Crystal Mountain is a Great Escape
Golf and Family Attractions Abound
By Tom Lang
Crystal Mountain in Benzie County is one of the top family-friendly, four-season resorts in the country – with recognition from respected publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Outside and U.S. News & World Report.
Much the same could be said if you’re looking for great golf, excellent amenities for a relaxing getaway and incredible natural resources in the region that is open to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Let’s begin with great golf.
Crystal Mountain has two contrasting tracks: the Mountain Ridge course and Betsie Valley course. The latter was the first golf course at the property – yet experienced a significant update and renovation in 2021 and is one of the most ideal courses I’ve played that’s good for all ages and skill levels. Multiple-generation families and first-timers can have a lot of fun, while more skilled players will still be tested from longer tees.
The nines were flipped about a dozen years ago, so now the 10th tee starts out going up a fairly severe hill to the fairway landing area above. After that first climb, the remainder of the back nine – as does much of the front nine – meanders across lightly rolling ground among the trees, open meadows and ponds to give a pleasant yet challenging experience for all.
The Mountain Ridge course has hosted the Michigan Women’s Open (coming June 24-26) each summer for over 20 years, but even non-pros enjoy the grand views and challenges of this resort course.
On the long, winding journey from 15 green to the 16th tee near the top of the mountain, make sure to stop for a couple minutes at the scenic overlook along the cart path, or at the 17th tee as well. Both locations feature nothing but tens of thousands of trees as far as you can see toward Lake Michigan about 15 miles away – trees that paint a very colorful tapestry during their fall peak of early to mid-October.
The 18th on Mountain Ridge is a wonderful closing par 5, for amateurs or pros alike. Despite the downward slope all the way from tee to green, most golfers still require at least three shots to reach the chance at a birdie putt on the multi-tiered green. Whether playing with friends, or watching the pros play the Michigan Women’s Open, the 18th provides a lot of drama, and it rewards the best players. Both courses have received four-star ratings by Golf Digest magazine.
In 2024, the golf courses will also have a new fleet of 155 Club Car GPS golf carts.
“The GPS features and touch screens give an overview display of each hole, dynamic distances to the pins, and custom pin placements,” said Jamie Davison. “This system also has an electronic scorecard that can be shared via text or email, real-time messaging to and from the clubhouse, and the capability for mobile food and beverage ordering.”
Crystal Mountain is now one of four golf course destinations in northern Michigan enrolled with Monarchs in the Rough. The program utilizes the open spaces of golf courses and the knowledge of golf course superintendents to create pollinator habitats to host and feed monarch butterflies on their global migration path. Adding a touch of beauty while helping the environment is a solid 1-2 punch.
“There are areas for potential pollinator habitats on both of our golf courses,” said Dan Heiss, Golf Course Superintendent. “In addition to having milkweed in these areas for the monarchs to lay eggs, there also needs to be an abundance of other plants such as wildflowers where the adult butterflies can receive nectar. It’s a win for us because it brings more color to our courses while also helping wildlife.”
Then there is Crystal Mountain’s Golf Learning Center with tailored and dedicated golf instruction to help anyone with their golf goals. Whether you're preparing for your next round or trying to improve your game, the Golf Learning Center is a 10-acre practice facility and home to the nationally recognized Crystal Mountain Golf School.
The Golf Learning Center features a driving range, putting green and two multi-tiered chipping greens with bunkers, which are well suited for sharpening short-game skills – and is open to the public with a range ball machine on-site. Golf schools are supported by multiple Class A teaching professionals using advanced TrackMan 4 technology. Learn more about Crystal Mountain’s Golf Schools & Lessons.
Onsite Family Fun:
Quite simply, Crystal Mountain is one of the best family vacation spots our family has ever visited. When my kids were younger it was our go-to place every summer that the kids really looked forward to, and sometimes we brought their friends along too – which guaranteed our kids a popularity vote.
It’s easy to stay at Crystal for several days, as there are a wide variety of lodging options to fit any group. Whether you’re looking for a hotel suite for two, a 2-3-bedroom cottage, or a Mountain Top resort home that sleeps up to 14 people, the accommodations feel like home away from home – or better. Most buildings have been remodeled or constructed new in recent years and are impeccably outfitted with modern amenities.
For starters, the outdoor pool and water playground at the Park at Water’s Edge is designed with a wading area for the littlest tikes, water sports for the older kids, and a large area for peaceful lap swimming in the morning. The new poolside private cabana rentals are a nice touch, too, offering shade, table and chairs and other deck furniture. Many times, this outdoor water oasis becomes an all-day affair followed up with a relaxing evening chairlift ride to the top of the mountain to watch the setting sun or bonfire with smores in Barr Park.
But don’t you dare stay at Crystal Mountain without trying the new and improved Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide – the only dual alpine slide in Michigan. It’s like a luge track but without ice, complete with high bank turns, tunnels, and dips. Riders sit up straight on the sled outfitted with wheels and riders utilize a hand brake to adjust the speed. Riders must take the Loki chairlift up the mountain to the start line where they’ll take in spectacular views before flying down on the coaster. Two parallel runs twist down 1,600 feet to the bottom of the ski hill.
Another new feature near the Loki Quad Chairlift and Mountain Adventure Zone, is the Crystal Bungee Trampoline. Four jumpers are strapped in individually and free to bounce 20 feet into the air off the trampoline.
Finally, many people enjoy a walk through the outdoor Michigan Art Legacy Park. The 31-acre wooded preserve features more than 50 sculptures and poetry stones telling the story of the Great Lakes State. Those walking the entire trail are sure to come across the newest installation – Gateway to Black Eden. The 15-foot steel work of art reflects the African American lake resort experience in America during years before passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1965. It specifically recalls Idlewild, a traditionally African American resort not far from Crystal Mountain, near Baldwin, Michigan.
Venture Outside:
The entire Benzie County region is filled with boating, fishing, biking and hiking options – but a particularly fun option is canoeing an outfitter’s trip lasting under two hours on the Platte River, ending at the mouth of an inlet along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s where my son first tried canoeing with me, an activity he still enjoys today.
To the north of that same canoe trip exit point is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the natural wonder of northern Michigan that draws international travelers. It was even named the Most Beautiful Place in America by ABC-TV’s Good Morning America. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a short scenic drive from Crystal Mountain and makes a phenomenal day trip memory.
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