Crystal Mountain

This review is for crystal mountain banquet services. We recently celebrated my parent’s 50^th anniversary at crystal mountain. Crystal Mountain under-​delivered on every level. Service staff was abrasive and unfriendly. The manager Stefanie has no business working in the service industry. She was dismissive of our concerns and downright combative. The food was truly awful. Several family members ordered «steak». They were served a beef stew that had a few pieces of very salty pot roast. The walleye was fishy and extremely dry. We have had previous experience with Arcadia Bluffs and it was top notch. There are much better options than crystal when planning your family’s special event.

I think one of the best Midwest Ski Resorts; with many different slope options. This is not Mountain skiing; but still challenging and fun. Family friendly, all workers are helpful and greet you with a smile. The ski shop is reasonably priced and the little store you can stock up with the essentials (good Michigan wines). Many fire pits to enjoy after a day in the slopes. In early spring you can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.

We went to Crystal mountain for the Valentine weekend, Thursday to Sunday. We rented one of the Pinehurst studios which can accommodate 2 people. This resort is quite big and they have whole variety of different sizes of buildings. The check in was fast and the people are very nice up there. You can really feel welcomed by the staff. If you are a guest you get a pass for gym, pool and outside spa. We have only used gym and pool (it has hot tub inside as well), however we walked to see how outside hot tub looks – you need to check in with the pass and they have changing rooms right there. The room was nice, a little bit of a rustic style, definitely met our expectations. The most important thing it had a jacuzzi bathtub in the bathroom. When it comes to the slopes Crystal Mountain has wide variety of runs and you can also ski on the other side of a mountain and there is quite a lot of glades to have fun through the forest. There are four chair lifts but only 3 were open as it were not that many people to run all of them I guess. We were lucky because they got pounded with fresh snow for couple of days so there was no need for snow making. The runs are not super long but tho whole mountain gives you enough to have fun no matter if you are a beginner or intermediate skier. There are couple option to eat:
1. Cafeteria downstairs where you take the tray and can load prepared food and drinks with you-can‘t say much as we did not use it.
2. Downstairs there is Wild Tomato for breakfast which is pretty decent but not great.
Also on the same level there is a place where you can order pizza (very tasty), subs, wings, etc.
3. Down the road there is Thistle Pub where you sit and order A La Carte. We had some hamburgers and for one dinner we took duck breasts. Well made and hit the spot :)
4. Bar – drinks, beer and live music on weekends, best rated.
The resort has very nice Spa for which you get $ 50 credit as a guest but I advice you get an appt before hand. We tried schedule an appt but they were completely booked already. The whole resort is very modern and it gives you a little bit touch of Colorado. They are expending the place for the future with new accommodations, restaurant and roof top terrace. I recommend that place for skiing in Michigan. By the way it is located roughly 45 minutes away from Traverse City so you can jump to the car and have fun there.

Everything exceeded expectations!
We stayed in a friend’s house on the Crystal Mountain resort. It was about a 6 – 8 minute drive to the slopes and spa. We went for a long weekend and our group split up so half could ski/​snowboard and the other half enjoyed a full day at the spa.
Crystal Spa called my name. I signed up for the Winter Warm Up massage with Tami and it was SPECTACULAR. Tami did an amazing job and I felt very informed from the moment we got to the spa. We were showed around, received a locker (electronic code), slippers, and a very nice robe. A lot of the spa services grant you full access to the spa for the entire day (they close at 8pm). We spent time in the sauna, steam room, and outdoor hot tub. There is a relaxing room with 5 different types of tea and all different kinds of small snacks. The customer service was really astounding. I will definitely come back to the spa. Pricing was reasonable as well.
We ate at the Thistle Pub & Grill on Friday night. The hostess was pretty bad. She was rude on the phone and had us waiting for 15 minutes while we watched 3 tables that could fit our group free up but no one came to bus them.
The FOOD was amazing, and our server, Eric was very helpful. Everything was 5 stars minus the hostess. I can’t wait to try out Crystal Mountain in the summer.
a 40 minute drive gets you to 10+ wineries in the area and they are SO reasonably priced!

Such a drive but so worth it. This is where I learned to snowboard, and the tips and tricks I learned were well worth it. The boards were good quality rentals and easy to learn on from what I’ve seen at a few other places.
Staff is friendly, looking back I acted like an idiot when I rented my board, but the guy was patient. He could have just let me have my way but he explained to me his way and made sure I would be able to ride comfortably and told me to come back if I was not happy. I was happy. The instructor was super helpful and patient as well and kept the class entertained. My parents also learned to ski, and the same goes for their instructor. If you want to learn, this is the place to do it.
The mountain is one of the best that I’ve seen in the Midwest. There are so many trails to choose from with varying difficulty levels, and a terrain park. The lifts are quick, and it actually didn’t get too crowded for a Saturday. The cabins were also spacious and comfortable.
This place is worth every penny.

