streets or alleys but rather tree lawns, personal property, or around street trees downtown.

Sidewalk clearing is particularly tricky downtown given the pedestrian congestion. If over three inches accumulate overnight, a city contractor will clear downtown sidewalks in the early morning when they’re empty of pedestrians. Contractors won’t go through during the day when pedestrians are present, so property owners are responsible for shoveling their storefront sidewalks as needed if snow accumulates then. Owners are also responsible for plowing private lots, while city lots are plowed by contractors. Cars are banned from parking on streets overnight from 3am to 6am to allow for plowing.

The city’s department of public services (DPS) is working to reduce winter salt use to be more environmentally friendly. “Previous initiatives, including Beet Heet pre-wetting, sander controller optimization, and reduced salt/sand mix rates, have already achieved a 42 percent reduction in salt use,” according to the city. “Current application rates of 0-200 pounds per lane mile place the City of Traverse City among the lowest users compared with 11 northern Michigan municipalities.”

DPS is also working to implement “several forward-looking investments,” including a new hybrid liquid/solid application system expected in early 2026 that will “improve efficiency while reducing granular salt use.” Expanded use of wing plows has increased lane coverage per pass and reduced emissions, while staff are being trained to limit salt applications as conditions allow. The development of a modernized brine-making and storage facility, exploration of new corn-based liquid deicers, and other upgrades are also consideration, according to the city.

Photo credit: Mt. Holiday