SnoNews

Bragging rights to long ski and ride seasons belong to a handful of resorts across the country and the fun-loving die-hards who enjoy some of the best turns of the year with goggle tans and fun parties to end the year. 

Zipline tours are popular pursuits at ski resorts throughout the nation. You don’t need a mountain to offer some excitement. Ski resorts in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois offer you the rush of zipping through treetops, over gorges and some fantastic views along the ride of Great Lakes and great rivers. It's great summer fun.

The small city owned ski area Hickory Hills, located in the tall hills surrounding Traverser City, Michigan, is getting a major upgrade thanks to a Preserve Hickory $4.1 million project.

The Hemlock Open takes place April 28 on Boyne Mountain. (Boyne Mountain)

With plenty of snow on the slopes and in the glades Michigan’s Boyne Mountain, located in the Lower Peninsula, and Mount Bohemia, in the UP, have thrown down the gauntlet. Who will remain open longest this season for the Wolverine State title?

Meteorologist Steve Glazier enjoyed April riding at Colorado's Arapahoe Basin this week. (Steve Glazier)

Record cold temperatures are on tap for the weekend of April 7-8, allowing snow pack to last a little longer while creating opportunities for spring snowfall in some areas!

Nubs spring runs are silky smooth. (Nubs Nob/Facebook)

With snow in the forecast this week across the upper Midwest and plenty of snow still on the slopes the snowsports season is extending into April, and a couple may stay open into May.

Boyne Resorts takes on ownership of Loon. (Loon/Facebook)

Boyne Resorts has announced an agreement with Ski Resort Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oz Real Estate, to acquire six mountain resorts and a scenic chairlift attraction currently leased by the resort company.

A concept of the new eight-seat, high-speed Doppelmayr lift. (Big Sky)

Boyne announced they will install North America’s first eight-seat, high-speed lift at Big Sky Resort over the summer and it will be ready for next winter, and additional improvements will focus on the Mountain Village.

Spring skiing at Lutsen Mountains overlooking Lake Superior. (Facebook)

Although it's been an up and down weather pattern across the Heartland and Great Lakes, across the northern tier they are in good shape heading into March.

Taking a ride through the glades. (Boyne Mountain)

When you ski and ride at Boyne Mountain you can’t help but think about the history that’s attached to this storied resort. They opened in 1947 with the first ski chairlift in the Midwest and followed with introducing the first three-, four- and six-seat chairlifts in the U.S. There were lots of other firsts, but the Mountain has aged well and the newer village and Mountain Grand Hotel are among the best in the Heartland. Classic straight forward wide runs plunge down the fall line, and Hemlock, their legendary advanced run and slope centerpiece, is still the “dean of Midwest steep.”