We’ve stayed here about 8 times. There are no bad (or inexpensive) accommodations. Kinlochen is our favorite when we come with family. Ski in and out, beautiful and huge with full furnished kitchens. The price is not cheap and hard for a family to go often, but if money isn’t an issue, its a lovely place.

Liked the family friendly atmosphere. Stayed in Crystal Colony. Room clean and close to main attractions, but vestibule and sitting area had strong moldy odor. Wild Tomato restaurant is great for breakfast, buffet was a big hit w kids but do not eat dinner there you will leave hungry. The dinner portions are ridiculously small and they never refilled our drinks. Kinlochen restaurant for dinner was excellent and super professional service, good food. Junior golfers prices were great for my boys. Water park is geared for very young kids, not anything there for older kids. Ropes course and zip line a great hit w older kids. Indoor pool uses too much chlorine it literally burns your eyes walking in there, makes you sneeze a lot. Is close to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes and Frankfurt, MI. We will be back sometime. Very family friendly place! Kids loved it!

My friends and I loved this place! Although it’s a ski resort, during the summer, they transform into a summer paradise. There are lots of activities to do on the resort and within a mile from the resort. The housing on the mountain top had great views and was very clean when we moved in. Services were great, employees were friendly, and the environment is very upbeat. I will come back for the winter trip in December!

Stayed here 2 nights during the summer and the only regret is that we didn’t have more time to spend. Great space, great amenities, great selection of activities offered, great restaurants. We were in one of the Pinehurst studios and found the space to be plenty adequate for a short stay. It is very similar to a single bed chain hotel room but with great vaulted ceilings and a private balcony. We ate on-​site at the restaurant in the Kinlochen both nights and loved the food. The only complaint is the poor hosting at that restaurant. No one is ever at the host station and there are 2 or 3 people doing the host duties who just walk around confused with some form in their hand.

Let’s start with the positives. The golf (I’ve only played one of the two courses so far) was exceptional and the entire resort is absolutely beautiful. The employees, were phenomenal. They were all very concerned about my experience and really didn’t deserve the attitude I gave them. Management decisions, however, make me wonder precisely where their priorities are.
We got done playing golf and wanted to experience some of the other resort amenities they had to offer. It was sprinkling when we went it to the alpine slide so they told us we could not ride. But we went back an hour later (it literally only sprinkled less than five minutes) and they told us it was still closed for the evening. Fair enough, I disagree with their assessment, but it’s their call.
Then we decided to go to the INDOOR pool. The INDOOR pool was closed due to forecasted inclement weather. It was painfully obvious that all this resort cared about was cutting their employee’s hours by denying us the services that we paid for. Once they get your money, they n longer care about your experience.
When I first arrived, I couldn’t stop thinking about my next visit. By. The time I left, I was certain a «next visit» would not occur.

The bad:
Wanted to give it more stars but our room was really 2 stars. The photos and reviews talked about the Hamlet being recently renovated. Our room had a bad chemical and damp odor and the bathroom was in major need of repair/​renovation and very dated — caulk was coming apart everywhere and was black in many areas. Wonder how it looked prior to their recent renovation! The description for our specific reservation said 2 queen beds but one was actually a murphy bed. The kitchenette area was also dated. And if you are staying at the Hamlet when there is an outdoor wedding, be prepared for very loud music — unfortunately for us it was BAD music! Willing to give it another chance but will not stay at the Hamlet. The Hamlet really felt substandard for the price and being a resort.
The good:
The outdoor pool, Alpine slide, and Edge Adventure course are great for kids 12 and under. They have ski lockers. The exteriors of the cottages and the grounds look very nice.

After making reservations for myself and twin sons for a very significant birthday occasion, I told a close friend who now lives on the west coast but grew up in Michigan, that I was going to Crystal Mtn. His response: «It’s the best ski resort in Michigan bar none. You’re going to love it.» After spending 3 or 4 nights there, I agree, this place is beautifully designed for skiers, snowboarders, and fun-​loving people who want a semi-​exclusive and high-​quality winter getaway.
Everything you want is literally onsite: ski shop, fitness center, restaurants & bars, all very competently staffed. There is an excellent indoor swimming pool, and a full service spa on the property as well. I really have nothing but great things to say about this resort, and the kids loved the slopes. Having ski’d everywhere from Colorado to West Virginia, and to have them be completely satisfied, is saying something.
We stayed in an owner’s condo that they upgraded us to at no additional charge (from 1 BR to 2 BR), and it had just about every creature comfort we could want other than a hot tub out the back door. Many of the units have fireplaces, which was our case; full kitchens, well equipped. What an excellent vacation spot for real winter fun, all in a secluded NW Michigan enclave.

