In a comment on our page for Brady’s Hills, Bob reports that at the M-46 location on his 1980 map, there is the notation for a ski area called Winterskol. I had not heard of Winterskol before, but the Western Michigan Region of the National Ski Patrol records that they awarded several 10-year service awards to patrollers from Winterskol in 1980 and 1981. One or two of these people received awards in 1982, 1983, or 1984 as patrolling at Brady’s Hills, so perhaps the area changed names again before they closed, at the end of the 1982-83 season.
On Dec. 30, 1976, The Cass City Chronicle printed the AAA 1977 Guide to Michigan’s 58 Ski Areas which listed Winterskol as having 1 bar lift (Poma, T-bar or J-bar), 7 ropes and 7 runs.
The April, 1981 issue of the Blue and Gold Banner (not a reference to U of M, but to the colors of the flag of the national ski patrol), newsletter of the Western Michigan Region of the NSP reported that Winterskol’s team placed 4th in the 3rd annual Ski Patrol Pentathlon held Feb 3, 1981 at Timber Ridge. They show a picture of the team. The Banner also has an article noting that the area was for sale. It was described as “the steepest, most challenging hill in S.W. Michigan” with an excellent, wide beginners area, new rental stock, brown-bag area, game room, and remodeled cafeteria. The asking price was $299,000 with terms or $249,000 cash.
It appears Brady’s Hills changed its name to Winterskol sometime around 1976 and may have changed back again around 1982. If you have any information about skiing at Winterskol or Brady’s Hills or both, please post it or send it via the directions on the About MILSAP page.
On 12/23/2011, Ken Allen left the following comment:
I skied with my church youth group in February 1977. That was my first time ever. Had a blast and have been skiing since. It had a verticle drop of about 200 feet, the face of the hill was really steep. It was called Winterskol when I was there.