Understanding the importance of winter recreational activities, Governor Rick Snyder has issued a proclamation declaring January as “Discover Michigan Snow Sports Month.”

The proclamation states in part, “Whereas, home to more downhill ski areas than any other state, Michigan winters offer a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities including skiing and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating and snowmobiling.”  The proclamation also states that, “during this month, we encourage Michigan residents and visitors to learn more about and take advantage of the many snow sports Pure Michigan has to offer.”

To make it easy and affordable to try skiing or snowboarding, the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) offers a program called “Discover Michigan Skiing, which includes: a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass.  Twenty-three ski facilities are offering the package, which is honored through January 31.  Prices are: $20 for Discover Michigan Cross-Country Skiing; $30 for Discover Michigan Downhill Skiing; and $40 for Discover Michigan Snowboarding.  The program is open to everyone 7 years and older.

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.goskimichigan.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. Program times differ from ski area to ski area.

Participating ski areas include: Apple Mountain in Freeland; Big Powderhorn in Bessemer, Blackjack Ski Resort also in Bessemer, Bittersweet in Otsego; Boyne Highlands of Harbor Springs; Boyne Mountain of Boyne Falls; Caberfae Peaks of Cadillac; Cannonsburg Ski Area in Cannonsburg, Cross Country Ski Headquarters of Roscommon; Hanson Hills of Grayling; Mt. Brighton of Brighton; Mt. Holly in Holly; Mt. Zion in Ironwood; Muskegon Luge & Sports Complex in Muskegon; Norway Mountain in Norway; Nubs Nob in Harbor Springs; Pine Knob in Clarkston; Shanty Creek of Bellaire; 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 on Discover Michigan Snowsports and to view the Governor’s proclamation, go to goskimichigan.com and click on Discover Michigan Skiing–or call MSIA at (248) 620-4448.