Whistler it is not. But for what it is — skiing in the Midwest — Crystal Mountain is quite a gem.
I grew up skiing around the Pacific Northwest (got some family in Vancouver), but have never personally lived anywhere close to good ski mountains, so I hit the slopes pretty sporadically. This winter I had skiing on the brain and was determined to make it out at least once, but I’ve been living in Chicago for going on five years now and have heard all of the nightmare stories about Midwest skiing. Crystal Mountain looked like the best bet based on reviews online, and it’s about a five-​hour drive away, which is about the longest trip I could fit into a weekend without taking any days off. So far, so good.
We bought lift tickets and rental ahead of time online — it’s much cheaper if you do it that way — and arrived on Saturday morning before the slopes opened, hoping to beat the lines. The ticket window and rental equipment center opens half an hour before the slopes do, so I highly recommend getting there sometime during that half hour period. We barely waited at all to pick up tickets or our rental equipment, but by the time we were walking out of there to head to the lifts, I could see long lines at the ticket windows. The whole process was very well run and efficient — we went straight from getting our lift tickets to picking up boots to getting skis and poles. All of the staff members we worked with seemed to know what they were doing, and everyone was very nice.
Once we actually got onto the mountain, it was off to Totem Park, their beginner/​bunny hill area — I’ve been skiing most of my life, but my boyfriend was a first-​timer. (This trip convinced me that if I ever have kids, I will be sending them to ski classes at a young age — I learned as a kid, and it was way easier to do it then than it is as an adult.) Totem Park is blocked off from the rest of the slopes, which is great for beginners because it means pretty much everyone there is either a beginner or an instructor, so no one is tearing down the slope at 60mph. The lifts in that area are also carpet lifts (as opposed to chair lifts), which are basically uphill conveyor belts and easier to use for a first-​timer. We spent an hour or so there helping him get the basics down before moving to the actual slopes, where we spent the rest of the day. Overall well-​groomed and not super crowded, even though it was a Saturday and conditions were pretty much perfect (mid 20s, plenty of snowfall during the week, partly cloudy). The trails started getting more carved out and bumpy toward the end of the day, but not bad. They have something like 50 slopes and six chair lifts, and the slopes are a good mix of green/​blue/​black difficulty levels as well as terrain parks and glades, so there’s something for everyone.
Oh, and before I forget — the food was decent and not crazy expensive! We went to their pizza/​sub shop for lunch. Reminded me a bit of Subway, similar prices, but the food was better!
Overall, I really enjoyed my trip here and am super sad that it’ll probably be a while before I can make it back (especially since the ski season is almost over), but I’m determined to eventually. Highly recommend Crystal Mountain for skiing in the Midwest — it definitely exceeded my expectations.

This place is great. Went with family for a day and what I found was that — the ski slopes are nicely groomed (even though I didn’t use many of them, I could tell); the service is fantastic (got the rental agreement signed, and onto the slopes within 15 minutes); and the slopes are not crowded. Reasonable prices too. A few nits — a couple of the instructors are less than diligent with their wards; the eating areas are really crowded and untidy. I’d come back here.

Love skiing here! Not matter the month it never seems to be packed.
The slopes are nicely groomed, the instructors teach great classes, and the runs are nice and long.
Don’t tell your friends about this gem. haha!

We enjoyed our time there as a family. Our dogs even joined us on this trip. They had a little of everything. Spa, outdoor water playground, indoor pool, activities, mountain slide, biking. Sleeping bear dunes was also close by. You need to check out the park if you are there and take the pierce stocking scenic route. Also, dog friendly. Definitely would go there again.

Family friendly! Excellent lunch at the Thistle, creative menu. Sampled the Watermelon Goat cheese app. was fantastic. Kobe burger with local cheddar and mushroom very good. Also family with younger children you do not want to sit to long! Our meals were out quickly which truly helped.
PS. Check out the new zip line course near the pool.

Crystal is a great family destination. It doesn’t matter what time of year there is plenty to see and do for the whole family. We’ve been skiing and golfing here for over 30 years, and they continue to upgrade and add new amenities, like the spa. It’s small but amazing!!! The rooms range from a hotel style studio to 5 bedroom fully furnished condos. The mountain cottages are simply stunning and amazing to stay in. The water park in the summer is a huge favorite of the kids. The golf is challenging and beautiful scenery.

