In 1964, a young Albert Gillespie whisked down the slopes of Mt. Holly Ski Resort for the first time—just eight years after business partners James “Grant” Hanks and Morton Graddis opened it with a modest four runs.
“Yes, Mt. Holly was significantly smaller in both terrain and facilities when I first began skiing there in the days of leather lace-up boots, wooden skis, and cable bindings,” recalled Gillespie, now 73 and president of the Flint-based Schussmeisters Ski & Board Club.
Nevertheless, Gillespie loved his experiences on the hill nestled between I-75 and Dixie Highway and returned each winter to a gradually expanding resort. He’s back again this year for another season of fun on Mt. Holly’s runs—and today he has far more to choose from.
Boasting the biggest vertical drop in Southeast Michigan (350 feet), Mt. Holly now offers 20 runs catering to all ability levels and seven chairlifts, including the only two high-speed detachable quad lifts in this part of the state. Skiers are also transported via four tow ropes and two SunKid Wonder Carpets—high-tech, covered conveyor belt systems. Within Mt. Holly’s 100 skiable acres are two terrain parks with an array of box and rail features and jumps. Overall, 39% of the terrain is classified as advanced, 39% intermediate, and 22% beginner.
“Mt. Holly has an expansive layout with terrain suited for all levels,” Gillespie said. “The beginner area features long, gentle runs that provide an ‘up-north’ skiing experience, and intermediate and advanced riders can enjoy a variety of engaging trails that offer both challenge and opportunity for skill development.”
Gillespie is far from the only winter sports enthusiast who appreciates what Mt. Holly has to offer. The resort kicked off its 70th season on Dec. 1 and typically draws some 90,000 visitors each winter.
Nearly 1,500 Google reviews give Mt. Holly an average rating of 4.5 stars. One recent review noted, “I honestly think this has one of the nicest lodges around here… lots of chairlifts and trails for all levels with some fun cut-throughs to challenge you, friendly staff and fast lift ticket counter. The bar area is nice with a good selection and views. Bathrooms are spread out and clean, and the pro shop fixed my buddy’s binding for a very reasonable price.”
Home to five high school teams, Mt. Holly offers more than just snowy fun—it’s also a hub for racing at all levels.
“Mt. Holly has the best topography of any Southeast Michigan ski area, combined with the biggest drop, which makes it great for racing,” said Holly/Oxford coach Stephen Ford, who first skied at the resort in the late 1970s. “I’ve always said Mt. Holly is also the best for spectators, who can closely view races from near a firepit on a big outdoor deck or from inside the lodge.”
Within Mt. Holly’s 100 skiable acres are two terrain parks with an array of box and rail features and jumps. Overall, 39% of the terrain is classified as advanced, 39% intermediate, and 22% beginner.
Other teams based at Mt. Holly include Powers Catholic, Grand Blanc, the combined Fenton/Lake Fenton/Linden squad, and the combined Flushing/Swartz Creek/Ortonville Brandon/Clarkston Everest Academy program. Mt. Holly also hosted a Division 1 regional competition last season.
A closer look at what attracts thousands to Mt. Holly each winter
Diverse runs:
Holly’s longest run measures 1,300 feet, and a large beginner ski area sits off to one side—ideal for learning and progressing without mixing with advanced skiers. In the past five years, a new run called Snowway opened between Pine Run and Grant’s Trail, and a wooded area between Glacier Gap and Pass was cleared to create more skiable terrain.
The late Mt. Holly owner Joe Kosik brought the first high-speed quad chairlift to the hill in 1997. The Mach 1 Express (Chair 3) transports roughly 2,100 skiers per hour.
The Lightning Express (Chair 6) opened last year and can move 2,400 skiers per hour, with rides lasting less than two minutes. “Those detachable, high-speed lifts are just like the ones in major resorts in the western United States,” Ford said. “They detach, pick up skiers, slowly reattach, and then rocket up the hill, so lift lines are shorter.”
Mt. Holly’s other lifts carry between 800 and 1,600 people per hour. “The lift system is unparalleled among mid-Michigan resorts, with high-speed lifts significantly reducing wait times,” Gillespie said. “The new Lightning Express services both black diamond and blue square runs on the back side of the hill, providing much quicker access to those areas than in past years.”
Snowmaking and grooming:
Under the direction of Mark Tibbitts—who began working at Mt. Holly in 1977 and has been General Manager since 1997—the resort has developed a reputation for high-quality, consistent snowmaking using the latest technology.
Friends of Skroove President and Co-Founder Kenny Lenzi take a break from the slopes for fun photos at Mt. Holly.
