What's New at Crystal Mountain, Winter 2014/15

This winter +Crystal Mountain increases its number of downhill slopes to an even 50, clicks off a few more miles of fat tire bike trails and partners with Burton to launch a Learn-to-Ride Center.

Whether it's two wheels or snowshoes, skis or a snowboard there's a little something new for everyone at Crystal Mountain this winter:

NEW! Two New Slopes
Crystal Mountain's slope count will increase to 50 this winter with the addition of Last Call and Jester's Alley. Last Call is a glades run that begins on North Face and meanders toward the front-side slopes. Crews completing a snowmaking upgrade on Main Street and Giggles are also creating a new dedicated beginner terrain park named Jester's Alley.

NEW! Partnership with Burton Snowboards
If you rent a board at Crystal Mountain this winter it will likely be from industry leader and legend Jake Burton. The resort has swapped out nearly its entire fleet of rental boards with those from Burton but that's only the beginning of this partnership.

NEW! Burton Learn-to-Ride Program
Crystal Mountain will be one of only six resorts in the Midwest designated as a Burton Learn-to-Ride Center. These group lessons offer small student-to-teacher ratios with personal attention and combine it with the latest Burton snowboards, boots and bindings specifically designed to help riders progress. The new fleet of boards from Burton feature beveled bases for easy steering and stopping that build confidence to assist riders' advance their skills.

NEW! Burton Riglet Park & Terrain Based Learning
Young, aspiring snowboarders will get a positive introduction to the sport within the new Burton Riglet Park (open weekends). This is flatland training in which students are pulled by an instructor using a Riglet Reel to build confidence and provide a feel for what it means to ride different features. Within Totem Park Learning Area and on select runs like Kaye Blue (intermediate run), Crystal Mountain's grooming crews will maintain Terrain Based Learning features including gentle rollers and banks that naturally help beginners more easily control speed and engage turns.

NEW! Tank Line in Tuck's Terrain Park
Crystal's terrain park design philosophy of lower and longer features will be most noticeable in Tuck's this winter on the Tank Line. These modified and repurposed propane tanks will welcome new riders while challenging experienced boarders and freestyle skiers to hit every feature in one clean, continuous line.

NEW! More Fat Tire Bike Trails
Fat Tire Biking is one of the fastest growing and most popular off-slope activities at the resort. Five 2014 Fuji Wendigo bikes have been added to the rental fleet. Crystal will also open an additional three miles of groomed trails as well as some single tracks exclusive to fat bikes. As a result of the trail expansion, the Einstein Cycles Fat Chance Race (January 4) will be run on a new nine mile loop.

NEW! Exclusive Snowshoe Trails in Michigan Legacy Art Park
Michigan Legacy Art Park will dedicate most of its trails to snowshoeing this winter. Over a mile of trail offers the chance to view and contemplate 47 outdoor sculptures but blazing a path through the deep snow that collects on these rolling hills is what provides a true snowshoe experience. While most of Art Park will be exclusive to snowshoers, a portion of Flying Squirrel will continue to allow access to cross-country skiers.

NEW! Adding Some Edge to the Winter Adventure
Thousands tested themselves on the rickety bridge, swings, Burma bridge and zip line of Crystal Mountain's new ropes course this summer. Elements provided by Old Man Winter will add a new challenge on the Edge Adventure Course, two stories above the Park at Water's Edge. Open Saturdays, holidays and available to reserve for private groups.

NEW! A couple more perks for passholders
Those purchasing a 2014/15 Crystal Mountain Season Pass can receive a 20% discount on lodging and lift tickets at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah (plus $50 dining certificate) and free skiing or snowboarding at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming when booking a stay of two nights or more.

Provided the weather cooperates, Crystal Mountain targets November 27 (Thanksgiving Day) to open the slopes. Once the resort ramps up to regular season hours (visit the Snow Report at crystalmountain.com/snow for updates) chairlifts will be open daily with night-skiing available Wednesday through Sunday and all week during the December (December 22-January 4) and February (February16-22) breaks.