Michigan’s ski season is off to a quick start thanks to hard-working snow guns

Snow sports enthusiasts flocked to the slopes of southeast Michigan on Saturday after an unexpected but welcome cold snap hastened the start of the season.

Colder temperatures paved the way for snowmaking crews to begin work at Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort within a week of Thanksgiving, Jeff King, director of Pine Knob Ski School, told The News.

Skiers and snowboarders as young as 2 have been showing up at Clarkston Resort since opening day on Dec. 1, he said. Six days into the season, southeast Michigan residents are still flocking to use the lifts, he said.

“I would say almost everyone I spoke to said this was the best opening week of skiing they have ever experienced,” King said.

Snow guns have been working day and night on the Pine Knob trails lately to ensure the resort’s more than 150 snow guns built into the hills are working well, said Sean Kennedy, the resort’s general manager.

Many specialists work at the resort year-round to maintain the surface for visitors and prepare the snow machines before the first frost, he said.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, last season was challenging for ski areas and other winter-dependent businesses that suffered significant financial losses during Michigan’s warmest winter.

According to the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, the state’s ski area operators lost $41 million in expected revenue over the winter.