Michigan Roadside Attractions: Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort “Ski Bum” on US-2 Near Bessemer

Michigan Roadside Attractions is a periodic feature on Travel the Mitten that will explore the many interesting things that can be found on the highways, byways and back roads of Michigan, ranging from the interesting to unusual.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is well known as a beautiful destination for summer vacation, but it is highly regarded as a winter sports paradise as well. Thousands flock to the Western Upper Peninsula each winter to ski at Blackjack Ski Resort, Indianhead Mountain, Big Powderhorn Mountain and other locations in Gogebic County. A fiberglass statue of a skier at the corner of US-2 and Powderhorn Rd. may look a bit out of place surrounded by green in summer months, but it hints at a more eventful season to come.

The skier wears goggles, a red jacket, and blue pants. The base of the statue claims the area as “Ski Capital of the Midwest.” Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a 250-acre ski resort that features 33 different runs of various difficulty for skiing and snowboarding, as well as access to cross-country trails. Head over to http://www.bigpowderhorn.net/index.htm for more information.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Ishpeming, a drive of a little more than 2 hours to the east on M-28/US-41.