With mild weather so far this winter, the skiing season has gotten off to a slow start for most resorts in southwest Michigan. Swiss Valley Ski Area in Jones tells us they usually aim to open the second week of December, but this year, probably won’t be open until next week. Even with snow produced on site, it remains too warm for reliable skiing. Timber Ridge Ski Area near Gobles tells The Herald Palladium much the same. An exception is Bittersweet Ski Area in Otsego. Manager Victor Gayheart tells WSJM News they started making snow in November.
“We’re very aggressive on our snow making because we saw years ago it seemed like the natural snow was backing off compared to what it used to be,” Gayheart said.
Gayheart tells us Bittersweet has special patented snow machines. He says Bittersweet has been the only ski area in the region to be open so far this year, which has made for a good season for them. The others are waiting for after the new year, when temperatures are expected to fall into the 20s.
