Bellaire is one of the best bases for skiing in northern Michigan. Schuss Mountain is five minutes from town, Boyne Mountain is about 30 miles away, and the big Harbor Springs resorts, Crystal Mountain and Caberfae are all reachable for a day trip. Stay in one place and ski a different hill every day.
Ski resorts near Bellaire at a glance
| Resort | Location | Distance from Bellaire | Trails | Vertical | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schuss Mountain | Bellaire | About 5 minutes | 42 | About 450 ft | Families, night skiing, no driving |
| Boyne Mountain | Boyne Falls | About 30 miles | About 65 | About 500 ft | Big-resort variety, indoor waterpark |
| The Highlands | Harbor Springs | About 60 miles | About 55 | About 550 ft | The most terrain in the Lower Peninsula |
| Nub's Nob | Harbor Springs | About 60 miles | About 53 | About 425 ft | Grooming, a classic local feel |
| Crystal Mountain | Thompsonville | About 70 miles | About 59 | About 375 ft | A full resort weekend |
| Caberfae Peaks | Cadillac | About 85 miles | About 30 | About 430–485 ft | Shanty Creek pass discount |
| Mt. Holiday | Traverse City | About 30 miles | About 12 | About 200 ft | Beginners, a quick evening session |
Distances are road miles from downtown Bellaire. Northern Michigan roads are mostly two-lane and winter driving is slower, so allow extra time. Trail counts and vertical drop vary by source and season, so treat them as approximate and check each resort's site for current numbers.
Schuss Mountain (Bellaire)
Your home hill. Schuss, part of Shanty Creek Resorts, has 42 trails, 7 lifts and 2 terrain parks, with night skiing Wednesday through Saturday. Kids 8 and under ski for $10 all season. For 2026–27, daily skiing is projected to start December 17. Staying near Schuss means you can ski first chair, come back for lunch, and go out again for night skiing.
Full details are in our Schuss Mountain ski guide.
Boyne Mountain (Boyne Falls)
The closest big resort, about 30 miles northeast of Bellaire. Boyne Mountain has roughly 65 trails across about 415 skiable acres, around 500 feet of vertical, and a modern lift network that includes high-speed six- and eight-person chairs. It also has several terrain parks and tubing lanes.
What sets it apart for families is Avalanche Bay, Michigan's largest indoor waterpark, right at the resort. It's a great plan for a day when the kids are done skiing or the weather turns.
Passes: Boyne Mountain is a Boyne Resorts property on the Ikon Pass, and the Boyne Michigan Pass covers both Boyne Mountain and The Highlands.
The Highlands (Harbor Springs)
About 60 miles north of Bellaire, The Highlands (formerly Boyne Highlands) claims the most skiable terrain in Michigan's Lower Peninsula: about 55 trails over roughly 435 acres, with around 550 feet of vertical. Its signature lift is Camelot 6, a heated six-person bubble chair. Average snowfall is higher here than further south, often 125 inches or more a season.
Passes: on the Ikon Pass, and included in the Boyne Michigan Pass with Boyne Mountain.
Nub's Nob (Harbor Springs)
Right next door to The Highlands, Nub's Nob is an independent, family-run area known for excellent grooming and a loyal local following. It has about 53 trails on roughly 250 acres, around 425 feet of vertical, and about 10 lifts. Its projected 2026–27 season runs from early December into early April.
Passes: Nub's Nob joined the Indy Pass in 2022–23, with blackout dates on holidays and peak weekends. Check Indy Pass for this season's terms.
Because The Highlands and Nub's Nob are so close together, they make one easy day trip. Ski one in the morning and the other after lunch if your passes allow.
Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville)
About 70 miles southwest of Bellaire, near Thompsonville in Benzie County. Crystal Mountain is a full four-season resort with about 59 trails, 8 lifts and around 375 feet of vertical, plus night skiing on select evenings. Its projected 2026–27 season runs from late November into early April. It's a long day trip from Bellaire, so it works best as part of a longer stay.
Caberfae Peaks (Cadillac)
About 85 miles south, west of Cadillac. Caberfae is one of the oldest ski areas in the Midwest, open since 1937, with around 30 trails, about 430 to 485 feet of vertical, and cross-country trails too. It's the furthest hill on this list, but there's a good reason to know it: Shanty Creek SuperPass holders get discounted lift tickets at Caberfae.
Mt. Holiday (Traverse City)
About 30 miles southwest, on the edge of Traverse City. Mt. Holiday is a community nonprofit ski area founded in 1949, with about 12 runs, 4 lifts and around 200 feet of vertical. It's small, inexpensive and friendly, a good spot for beginners or a short session if you're in Traverse City for the day.
A three-hill ski weekend from Bellaire
Base yourself in Bellaire and you can ski three very different hills without packing up once:
- Day 1, Schuss Mountain: ski close to home, then night ski until 9pm (Wednesday through Saturday) and finish in the hot tub.
- Day 2, Boyne Mountain: drive about 30 miles for the bigger resort. Families can split the day between the slopes and Avalanche Bay.
- Day 3, The Highlands or Nub's Nob: head north to Harbor Springs for the most terrain in the Lower Peninsula, then drive back for dinner in Bellaire.
If you hold an Ikon Pass, Boyne Mountain and The Highlands are both on it. If you hold an Indy Pass, Nub's Nob is your Harbor Springs pick.
Where to stay
Our homes near Schuss Mountain put you five minutes from your home hill and within day-trip range of every resort on this list. Each one has a hot tub for après, plus ski storage and room to dry gear.
Northwoods Treehaus
A 1960s A-frame in the pines at Schuss Mountain Resort, with three kings, a stone fireplace, a bunk room with arcade and a treetop hot tub.
Check dates and book direct →
Alm Haus
A renovated Northwoods chalet 5 minutes from Schuss Mountain, with a hot tub under the pines, triple-queen bunk room, game room and stargazing dome.
Check dates and book direct →
Overlook Bellaire
A 2021 modern home on 10 private acres above Bellaire, looking out over Intermediate Lake. Sauna, cold plunge, hot tub and a game room.
Check dates and book direct →Frequently asked questions
What is the closest ski resort to Bellaire, Michigan?
Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resorts, about five minutes from downtown Bellaire.
How far is Boyne Mountain from Bellaire?
About 30 road miles, northeast of Bellaire in Boyne Falls. Allow extra time in winter weather.
Can you stay in Bellaire and ski Boyne?
Yes. Many skiers base in Bellaire, ski Schuss Mountain close to home, and day-trip to Boyne Mountain, The Highlands and Nub's Nob.
Which ski resorts near Bellaire are on the Ikon Pass?
Boyne Mountain and The Highlands, both Boyne Resorts properties.
Which ski resorts near Bellaire are on the Indy Pass?
Nub's Nob is on the Indy Pass, with blackout dates. Shanty Creek also offers the Indy Pass as an add-on to its season pass.
What is the biggest ski resort in the Lower Peninsula?
The Highlands in Harbor Springs bills itself as having the most skiable terrain in the Lower Peninsula.
Sources
Schuss Mountain details from Shanty Creek Resorts (2026–27). Boyne Mountain and The Highlands details from Boyne Resorts and The Highlands. Nub's Nob, Crystal Mountain, Caberfae Peaks and Mt. Holiday figures from OnTheSnow, Wikipedia and Indy Pass coverage. Road distances measured from downtown Bellaire. Checked October 2026. Resort statistics vary by source and season.