March, with longer, warmer days, is often one of the best months to head to Michigan’s UP for some skiing and riding. More good reasons: Indianhead Mountain is hosting its annual spring music festival and Ski Brule plans a beach party.  

The first new ski area in the Midwest in quite a few years is slated to open in Michigan’s UP next season. Mount Bohemia plans to open Voodoo Mountain for cat skiing, which will make it the first commercial cat skiing area east of the Rockies. 

Starting this weekend into early March, several ski areas across the Midwest are hosting fun- filled spring carnivals, pond skimming, and classic cardboard downhills. Here are some of the best:

While mountaintop and sleigh ride dining have long been popular activities at western ski resorts, three northern Michigan resorts are now embracing the tradition with their own signature style.  Offering interesting cuisine and breathtaking views along the way, Ski Brule, Boyne Highlands and Treetops tender a truly unique experience.

You’ve got a whole summer of warm weather around the corner, but just a precious few weeks left of winter skiing and riding, so why not head for the hills this college spring break and work on that goggle tan? SnoCountry.com has gathered up the country’s best spring break destinations for you and your buds, where there’s no danger of getting sand in your margarita.

It may be the best lesson program that I’ve seen come along in all my years of covering snowsports. Boyne Mountain has come up with a first class lesson--Introduce A Friend To Skiing promotion that includes a pair of boots, rentals for the rest of this season and a Frequent Skier Card.

Many ski resorts across North America have realized the importance of offering spa services to their guests. It’s the epitome of “me” time for women, men, couples and, increasingly, kids. The reasons: time off from skiing or boarding, a way to work off sore muscles or “just 'cause it's there.”

Locally sourced ingredients and stunning views make for some of SnoCountry.com’s best mountain top dining destinations. Many offer unique modes of transportation to the restaurant, including sleigh or snowcat rides, making getting there part of the experience, and intimate gatherings that create the opportunity for guests to mingle with other diners and compare notes after a day on the slopes.

UPDATE (Jan. 27, 2015) Six University of Michigan fraternities and sororities have now been suspended by their national offices after causing thousands of dollars worth of damage at two ski resorts, according to university officials.

ORIGINAL STORY: Fraternity and sorority members from the University of Michigan were allegedly involved in causing extensive damage at Treetops Resort and Boyne Highlands in Michigan.

Women are taking center stage at several ski areas around the Heartland over the next few weeks as seven resorts are hosting female specific events and clinics this coming weekend and next month. Leading off are a couple Indiana ski areas, Perfect North Slopes and Paoli Peaks, which are hosting events this weekend.

One of the better ski hills in northern Michigan has always been Shanty Creek's Schuss Mountain slopes, but you really didn’t have slopeside accommodations unless you stayed in the aging village.

Food lovers who also enjoy getting out in the snow, take note. Treetops Resort is hosting two new dinner outings this month and next combining cross country skiing and sleigh rides. Over the river and through the woods, off to a cabin we go to enjoy a Skiable Feast or a Wilderness Sleigh Ride Dinner. Eat all you want and burn calories along the way.

Big things are happening in Michigan’s UP, a.k.a. Big Snow Country where they receive on average close to 20 feet of snow per winter. They’ve already received close to 13 feet this season.

It’s not often an attractive offer for Midwest skiers and riders comes along including airfare, but Chicago skiers and riders including those in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin should check out the latest offer from Michigan’s Homestead Resort and Bay Mountain.

The first time I visited Boyne Mountain on a ski trip with the Dayton Ski Club it was the mid-1970s, and you either skied or sat in the lounge watching skiers coming down the slopes. Today there is so much more to choose from on a winter visit.

Michigan residents who have wanted to give winter sports a try may not find a better deal. Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) and McDonald’s Restaurants have teamed up to offer an affordable lesson program for both adults and children to give snowsports a try this winter. 

The holiday period across the upper Midwest looks good for a snowy holiday at least according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac The good news for skiers and snowboarders is some destination ski resorts are offering attractive lift and lodging packages through the holidays. Check them out.

Midwest snowboarders -- get your shred on. The ninth annual So-Gnar Snowboard Camp Tour hits seven Heartland ski areas over the next few weeks. 

With all the early snowfall and great snowmaking weather that invaded northern Michigan in November the slopes are in great shape. Several resorts are offering some nice early season lift and lodging specials. Take advantage.