Why après-ski time is perfect for unwinding

Après-ski, which translates to "after ski" in French, is the social and leisure time spent after a day skiing. Originating in the Alps, this tradition has become a cherished part of ski culture worldwide. It’s not just about skiing — it’s about winding down with good food, warm fires and camaraderie.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula fully embraces the après-ski culture. As the birthplace of organized skiing in the United States, we can’t get enough adrenaline coursing through our veins on our powdery hills and mountains. But by late afternoon, you are ready to kick back, share stories with friends — new and old — and rejuvenate for more ski or snowboarding adventures tomorrow. This guide will make it easier to vary how you relax each evening.

 

Top Ski Destinations and Their Après-Ski Offerings

1. Mount Zion | Ironwood

This fun family destination is on Gogebic Community College's (GCC) campus. Open to the public, it's the oldest winter recreation complex in Big Snow Country — and one of the most affordable. Its 10 slopes and trails are popular with downhill and snowboard enthusiasts and include a 300-foot vertical and power-tilled slope.

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Re-energize in the snack bar.
  • See local scenery on the cross-country ski trail.
  • Play in the snow tubing park.
  • Go fat tire biking on area trails.
  • Ice skate at Pat O'Donnell Civic Center.
  • Catch a show or tour at the historic Ironwood Theater.
  • Visit the Old Depot Museum.
  • See the Hiawatha statue.
  • Enjoy conversations and meals at Cold Iron Brewing, Joe’s Pasty Shop and Elk & Hound Restaurant.

Unwind in Downtown Ironwood

 

2. Big Powderhorn Mountain | Bessemer

This family-friendly resort boasts 33 runs and two exciting terrain parks. Hailed as one of the best ski resorts in the Midwest!

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Find your favorites and new tastes at Caribou Restaurant & Bar, Hideout Bar & Grill, Gun Barrel Cafeteria and Coffee Shop and Powderhorn Gifts & Brews.
  • Go snowmobiling (rentals available at Cloverland Motorsports)
  • Cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat tire bike on the Wolverine Trail.
  • Drive along Black River National Scenic Byway and be awed by frozen waterfalls.

More Bessemer Fun

3. Snowriver Mountain Resort | Wakefield

One ticket gives you two mountains of fun! Its legendary Big Snow Country powder covers 77 runs including 19 expansive tree skiing glades. There are snowboarding terrains for all levels. Jackson Creek recently installed the fastest chairlift in the U.P. — three minutes from the mountain base to the top!

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Jackson Creek Chalet features the Sky Bar with beautiful views, cocktails, a large selection of beers and pub-style fare. Upstairs the cafeteria offers sit-down and grab-and-go choices that will please the whole family.
  • Listen to live music during the Jagermeister Concert Series at Black River Basin and solo performances at Dudley’s and Jack’s Bar & Grille. 
  • Snowshoe, skate or classic cross-country ski and go skijoring at Active Backwoods Retreat Trails (ABR) along the Montreal River.
  • De-stress at the Finnish wood-fired sauna on the ABR Trails.
  • Go snowmobiling (rentals available at Cloverland Motorsports, Ironwood).
  • See Nawadaha Falls, Presque Isle River.
  • Shop, dine and enjoy drinks in downtown Ironwood.

Visit Wakefield

 

4. Porcupine Mountain Winter Sports Complex | Ontonagon

Within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, this resort is a favorite for its backcountry skiing and breathtaking views of Lake Superior. 

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Enjoy a variety of cafeteria-style favorites at Fireside Grill, including burgers, brats, hot dogs, French fries, cheese curds, hearty chili, comforting soups and more. After your meal, get cozy by the fireplace with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or freshly brewed coffee. You may bring in meals or snacks, too.
  • Cross-country ski, snowshoe or fat tire bike along 20 miles of designated trails. Downhill ski equipment, snowboards and snowshoe rentals are available at the ski shop.
  • Try Sno-Go biking; check the Porkies website for rental availability.
  • Snowmobile to Lake of the Clouds or along miles of scenic trails.
  • Sled, ice skate, snowboard or downhill ski at Adventure Mountain Sports Arena & Ski Hill near Greenland.
  • Visit Paulding Mystery Light
  • Explore wow-worthy winter waterfalls: Manabezho Falls,  Bond Falls and Manido Falls.

