OTSEGO, Mich. — It's happened.
After a dismal 2023 winter in which ski hills across Michigan had to close numerous times during the season, Bittersweet Ski Resort has opened up for the year.
"It's an exciting day for us," said Nick Ross, the general manager for Bittersweet. "It's a new year, new feel. Right now, we're luckily able to have a lot of cold weather and able to get started right here in December."
Ross says they turned on their snow guns Thursday afternoon. Last year, they weren't able to get the machines up and running until the end of December.
As of opening day, they resort was able to open 11 of their 19 hills, but hope to have all of them open by the weekend.
"We've just been watching the weather, I mean that's crucial for us," said Ross. "Just keep an eye on the weather. The first time when you see three of four days under 28 degrees, we're going to go for it. I mean, it's why we're in business. We put snow on the hill and let people ski it."
On Monday afternoon, there were a few dozen snowboarders and skiers riding the chairlifts up the hill, but Ross says they expect their evenings to pick up once the winter enthusiasts get out of work.
Josh Ellen and Joseph Hughes had the day off of work, so they spent it at Bittersweet. Both snowboarders were only able to ride the slopes once last year, but have plans to be frequent visitors this year.
"It's great, I know that a lot of hill haven't opened yet, so I was really excited to see that this one was already open," said Ellen. "It looks like they have a lot of snow out here with about 12 runs open right now, so it's just a really good winter activity to do, a good way to stay active."
"I'm extremely excited for another season," said Hughes. "I'll be out here as many times as I can as long as work lets me, the wife lets me, I'll be out here."
According to Ross, the forecast for the upcoming two weeks looks promising for more snow to add to the hills and maintain the base they currently have.
"Right now with the temperatures staying cold, it's keeping a good product out there," said Ross. "It came out pretty nice coming out of the guns this year, and now that it's staying cold it's going to keep a good soft product out there right now."
Cannonsburg, located about a 20-minute drive from Grand Rapids in Belmont, said they hope to be open by Dec. 14. However, an official date has yet to be announced. Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac said they will be opening on Saturday.