By Staff
CLARKSTON – Ski areas across the state have teamed up with Michigan McDonald's restaurants to offer a popular and very affordable introduction to the sport of skiing and snowboarding, called Discover Michigan Skiing.
The program, which has run every January for the past 15 years, includes a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass. Twenty-four ski facilities are offering the package, which will be honored from Jan. 5 through Jan. 31, 2009. The price for the Discover Michigan Skiing program – downhill or cross-country skiing – is $30 for adults and $25 for children seven to 14 years old. The snowboard price is $40, for everyone 10 years and older.
The lesson normally covers basic maneuvering on skis or snowboards, including stopping, turning, riding the lifts, and getting up from a fall.
To sign up, interested beginners must have a Discover Michigan Skiing Value Voucher. They are available at participating Michigan McDonald's restaurants and MSIA retail ski stores while quantities last.
A printable voucher is also available online at www.go-skimichigan.com. The voucher lists all ski facilities offering the program.
Participants choose the place they wish to visit and then must call to pre-register. Ski facility personnel will give instructions on what to wear and where to meet.
Program times differ from ski area to ski area and skiers must call for reservations. Steve Kershner, MSIA chairman and director of skiing for Shanty Creek in Bellaire, suggests calling as early as possible, since lesson times fill quickly.
As a special bonus, everyone who completes the program will receive a packet of ski information in the mail, including a coupon valid for $20 off the purchase of $100 or more in ski-related merchandise at participating MSIA retail ski shops.
Participating ski areas include: Apple Mountain in Freeland; Big Powderhorn in Bessemer; Bittersweet in Otsego; Boyne Highlands of Harbor Springs; Boyne Mountain of Boyne Falls; Caberfae Peaks of Cadillac; Cross Country Ski Headquarters of Roscommon; Hanson Hills of Grayling; Marquette Mountain of Marquette; Mont Ripley in Houghton; Mt. Brighton of Brighton; Mt. Holiday of Traverse City; Mt. Holly in Holly; Mt Zion in Ironwood; Norway Mountain in Norway; Nubs Nob in Harbor Springs; Pine Knob in Clarkston; Pine Mountain of Iron Mountain; Shanty Creek of Bellaire; Ski Brule in Iron River; Swiss Valley Ski Area of Jones; The Homestead of Glen Arbor; Timber Ridge Ski Area of Gobles; and Treetops Resort of Gaylord.
For more information, go to www.goskimichigan.com and click on Discover Michigan Skiing-or call MSIA at (248) 620-4448.