“Mt. Holly is often ready for skiing thanks to its extensive snowmaking capabilities and skilled grooming team,” Gillespie said. “With just a few days of cold temperatures and low humidity, the resort can be fully operational. Even after warm-ups or rain, the crew can restore conditions within hours.” The team includes Assistant General Manager Michael Arkell and groomer Matt Leadingham.
Lift tickets are available for full-day, day, or evening sessions.
Season passes include access not only to Mt. Holly but also to Alpine Valley (White Lake), Pine Knob (Clarkston), Bittersweet Resort (Otsego), and Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Passholders also receive discounted lift tickets at Searchmont Ski Resort in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Terrain parks:
The Snow White and Slalom terrain parks offer an assortment of features for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. “Mt. Holly’s terrain parks are popular and provide a safe environment for practicing tricks and jumps,” Gillespie noted.
Cozy lodge:
Warm up in Mt. Holly’s three-story, Bavarian-style lodge featuring two cafeterias, a fireplace room, and a lounge with additional fireplaces. Unwind with a drink or satisfy your hunger at The Lift Lounge, which serves legendary hot chocolate and hosts regular live entertainment. The lodge also includes a 4,200-square-foot deck facing the slopes, with a heated paver patio and fire pit.
“The lodge’s Austrian-inspired design creates the feeling of a winter getaway in the Alps,” Gillespie said. “While the cafeteria serves a solid selection of food, the burgers in the Lift Lounge are particularly noteworthy.”
Ski shop and rentals:
In addition to apparel and gear, the ski shop offers a variety of repair and maintenance services, including ski and snowboard binding mounting and adjustment, hot wax service, and edge sharpening. Daily ski or snowboard rentals are $45, and helmet rentals are $16.
Instruction and racing:
Mt. Holly’s snow sports school offers ski and snowboard instructional and racing programs for all ages and experience levels, including the renowned Thunderbolt Junior Development program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Holly/Oxford Coach Stephen Ford
“The Thunderbolt program serves as an invaluable feeder system to our high school programs, providing kids with great training and racing experience,” Ford said. “It’s very difficult for anyone to join their high school team having never skied before.”
Private, semi-private, and group lessons are available. Kindersparks is a five-week program for beginning skiers and snowboarders ages 5–10, and Snowstreamers is a more advanced program for ages 7–11.
Another option is the student patch program, which provides seven ski or four snowboard lessons along with discounted lift rates from 3 p.m. to close Monday–Friday. Mountain Mondays is designed for women learning from professional female instructors.
Adult competition options include the Belgium and Bells Race League, which features weekly race parties, prizes, and an awards night, open to both skiers and snowboarders.
“Mt. Holly’s trained instructors focus on teaching control, safety, and technique,” Gillespie said. “The student patch program makes skiing more affordable for families while promoting skill development. As students progress, they gain access to more challenging slopes.”
Unique events:
The season is full of activity, but early March features a pair of especially popular events. Beach Day invites skiers to hit the slopes in swimwear or costumes and includes live outdoor music, a patio barbecue, a tug-of-war battle, and a pond skim in which participants attempt to glide across a man-made pool of icy water.
The Henry Walder Memorial Race raises funds for Area 13 Special Olympics, with participants earning prizes based on the amount they raise.
Safety:
With 100 active members, the Mt. Holly Ski Patrol is an all-volunteer organization that has provided safety services and emergency care since the resort opened. “Mt. Holly’s ski patrol is exceptional and located right at the base of the hill, providing easy access if anything happens,” Ford said. “They will quickly reach anyone needing assistance.”
Welcoming environment:
“Having known the owners and managers of Mt. Holly for many years, I can confidently say they genuinely care about the skiing and snowboarding community,” Gillespie said. “No matter your age or skill level, the experience at Mt. Holly is consistently first-rate.”
Now at Mt. Holly
Skroove is an Oakland County-based brand of ski, snowboard and skateboarding apparel which is opening its first retail location this weekend in Royal Oak. “What we love about Mt. Holly are the vibes and the community that they have! Everyone is always in a great mood at Holly (riders and workers alike) and it’s all about the vibes. You can be the most skilled rider or just going out for your first time and there’s no judgement. Mt. Holly is definitely one of our favorite resorts in Michigan. If you end up making your way out there this season check out the Skroove x Mt. Holly collaboration that’s exclusively available in their ski shop,” said Kenny Lenzi, Skroove founder and president. Mt. Holly is open 3–9 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at skimtholly.com.
