Michigan Raised Rates at Porcupine Mountains Complex
Officials adjusted fees for lift tickets, season passes, and rentals at the winter facility for the first time since 2018.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Skiing
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has increased prices for all services at the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex. These changes follow six years of facility investments totaling $1.4 million.
Why it matters
The price adjustments address rising operational costs and ensure the complex remains competitive with other regional ski areas. The facility relies on user fees and royalty revenues to sustain its operations.
Adult full-day lift tickets now cost $60, up from $45, while youth full-day tickets increased to $45 from $35. Full-day equipment rentals rose to $40, marking the first broad price hike at the complex since 2018.
The players
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
This state agency manages and oversees the operations of the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex.
Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex
This facility is a ski and winter recreation area located in Michigan's Ontonagon County near Lake Superior.
The details
The rate hikes apply across lift tickets, season passes, lessons, and equipment rentals at the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex. These decisions were reached by evaluating regional market conditions and inflationary pressures.
Timeline
2018 was the last time the facility increased prices.
October 26 through November 6 is the designated early-bird sale window.
Late December is the expected start of the ski season.
Season Trajectory
The infusion of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act has allowed the facility to modernize its aging infrastructure to maintain competitive standards. This financial support helps bridge the gap between limited General Fund contributions and the rising costs of winter operations.
Visitors will pay $15 more for a full-day adult lift ticket compared to previous rates. Early-bird purchasers can secure lower season pass rates during the window starting October 26.
The takeaway
Maintaining state-run winter sports facilities requires balancing operational costs with user accessibility to ensure long-term viability. Visitors should plan to utilize the early-bird sale window to mitigate the impact of the updated fee structure.
What happens next
An early-bird rate sale is scheduled to run from October 26 through November 6, preceding the expected ski season opening in late December.
Further reading
Find more updates on regional winter recreation across the state in the Michigan Skiing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Radioresultsnetwork.
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