This is one of our favorite Michigan ski resorts. I feel like it has the most fun runs, where we find ourselves saying, «Let’s do that one again!» My husband can do every run here quite well, whereas I’m queen of the blues. I find the greens to be very easy and slow, perfect for beginners and those that like to cruise. There are plenty of greens, blues, and blacks – sure to please everyone!
The slopeside bar is a lot of fun. It has a great view, good beer selection, and awesome sirloin chili. The resort has several dining options. We just ate at the cafeteria for the first time and got burritos from the Mexican bar. They were kind of like burritos I would get from Qdoba or Chipotle and were reasonably priced.
Their lodging accommodations are top-​notch. They are spacious, clean and fresh, and well-​appointed. Their guest service is unbelievably friendly and welcoming. They’re not the most reasonable, but you are getting what you pay for and staying here is a real treat. I don’t love that there is only one outdoor hot tub and indoor pool for the entire resort and isn’t connected to any lodging. Maybe that’s not a big deal in the summer, but in the winter – whoa that’s a cold walk back to your room. The phallic-​shaped hot tub doesn’t allow alcohol. While family-​friendly, it’s kind of a bummer. They have a large number of activities for those that don’t downhill ski or golf. It’s like they have a personal mission to make sure everyone in your group has a fun time.
Crystal Mountain is a classy, fun resort. You will have a great time here!

This is a ski season review that includes Hamlet Hotel and several of the other properties at the resort one can visit.
First off I know we got super lucky this year as we went in late February, when you don’t know how much snow will be left on the slopes. This particular winter of 2011 was the 2^nd biggest Feb snowfall (at least in the Detroit area) in the last 100 years or so. When we were there 100% of the slopes were open and there was also plenty of snow between the trees for some alpine fun here and there. Even on the busy weekend Saturday crowd the lift lines moved quickly and we had no complaints. Each section of the hill — the main face, ridge, and north face all offer at least 1 green beginner run and lots of blue intermediate runs. In addition their bunny hill (Totem Park) is completely separated from the rest of the ski area so there’s no worries for newbies mixing with the speed demons. Boarders might be upset at the lack of terrain park features. We ski!
The Hamlet Hotel was more than I expected. Most rooms have a partial view of the slopes because of the unique way the rooms are designed. This was our first time visiting, so a little tip I can offer is that you check in at the building called «Inn at the Mountain», just look for those words on the awning. After that you get a parking pass that lets you park right next to the hotel. Nice! What is even better is just outside the rooms is a set of outdoor lockers where your key card to your hotel room works. This is the perfect place to store your skis and poles when you’re done skiing. Other features I liked were the flat screen TVs, DVD players in every room (DVD rentals available at the Park at Water’s Edge), and a two person jetted tub in every room.
From the Hamlet Hotel location you have about a 20 second walk to the small ice rink, the slopes, or the Lodge which has the Wild Tomato restaurant, the Little Betsie Bistro & Grocery, Cappuccino Bar, Mountain Sports ski shop, and Vista Lounge/​bar. The Little Betsie serves up carry out subs, pizza, salads, wings, etc… in that same room is the grocery which is about 2 aisles but has the essential things you might have forgotten to pack and some other things like bread, eggs, beer, wine, hangover meds, etc :-)
The outdoor hot tub, located at the Park at Water’s Edge is a bit disappointing but can hit the spot depending what you are looking for. On one hand we found the tub to be over chlorinated, did not have sight of the slopes, and they do not allow any drinks of any kind. The nice part was it was shaped kind of like a clover leaf so there were 3 separate sections of the tub so small groups felt like they had a private area of their own. The tub holds about 20 people if packed. The tub is free to guests at the resort. There’s another smaller hot tub indoors located at the Fitness center but we didn’t try that one.
We ate at the Wild Tomato with a total group of six. We felt disappointed maybe because of the name, there was nothing wild about it. The atmosphere was way too stuffy. Quiet music, no TVs, a separate waitress and then guy who comes out and pours your beer into a glass. For me, leave it in the bottle, I’m fine! I guess if you want more formal this would be the place… however there were plenty of kids in this place so that part made it feel not so formal.
On the other hand is the Thistle Pub & Grille. Their description of the food and atmosphere make it sound stuffy (like reservations recommended) however we found that to not be the case. We had a lot of fun there and if there’s one thing to order there it’s called ??? which consists of a large say 8“x5″ rock that gets set on fire at your table, and it comes with raw meat. You cook the raw meat yourself at the table on the rock. That’s pretty cool all by itself!
Picnic park for the brown bagger /​day skiers is nice. While a bit small there is a cooler corral area that helps prevent the typical squatters that leave their stuff all over the tables when you visit other places with rooms like this. Good idea. They also serve tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and soups here to warm up from the cold.
The Vista Lounge… while a perfect location the entertainment was not. We listened for a while to the Jason & Nick band. They were acoustic and don’t get me wrong, it was good musical talent and decent voices, but their song selection was old (60s, 70s) and not all that upbeat. After a long day of skiing I need some pep in the tunes or I’m off to bed.
As for the overall feel it was very nice. There were evergreens still decorated with Christmas lights in around the resort and many of the shrubs on property decorated too. There are a number of small cottage style rentals near Hamlet and it had a feel of being in a nice cozy resort town. This was an even better job than Boyne Mountain and way, way better than Caberfae, both in short driving distance from Crystal.