PAID CONTENT
Six fabulous ways to dine, wander, gallop, wonder and snuggle at one of Michigan’s best ski resorts.
Whether you’re planning a winter adventure getaway, a family mid-week expedition or a decadent ski-in, ski-out couple’s retreat, you’ll find a host of snowy secrets and serious upgrades at The Highlands. And if you’re a home-mountain loyalist or think all Northern Michigan ski areas are mostly alike? Hang tight—all tip-of-the-mitt resorts are not created equal.
Here’s how to make the most of your Highlands Harbor Springs visit, with magical must-dos and gotta-try-it upgrades you won’t want to miss.
Explore Winter Woods on Horseback
Fun fact: The Highlands rests on more than 3,000 acres of Northern Michigan beauty—and a good chunk of that is in the snow-frosted forests far from the slopes. The best way to explore? Head to the resort’s Equestrian Center for a winter ride. A small herd of 16 trail-ready horses, completely beginner-friendly, are ready to pack you off into some of the most beautiful countryside around. With snowflakes catching in your lashes and the horses’ steamy breath puffing clouds in the air, you’ll ride out in an intimate group (typically eight riders at a time) with nothing but the crunch of snow under hoof to disturb the quiet. The hour-long ride winds you through open meadows, a pine forest and back. Rides start at $65 for ages 8 and up; younger horse lovers can climb up for a pony ride at the equestrian center.
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Stroll an Enchanted Forest
A winter walk by starlight on a trail that bursts into shows of twinkling light and song? Sign us up. The resort’s beloved Enchanted Trail has undergone a serious upgrade this year—more lights, more magic, more interactive options. Wander through laser displays, colorful trees and lights that bloom and sparkle like fireworks, all set to music.
Midway through, walkers come upon an interactive piece called “Sing”: lights programmed to correspond to real voices raised in song. Dust off your best karaoke number or that church choir piece you just can’t forget, and as you change notes and frequency the lights respond in kind.
After several more interactive installations, you’ll arrive at the trail’s end, a cozy yurt waiting with hot cocoa, s’mores, a bonfire, alcoholic bevvies—the perfect place to warm body and spirit. Pro tips: The trail is dog friendly (with free treats for canine friends) and kids 5 and under explore the trail for free.
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Grab Cozier Lifts and Faster Hot Laps
It’s always perfect in Camelot … the new Camelot 6 high-speed lift, that is.
If the wind is whipping, just pull the bubble down (and relish the heated seats). If you’re a parent with littles, know the lift is super safe: You don’t have to skate quickly to the chair, it pulls you along on an automatic conveyor belt for loading. An automatic safety bar comes down once you’re seated. After a swift three-minute ride up, it’s a slow unload where you can cruise off to access green, blue or black.
Did we mention it’s fast? Off the Camelot, you can easily bag three to four runs in less than 30 minutes. And a brief history lesson: while this is the first year for the Camelot, it’s just another high note for the resort in bubble-lift history–The Highlands installed the first bubble lift in the WORLD in 1963.
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Upgrade to a Luxury Suite
Let’s not kid. A ski-in, ski-out vacation without the schlep factor is a gorgeous luxury, and you should make this the year you DO IT. Main lodge rooms have been recently updated with plenty of creature comforts—heated floors, accents of dark green, brass and wood tones, posh new baths. But to really relax, upgrade to a suite: You’ll enjoy loads of room, a full wet bar for après mixing and spacious baths with impossibly deep standalone tubs for soaking. The best part? Once you slip your skis off, you never have to leave. Eateries, a café, a heated pool and a hot tub are all on-site. Double bonus: Ultra-luxury suites start at only $200 midweek.
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Take a Sleigh Ride to Supper
The Aonoch Mor (“big ridge” in Gaelic) Moonlight Dinner books up way in advance—and for deliciously good reason. It starts with a snowcat-drawn sleigh ride up the mountain—on a clear night you can see all the way to the Mighty Mac. Once you reach the heated warming hut, you’re greeted with candlelight and live acoustic music. A champagne toast kicks off a three-course meal (whatever you do, save room for the white-chocolate panna cotta with pomegranate sauce). A full bar can serve up whatever cocktail you can dream up; the snowcat driver can handle the ride home. Dinners start at $148 per person.
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands
Let the Kids Learn with the Best
Doesn’t matter that we’re expert skiers—our children don’t want to hear mom or dad’s tips and tricks. But when ski school comes with fun-loving, non-parental instructors? That’s a recipe for better learning. The Highlands’ Kids Camp group lessons run from 9 to 3 and are fun-forward, not super intense: skiers explore the whole mountain, with plenty of stops to warm up and a hot lunch at the day lodge included. Ages 4 to 14 are grouped by ability and age, so older beginners get to hang together instead of chilling with littles. Starts at $119 for the day. Mom and Dad, go do hot laps.
Photo by Courtesy of The Highlands