By Tom Lang
Our family has had such great experiences at Crystal Mountain over the years that my now-adult daughter asked that we return to the resort this summer so her two young boys can begin to experience some of the amazing fun she had as a child and teen.
What golf-loving grandpa would say no to that great idea?
That same scenario has been played out for thousands of families over the decades in northern Michigan – as Crystal Mountain’s award for 2025 Michigan Golf Course of the Year is just part of the story. Many other honors have been bestowed upon the resort by golf, skiing, and travel publications, too numerous to mention.
“Crystal Mountain is one of the true gems in the Midwest as they blend an amazing combination of family-friendly fun with championship golf and a resort setting so different from the norm,” said Bill Hobson of Michigan Golf Live TV/Radio. “From the time my kids were little, we’ve been huge fans of Crystal Mountain and it’s so fun to be there now and watch a new generation of families experience this special place.”
Michigan Golf Course of the Year
Voters for the Michigan Golf Course Association named the Mountain Ridge course at Crystal Mountain as Golf Course of the Year.
Personally, I truly enjoy Mountain Ridge and plan to play it again soon. Holes 16-18 are as memorable as any closing three holes in golf. The adventure begins after the 15th green, when golfers climb into their carts for the long ride – up the back side of the mountain – to the 16th tee. A pathway cutout stopping point on the upward climb gives you the chance to pull over and take a long pause to enjoy the wonderful views over the valley below to the west. If you’re playing late in the day with a setting sun, all the better. Taking photos is necessary.
Hole 16 is a challenging par 4, with a big dip in the land formation between the elevated tees and a slightly uphill fairway. The 17th is an aggressive par 3 downhill where club selection is paramount in gauging the altitude shift. The closing par 5 is a gradual downhill grade with bunkers and out of bounds to navigate on the way to the multi-tiered green of the grand finishing hole.
Crystal Mt.’s Director of Golf, Mark Fenech, says a lot of work goes into maintaining the things golfers love about playing the game, which is both challenging and beautiful to look at and enjoy a half day outdoors.
“We do a pretty good job with forestry management,” Fenech said. “And you have to – otherwise the growth up here (in the north), the weather conditions are so ideal that if you don’t maintain the forestry floor, it can simply take over. You have to stay on it all the time or literally your golf course will disappear; the growing conditions are that good. So, a couple years ago we did some really good clean out so visually you can see (some of the) other holes, and it just really beautified the property. It’s a lot of work but it’s a big part of our golf course beautification.”
Sister course Betsie Valley received a majority of that tree work – enough that I saw the immediate positive results playing the course in 2024. Corridors were more open, which improved playing the game and also improved airflow and sunshine to green up the grass playing surfaces and property even more. Betsie Valley is the original course at Crystal Mountain and is a great compliment to the Mountain Ridge Course. Betsie Valley remains a challenging track for good players, but when using the right tees, juniors and less-experienced players can still have a lot of fun.
Home Base:
“We are what we call the ideal base camp for up north,” Fenech added. “Any family reunions or any outings at all, you can check in and stay here. If you’re going to play golf you don’t have to go anywhere else, we have two great courses to play. We have pools and multiple restaurants, the Alpine Slide and other fun activities and they are all right there. We’re like our own small town.
“But if you want to venture out and roast hotdogs on a campfire at the beach, go lake swimming, those are only 10-15 minutes away. Or if you want to go explore a historic lighthouse or visit a nice harbor or go shopping in one of the many beach towns, you’re close to everything. We’re just an amazing base camp.”
I will additionally mention an iconic worldwide draw for visitors – it’s about a half hour drive to the famous Sleep Bear Dunes. And there is minor league baseball in Traverse City. Then one of the only remaining drive-in movie theatres in Michigan, the Cherry Bowl, is found on US 31, north of Crystal Mountain.
My favorite – and something I’ll definitely be introducing my grandsons to – is the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide – the only dual alpine slide in Michigan. It’s like a luge track but without the ice and snow, complete with high bank turns, twists and dips. Riders sit up straight on the sled outfitted with wheels and riders utilize a hand brake to adjust their speed. Riders take the Loki chairlift up the mountain to the start line where they’ll take in wonderful views before flying down on the coaster. Two parallel runs twist down 1,600 feet to the bottom of the ski hill.
Whether you and your buddies, golf-mates or family make the crystal-clear choice of Crystal Mountain, there’s so much to do at the ‘base camp’ and beyond, everyone will be well entertained and fully rejuvenated – body, mind and soul.
Crystal Mountain is celebrating 70 years in 2026, and is a family-owned, four-season resort destination in Thompsonville, about 30 minutes’ drive southwest of Traverse City. Featuring golf, 59 downhill ski slopes, wonderful lodging options and sizes, conference amenities, and the award-winning Crystal Spa, the resort is one of the most highly-regarded destinations in the Midwest.