Discover the Porcupine Mountains

5. Mont Ripley Ski Area | Houghton

Ready for a true Alpine experience in one of the country’s snowiest communities? Owned by Michigan Tech University, it’s the oldest ski area in Michigan. It features 25 ski runs and Michigan’s largest terrain park with exhilarating big air jumps for boarders. If you like a college town vibe, you will love this choice. 

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Hurtle down the hill at the Tubing Park.
  • Ice skate at Dee Stadium, Laurn Grove Ice Rink or Baltic Ice Arena.
  • Meet up with friends and family for food and libations at the Keweenaw Brewing Company, Sheldon Grill & Franklin Square Tap, Library Restaurant & Brew Pub or Pizzaworks.
  • See fascinating exhibits at the A.E. Seaman Mineralogical Museum and Dee Stadium Hockey History Museum.
  • Plan your trip around Houghton’s fun-every-minute festivals: Heikinpaiva in January and Winter Carnival in February.

Downtown Houghton Walking Map

 

6. Mount Bohemia Resort | Lac La Belle

This ski destination at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula is NOT for the faint-hearted. Catering to expert skiers, it offers extreme backcountry and snowcat-skiing terrains for downhillers and snowboarders alike. Get ready to live!

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Relive your day with friends at the resort’s Pizza Cabana, Log Cabin Bar, Espresso Coffee Bar, Main Yurt/Cafeteria (breakfast and lunch) or North Pole Bar & Restaurant (perfect for cocktails or beer).
  • The Nordic Spa includes an outdoor pool and hot tub, a eucalyptus steam cabin, a cold plunge pool, an herbal sauna, a Himalayan salt sauna and a Finnish sauna with a panoramic view. 
  • Snowshoe and cross-country ski on the resort’s trails.
  • Stargaze or watch the Northern Lights (when atmospheric conditions are right) along the Lake Superior coast. You can reach the Keweenaw International Dark Sky Park in just minutes. It’s spellbinding!

Keweenaw County’s Winter Wonderland

7. Marquette Mountain | Marquette

Just minutes from downtown Marquette, this resort combines skiing with city amenities. Match your ski level on 25 runs that offer downhill skiing, snowboarding and night skiing. 

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Meet family and friends off the slopes at the resort’s T-Bar Bar & Grill or Iron Moose Grill.
  • Go downtown to delight your tastebuds. Some choices include Blackrocks Brewery, Aubree’s Pizza & Grill, Bodega, The Honorable Distillery, La Catrina Cocina Mexicana, Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery or Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub.
  • Cross-country ski or fat tire bike the Noquemanon Trail Network.
  • Snowshoe in Presque Isle Park.
  • Ice skate outdoors at Marquette Commons.
  • Register for two-horse sleigh rides at the Up North Lodge in nearby Gwinn — enjoy delicious food and drinks, too!
  • Play with your kids at the children’s museum.
  • Embrace winter full bore at Marquette’s annual winter festivals: January — Ice Races in Gwinn, Ishpeming Ski Jumping Tournament in the Suicide Hill Bowl in Negaunee, Noquenoman Ski Marathon and in February — Heikki Lunta in Negaunee (it’s all things SISU), Meijer Winter State Games and the UP 200 dog sled race. 

Things to Do in Marquette

 

8. Pine Mountain Resort | Iron Mountain

Pine Mountain is renowned for its family-friendly slopes and annual international ski jumping competitions. It has 28 runs, one terrain park and ski-in/ski-out lodging.

