A powdery new year continues at Shanty Creek Resorts, where winter is in full swing. Shanty Creek Resorts is a popular ski resort in Michigan with two main ski areas, Schuss Mountain and Summit Mountain.
Wind
Humidity
As of January 2, 2026, the overnight low dipped to a crisp 10.8°F, preserving a solid 15-inch snowpack—about 81% of the historical average for this time of year. Thanks to cold overnight temps and expert grooming, conditions across the mountain are firm and fast, with packed powder on most trails. Snow lovers can rejoice: 4 inches of fresh snowfall are forecasted in the next 24 hours, with another 5 inches expected over the next five days. This is the perfect setup for a midweek getaway or a long weekend adventure.
The resort has recently completed major improvements to enhance your ski experience, including upgraded lifts and expanded snowmaking capacity. With glowing buzz from recent features in travel and outdoor publications, Shanty Creek is earning its spot among the top ski destinations in the Midwest. Whether you're carving turns on Schuss Mountain or exploring the Nordic trails, there's no better time to hit the slopes. Don’t forget to check out the nearby snow tubing park—a favorite for families and thrill-seekers alike. Bundle up and carve into 2026 with fresh snow and unforgettable runs.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Gaylord 9ssw.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Shanty Creek Resorts.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Shanty Creek Resorts impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
The Shanty Creek Resorts ski resort in Michigan is located in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The resort is situated in the Bellaire area, near the town of Traverse City.
The pertinent mountain ranges and mountain aspects of Shanty Creek Resorts include:
1. Schuss Mountain: This is the main mountain at Shanty Creek Resorts and offers a variety of ski runs for all skill levels. The mountain has a vertical drop of 450 feet and is serviced by several chairlifts.
2. Summit Mountain: This mountain at Shanty Creek Resorts offers more advanced ski runs, with a vertical drop of 450 feet. The mountain also features a terrain park for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.
3. Cedar River Mountain: This mountain at Shanty Creek Resorts is known for its beginner and intermediate ski runs, as well as its scenic views of the surrounding area.
Overall, Shanty Creek Resorts offers a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts in Michigan.
The resort offers a wide variety of ski runs suitable for all levels of skiers, but the best trails are found on Schuss Mountain. An interesting fact about the resort is that it was once a popular destination for mobsters, including Al Capone, who used to visit the area to escape Chicago during the Prohibition era. For beginner skiers, the resort offers a dedicated learning area with a magic carpet lift and gentle slopes. The Ivan's Cafe is a great spot for après ski drinks and relaxation.
Established | 1963 |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Night Skiing | Yes |
Lift Count | 9 Lifts |
Run Count | 55 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, snow showers likely, mainly before 1pm. mostly cloudy, with a high near 16. wind chill values as low as -3. northwest wind around 10 mph. chance of precipitation is 60%. new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Shanty Creek Resorts is expected to receive up to 5.71" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.