Nub’s Nobs Ski Resort – A Guide to Michigan’s Award-Winning Snow

Skiers on chairlift at Nub's Nob ski resort.

On the northern tip of a state known for its auto industry sits a ski resort. The Nub’s Nobs ski resort is one of Michigan’s premier and largest resorts. Sporting one of the midwest’s highest number of expert runs, Nub’s Nobs can give skiers or riders a chance to push their skills or develop new ones.

First opening in 1959, Nub’s Nobs ski resort has become the standard for snow-making quality and quantity. Throughout the years the resort was awarded several awards for snowmaking and grooming; outcompeting even some of the big mountains in the west. Through several snowgun expansions and even expert-only runs, Nub’s Nobs ski resort has earned its title of the Midwest’s best snow.

Read on to find out everything you need to know to start planning your trip.

Where is Nub’s Nobs Ski Resort Located?

Many people refer to Michigan as America’s mitten and Nub’s Nobs ski hill is located on the very tip of said mitten. Sitting just outside of Harbor Springs, Michigan Nub’s Nobs by 7 miles or roughly 12 minutes by car. If you’re not sure where Harbor Springs is, Nub’s Nobs ski hill is roughly 4 hours north of Detroit or 280 miles by car.

If coming from out of state or Canada, one of the easier options would be to fly into Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and then rent a car from there.

Mountain Stats at Nub’s Nobs Ski Resort:

Trails at Nub's Nob ski resort.
Trails at Nub’s Nob Ski Resort. Photo Credit: Chris Richards (Flickr CC)

Nub’s Nob’s claim to fame is its snowmaking abilities and its extensive range of runs found at the resort. Nub’s Nob is one of the largest ski resorts in the Midwest and its three peaks back up this claim with ease. On this resort, you can find enough runs to satisfy the whole group or family with a great mixture of beginner and expert runs, and a half-pipe and terrain park.

Here is the overview of trails at Nub’s Nob:

  • 58 trails
  • 9 lifts
  • Half-pipe
  • Skiable Area: 248 Acres (1 Km2)
  • Base Elevation: 918 Feet (280 Meters)
  • Tallest Summit: 1322 Feet (403 Meters)
  • Longest Run: ⅞ of a mile (1408 Meters)

Hotels, Lodges, and Condos:

While all the amazing skiing and riding that Nub’s Nob has to offer, they sadly don’t offer any on-mountain lodging. Thankfully, there are several hotels and lodges near Nub’s Nobs. Hotels, Lodges, and Condos can be found both in the nearby towns of Habor Springs and Petoskey both roughly 15-20 minutes by car away. Here are some honorable mentions to start your search for the perfect place.

  • The Highlands at Harbor Springs (Harbor Springs)
  • Colonial Inn (Harbor Springs)
  • Odawa Hotel (Petoskey)
  • Stafford’s Bay View Inn (Petoskey)

Activities for Non-Skier and Snowboarders:

Nub’s Nob ski hill is mainly a ski resort. However, for the people tagging along that are not planning on skiing or riding, there are several different options in the surrounding area. In the areas around both Habor Springs and Petoskey, you can find, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing, and riding snowmobiles just outside of the ski resort.

Is There Night-Skiing?

Yes, there is night-skiing at Nub’s Nob resort on certain days of the week. However, this is subject to change by the resort. Always check with the resort for accurate days and times. Every other day, Nob’s Nub is open from 9 am – 4:30 pm with an hour and a half break to groom the trails for night-skiing, on the days that night skiing is running.

What Kind of Rental and Gear Shops Does Nub’s Nob Ski Resort Have?

Given Nub’s Nob location, chances are most visitors won’t have their own skis or snowboard. They just don’t drive in with it and prefer to rent. The owners of Nub’s Nob know this and come prepared. On the resort, you will find a full-service ski and snowboard shop offering rentals for almost anything you would need.

Be smart and book ahead online for gear rentals at Nub’s Nob.

While it is possible to get a walk-in service, it is recommended to book ahead online. Unfortunately, Nub’s Nob does not have full retail shops to buy your own gear if you feel it’s time to buy your own.

A Deeper Dive Into The Trails at Nub’s Nob Ski Resort:

Superpipe at Nub's Nob ski resort in Michigan
Superpipe at Nub’s Nob Ski Resort. Photo Credit: Chris Richards (Flickr CC)

Nub’s Nob makes the best-groomed trails in the Midwest, plain and simple. Because of this, most trails will be perfect every time you take a lap. The expert and advanced runs can bleed into one another so be aware as you make your way down the hill. The expert-only runs can be found in the tree glades on the upper mountain.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • 248 Acres are split into 58 trails
  • 30% Are Beginner
  • 40% Are Intermediate
  • 13% Are Advanced
  • 16% Are Expert

Does Nub’s Nob Ski Resort Make Their Own Snow?

Nub’s Nob ski hill is famous for its snowmaking coverage and quality. Currently, 97% of the ski hill is covered by snowmaking guns ensuring consistent season-long snow.

Is There Cross-Country Skiing?

Yes, Nub’s Nob offers a variety of different Nordic trails around the downhill ski area. They range from short beginner out and back trails and full expert loops clocking in at close to 10km in length.

Best Time to Go:

Northern Michigan gets cold and stays cold so once Nub’s Nob snowmaking guns build a base, you’ll find consistently high-quality snow. This means that once the resort’s season starts, most times will be the best time to go. However, as with all good things, the holidays will bring out more crowds. Therefore, outside the holidays will have the least amount of people.

Final Words:

All in all, Midwest skiing can be tricky at best, however, Nub’s Nob ski hill aims and delivers to be one of the biggest and best resorts in the Midwest. They make award-winning snow, have all levels of trails for all levels of skill, and the resort sits in a truly beautiful location. If your next ski vacation brings you out to Nub’s Nob, it will be a vacation to remember.

Made the trek up to Nub’s Nob before? Let us know in the comments what your favorite run is!

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