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Immerse in the indoor pool and hot tub.
  • Join new and old friends at the on-site Sitzmark Bar and Famers Restaurant.
  • Catch food and drinks at Iron Mountain’s Blackstone Pizza, Crispigna’s Italian Market, Dobber’s Pasties, Oddfellows Wine Bar, Wild Horse Saloon or Kingsford’s 51st State Brewing Company.
  • Totally relax at Exhale 906 day spa for hair and nail care and massages.
  • Cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat tire bike on nearby trails. 
  • Ice skate at Mountain View Ice Arena, Kingsford Rink and area inland lakes and ponds
  • Snowmobile on over 100 miles of trails.
  • Watch the premier annual event in February: FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup.

More Iron Mountain Fun

9. Norway Mountain | Norway

This ski destination gets high marks from families. It offers a variety of scenic runs for beginner to seasoned skiers and snowboarders.

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Hungry? Head to the on-site Moosehead Bar & Restaurant. 
  • Enjoy favorite foods and beverages at Mike’s on Main or Thirsty Whale Bar & Grill.
  • Explore Norway cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking.
  • Experience the freedom of snowmobiling.

More About the City of Trails

 

10. Ski Brule | Iron River

Ski Brule prides itself on offering skiing from early November to late April. The 17 trails and three terrain parks keep skiers and snowboarders playing outside for hours. It earns accolades as one of the best and most affordable ski destinations in the Midwest.

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Dine on-site at Brule Cafe, Hillside Dining (don’t miss the Friday fish fry) and Homestead Lodge.
  • Attend the Saturday Homestead Family BBQ Dinner:. Fill up at the BBQ buffet, take a sleigh ride,  join with other resorters around the fire pit to roast marshmallows, listen to live music and go tubing.
  • Laugh together at the tubing park.
  • Experience the exhilaration of whitewater tubing.
  • Enjoy live music nights.
  • Attend College Week.
  • Go cross-country skiing, fat tire biking and snowshoeing.
  • Access a snowmobile trail from Ski Brule and sled through beautiful Michigan and Wisconsin scenery.
  • Satisfy your cravings at Alpha Michigan Brewing Company, Bump’s Burgers, Curious Pig, The Pasty Corner and Waydam Resort Bar.
  • Shop at Ski Brule’s Bear’s Den Pro Shop or at stores throughout Iron County.

There’s More Fun in Iron County

11. Gladstone Ski Hill | Gladstone

Let your family and friends release their endorphins at this family-friendly ski, snowboard and tubing park along Little Bay de Noc. Skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the beginner to intermediate hill challenges.

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Go snow tubing on a hill with a return lift. You can reserve it for private parties, too.
  • Warm up in the chalet with concessions.
  • Gather around tables at Freshwater Tavern in Gladstone, Jack’s Restaurant in Rapid River and Upper Hand Brewery, Bobaloon’s Café,  Ernie’s Irish Pub and Hereford & Hops Steakhouse and Brew Pub in Escanaba.
  • Cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat tire bike on nearby wooded trails.
  • Snowmobile with trail access from many Escanaba-area lodgings.
  • Reel in tasty walleye and perch ice fishing on the Bays de Noc.
  • Go kiteboarding on the Bays, too.
  • Visit Webster Marble: Inventing the Outdoors Museum, U.P. Military Museum and William Bonifas Fine Arts Center.

The fun never stops in Escanaba

 

12. Big Valley Ski & Tube Hill | Newberry

This is a great winter destination in the Eastern U.P. The lighted hill entertains snow enthusiasts with downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing. Don’t have equipment? Rentals are available.

 
Après-Ski Activities
  • Meet before or after the slopes at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub or Joshua James Grill & Tavern, M-28 Grill & Tavern, Pine Stump Junction (on Tuesday evenings you can play SINGO Musical Bingo) and Zellar’s Village Inn Restaurant in Newberry.
  • Visit Tahquamenon Upper and Lower Falls — keep your camera ready!
  • Go dogsledding. You will talk about it for years!
  • Cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat tire bike over miles of snow-beautiful trails.
  • Open your throttle and enjoy some of the most amazing snowmobiling trails in the U.S.
  • Watch for moose and other wildlife while hiking.

Explore Tahquamenon Country

Let Us Help You Plan Your Ski/Snowboarding Trip 

As you make your plans, explore these helpful pages to create the best winter vacation anywhere: 

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