swiss valley ski area

We go often as it is a short drive. Great runs with several chair lifts. Something for everyone. The food is really good too!

As a Floridian, skiing is not something that I have done much of. I've actually only done it once before my trip to Swiss Valley. We drove the 2.5 hour drive to here from Chicago. We used the "Discover Michigan" coupon that was on the website and we were able to get a ski rental, bunny hill, and group lesson for $30. What a deal! For $15, you can upgrade to a full lift ticket. Anyway, the group lesson was great. They gave the basics, and taught us how to use the rope pulley thing on the bunny hill. We were lucky, and it was snowing throughout the day! The rope pulley was difficult for some people to grasp, but like the lift, when people fall, there is someone at the top that stops it from going so that people don't get trampled. We went over and upgraded out lift ticket, then went on the first intermediate slope. It was good, and I felt comfortable on it as a second time skier. The lift was easy enough, and they stoppd it if people fell off. All in all, this was a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed the time that we spent here.

Having never tried to ski, my wife convinced me to go with some family and friends. It was a blast, if you want to learn to ski or snowboard, they offer lessons. The fees are minimal, the staff is the best, and the grounds are really nice. They offer a bunny hill and have several other slopes including a black diamond for the more advanced ski enthusiast. Lift tickets are really reasonable as are the rental fees. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because I felt the cafeteria was a bit pricey and sub par. However, the lounge area is really nice with serving some tasty menu items. We will go back again, and again, and again.

Good place to take the kids for a few hours. Three major runs, not 11. you can do a loop if the ground is covered in good snow. Terrain Park with three lifts

Learned to ski here and it gets better every year. Michiana region is lucky to have Swiss Valley!

We are from the Lansing, MI area so we have several ski resorts within 2 hours drive. We decided on the Swiss Valley because of the Sunday deal (includes rental, lift and a lesson for a very low rate from 3-7 pm). My son was off and running, but I was returning to the sport after 30 years! The boot staff was really helpful to make sure I had the right size and that they fit properly. The area to put on boots had mostly very low benches, but a few high (normal height) ones for adults. Then, on to the ski area! After personal questions like how old I am and how much do I weigh, I had skis that were set for me! I was told that most people don't use poles anymore (especially beginners) so I skipped that station and onto the lesson. They didn't seem to start at any particular time, just started when a few people were ready for them. I think our instructor was John. We had two little kids (about 6 years old or so), one college kid, and one 50 year old woman. Obviously very diverse group, but John was good with all of us and we felt comfortable on the beginner hill and he even took us for a few runs down the intermediate hill using the lift. NOTE: Beginner hill has tow rope. The tow rope seems to be a bit faster than most I've seen, and the top of the beginner hill is a little more steep than others I’ve seen. The flip side of that is that the hill marked as intermediate was much easier than I expected, and my son who normally doesn't venture off the intermediate hill was on the advanced hill (so- bottom line- if you've skied other resorts perhaps Northern MI these will seem a little easy compared to others with the same designation). I liked the experience so much that I bought some used ski equipment from their shop so that I can do it again without renting. I was able to buy the very boots that I had spent the afternoon skiing in so I knew they were perfect. Their rental equipment: it was not new, but it functioned very well for me:) We were so enjoying the skiing that neither or us went to the snack bar, so I can't comment on that. Overall a very good experience. I think that teenagers could get bored if you went there for all day (we there 4 hours and it was perfect). Also a very advanced skier or snowboarder would probably be disappointed. They do have a terrain park - looked small from the lift- but since I didn't venture out that way I can't comment on it. The lifts: the smallest "blue square" lift was apparently for beginners. Lots of people fell getting off, and there is a person who immediately stops the lift for safety reasons. The lift stops a lot:) This is good and bad- you feel really secure that if you are the one that falls, you won't get trampled, but if you are not the one falling, it may be a bit annoying that it keeps stopping. The whole resort is very forgiving for beginners. Fun day!

It was great, and we had good instruction from Rick for those who went for the first time. It is a little confusing with the different buildings, but once you know where you're going, it's a lot of fun.

Ric took time to give our group of seven lessons! The slopes were nice and the people at Swiss Valley were amazing!

I would highly recommend this place for beginner skiers and people in groups who want to have fun! Staff was extremely nice and helpful and the slopes were great and not too busy. Special thanks to Rick and Toy Norton who gave us a great place to stay and made some amazing breakfast! Rick was especially helpful with giving our group lessons which helped us throughout the day.

My family learned or re-learned to ski a couple of years ago at Swiss. Our instructor was excellent and every person we have come into contact with at the resort -everyone from the front desk to the lift operators to the pro shop staff- have been incredibly friendly and helpful. We now get season passes and go at least once a week. I'm a 40+ novice skiier and find the trails to be perfect for my skill level and need for adventure! My son and husband like the terrain park and advanced trails. We ski with friends who are experts and have skiied all over the country and Swiss is where they prefer to go close to home. Great family environment. Not too big that you can't find your kids quickly if necessary. Awesome lodge for warming up or some liquid courage! And good food too! Highly recommend!!!

If you don't know how to ski and you live nearby, Swiss Valley is a family friendly place to learn. If you're an intermediate or above skier, you won't find it much of a challenge. The "black diamonds" at Swiss Valley would be rated intermediate anywhere else.

We were new to any type of winter sports like Swiss Valley offers so my teens took snowboarding lessons and I took skiing lessons. The instructors were fabulous and very patient and knowledgeable. Tony was great with an "older" learner! We had a wonderful two days at Swiss Valley--it is a beautiful place and very friendly staff. We will definitely be back.

Swiss is a beautiful ski resort for first timers or semi pro skiers. Gina C is the most personable person we met in Michigan. December 2008, my husband and I wanted to snow ski and she was extremely helpful. We thought maybe we should explore a few more resorts, we did and went straight back to Swiss. Gina made us feel very welcome, even told us to call her if we needed help while on the road! I’m thankful we decided to go back to Swiss because we met Ric, one of the ski instructors. Ric also owns a B & B, which was perfect! We spent the night at T&R 'Inn' Between the Lakes. A great deal, good food and very comfortable.Plan to stay more than 2 days; you will be glad you did. We had such a wonderful experience, we’re going back Dec 2009 and will ring in the New Year with them, once again.