MILSAP, the Michigan Lost Ski Areas Project is intended to be patterned after NELSAP, the New England Lost Ski Areas Project. NELSAP was formed around 1998 to memorialize the ski areas in New England that were no longer serving the skiing public. Over the years, they have identified almost 700 areas in New England and nearby states. For some, they just have the name, for others the the location and dates of operation. For a few, they have detailed information including trail maps, brochures, press clippings, personal reminiscences, etc.
For a little more information about MILSAP, listen to our interview on Interlochen Public Radio on January 6, 2012. The interview was taped on the afternoon of January 5. At the time it was airing on Friday morning, I was busy fracturing my collarbone in a ski accident. Should have stayed inside to do the interview live.
We would like to accumulate as much information as possible about former ski areas in Michigan, We especially wish to establish exact location, dates of operation, lift configuration, vertical, and number of trails. If we can get pictures or movies taken while the area was operating, or brochures or trail maps, that would be a real bonus. If we can get information, pictures, etc. documenting what happened to the area after it closed, so much the better.
If you have items in digital form, you can send them to misap@comcast.net. If you have hard-copy items you cannot digitize, please email me and I will get you my snail mail address. You can send copies or, if you send originals and so request, I will copy them and return the originals.
You are most welcome to post information, speculation, or reminiscences on our pages. If you post something related to a specific ski area, it will get seen by more people who are interested in that area if you post it on the page devoted to the area. If you post it on this page, or our home page, or one of the regional pages, most people will not see it.
Hello,
I Grew up in the 60′s and 70′s in Northern Michigan. My family skied at Sheridan Valley near Lewiston every weekend. The Ski area is now a sportmans club. Do you have any pictures of Sheridan Valley?
You should check out our page on Sheridan Valley, but no, we do not yet have pictures of Sheridan Valley when it was operating as a ski area. Do you? If so, we’d love to have copies of them. See the information on the About MILSAP page (above) to send them to us.
Regarding the bald mountain ski area in Lake Orion. While I never skied there, and don’t know positively where this was located, I do remember seeing what was explained to me the old ski area, along with what appeared to be the old lift equipment. It was actually located just north of the Palace of Auburn Hills, on the east side of Lapeer Rd. The area now is a business park, and most of the hill has been leveled by earth movers. However, as one is driving North on Lapeer rd., passing the Palace, Lapeer Rd. climbs up a hill. I believe that this was where the top of Bald Mountain ski area was.
Bald Mountain was the highest spot on the drive north on M24 from Pontiac to Lapeer. It was not a ski area, but rather the highest spot in the region until it was sacrificed to become a gravel pit.