Guide to Experiencing the "Big Four" Ski Resorts near Detroit - Winter 2026 Edition

Alpine. Brighton. Holly. Pine Knob. You know them, you've skied them, and generations have loved them. But what makes each resort stand out from the pack? Are there any special features, offerings, or other traits that could influence buying one lift ticket over another? We dive into these questions and more in our official Guide to the "Big Four" Ski Resorts near Detroit - updated for the Winter 2026 Season!

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time.

Sharpen your skis, wax your boards, update your helmet, and buy that jacket you've had your eyes on. The snow makers are blowing - and as of today the real stuff is FINALLY falling again - which means winter has arrived in Detroit!

As excited as that makes us, let's hit the pause button real quick and look outside the window. While we at Expedition Detroit HQ do not see enough of that sweet, fluffy powder to kick off our wishlist of backcountry skiing and snowshoeing adventures, the snow's delayed arrival highlights an under-appreciated element of our region:

We have FOUR premiere ski resorts within an hour's drive of our near-sea level city.

Our "Big Four" resorts - Alpine Valley, Mt. Brighton, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob - have formed the bedrock of Detroit's wintry outdoor economy for generations, providing slope access to generations that would otherwise need to travel hundreds of miles for the same experiences.

This article provides much-overdue recognition and information regarding each of the Big Four. Beyond providing stats and recommendations, we also want to highlight what makes each of these resorts stand out in their own right. New for the 2025-2026 season, we've also included information on each resort's can't-miss events happening throughout this winter.

Spoiler alert: you're going to want to ski all four by the time that you finish this article.

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