Snow

The Best Midwest Skiing Is At Ski Brule

When you’re searching for the best Midwest skiing , one thing matters more than anything else: SNOW.  Great lodges, lifts and amenities are important, but without great snow, they don’t mean much. That’s why Ski Brule has built its reputation around one simple philosophy:  IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE SNOW.

At Ski Brule, snowmaking isn’t something we do just to get the season started. When temperatures and conditions allow, our experienced snowmaking crew continues making snow throughout the season, building and maintaining the deep base that helps Ski Brule deliver dependable skiing from early winter well into spring skiing.

Located in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, Ski Brule combines natural snowfall, extensive snowmaking, expert grooming and almost 70 years of experience to create the snow conditions our guests return for year after year.

Ski Brule Is Your Snow Resort

Ski Brule’s approach to snow is different.   Instead of simply making enough snow to open a trail and immediately moving on, our mountain crew works to build a deep, durable snow base. That extra snow provides an important reserve when the Midwest experiences a warm spell or Mother Nature decides not to cooperate.

It’s a strategy built on decades of Upper Peninsula winters and one that has helped Ski Brule consistently provide a long Michigan ski and snowboard season.

Snowmaking Is Both a Science and an Art

Having a powerful snowmaking system and modern grooming equipment is important, but equipment alone doesn’t create great skiing.  It takes knowledge, timing, experience and a dedicated mountain crew.

Temperature, humidity, water temperature, wind and changing weather conditions all influence snowmaking. Ski Brule’s veteran snowmakers understand how those variables work together and how to adjust the snowmaking process as conditions change. Then comes grooming. Making snow is only part of the process; knowing how to distribute, preserve and groom that snow is equally important.

Combine the right equipment with decades of experience—and a few Ski Brule snowmaking secrets—and you get the conditions that have helped make Ski Brule a favorite destination for Michigan skiing and snowboarding.

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When Does Ski Brule Start Making Snow?

As soon as Mother Nature gives us the opportunity.

Snowmaking can begin as early as October when temperatures and humidity are favorable. Ski Brule’s record opening date is October 24.

Fall snowmaking can be challenging because water temperatures are typically warmer than they are later in winter. Colder air and lower humidity help snowmaking systems operate more efficiently, which is why the mountain crew closely monitors weather conditions and takes advantage of productive snowmaking windows.  Once the conditions are right, the snow guns come alive.  Under ideal conditions, Ski Brule’s snowmaking system can produce enough snow to open a trail with approximately 24 hours of snowmaking.

But opening quickly isn’t the only goal.  We want to build snow that lasts.

Why Ski Brule Builds a Deep Snow Base

Ski Brule could move from trail to trail after making only enough snow to open. Instead, our snowmaking crew concentrates on building a substantial base.

Why? Because Midwest weather changes.  Temperatures can climb unexpectedly in December, January or even February. A deeper base helps the mountain withstand those warm periods and provides snow that can be redistributed and groomed when needed. Our crew also strategically stockpiles snow around the mountain. Those reserves give the grooming team additional snow to work with as conditions change throughout the season.

The result is greater consistency and a longer season.

What Happens During a Midwinter Warm-Up?

A few warm afternoons don’t mean poor skiing. When nighttime temperatures return below freezing, snow loss can be surprisingly limited—even when daytime temperatures climb into the 40s.

And there’s another benefit: Soft spring snow that is fantastic to ski and snowboard on. March and April can offer some of the most enjoyable days of the entire season: comfortable temperatures, sunshine, softer snow and plenty of opportunities to make turns.

That’s why experienced Ski Brule guests know that winter fun doesn’t end when spring arrives.

The Winter That Wasn’t — Except at Ski Brule

The 2023/24 season put Ski Brule’s snowmaking philosophy to the test.

Unusually warm Midwest weather created difficult operating conditions for ski areas throughout the region. Ski Brule responded by doing what we’ve always done: taking advantage of snowmaking opportunities, building the base and managing the snow throughout the season. While many Midwest ski areas struggled with terrain availability, Ski Brule achieved 100% open terrain during the 2023/24 season.

That challenging winter demonstrated exactly why Ski Brule continues investing in snowmaking, grooming and the experienced people who make it all happen.

It really is all about the snow.

How Long Is the Ski Brule Season?

Ski Brule has a long history of opening early and skiing late.  Our goal isn’t to choose a closing date months in advance. We want to keep skiing and snowboarding as long as good snow conditions allow.

Ski Brule’s season records include:

• Record Opening: October 24
• Record Closing: May 15
• Longest Recorded Season: 182 days
• Average Season: approximately 164 days — nearly 5½ months

Ski Brule also has a long Thanksgiving skiing tradition, including hosting its Thanksgiving Race Camp for more than 30 years.

Ski Brule Ski & Snowboard Season History

2019/20 season ended early due to the COVID-19 government shutdown.

Almost 70 Years of Michigan Snowmaking Experience

Snowmaking technology has changed tremendously over the years, but one thing hasn’t changed at Ski Brule: our commitment to snow. Our veteran snowmaking and grooming crews understand the mountain. They know where snow needs to be deeper, where it needs to be stockpiled and how to manage it throughout changing Upper Peninsula weather.

That experience can’t simply be purchased with another snow gun or grooming machine. It’s developed over decades on the mountain.  The result is what we like to call “Brule Made” snow—snow created, groomed and maintained to provide a great skiing and snowboarding surface.

The Best Michigan Family Skiing Is About More Than Snow

Snow may be the foundation, but the Ski Brule experience is about much more. Families come to Ski Brule for skiing and snowboarding, but they remember the people, traditions and time spent together.  Most importantly, you’ll find the welcoming, personal atmosphere that is only found at this Upper Peninsula ski resort.