Schuss Mountain is about ten minutes from downtown Bellaire, which makes a ski weekend here easy: no long drives, short lift lines on most days, and a cozy house to come back to. Here's how we'd spend three days.
When to go
For the 2026–27 season, Shanty Creek projects opening on December 5, 2026, with daily skiing from December 12 and closing on March 22, 2027. All dates depend on the weather. Holiday periods (December 26 to January 2, and the MLK and Presidents' Day weekends) are the busiest. Full details are in our Schuss 2026–27 season guide.
To save money, ski midweek. Shanty Creek's weekly specials run on weekdays from mid-December to mid-March (not on holidays), including two lift tickets for $95 on Two-for-Tuesdays. They're sold at the ticket window, not online.
Friday: arrive and get set up
- Afternoon: drive up and stock the kitchen. Most of us cook at the house on ski weekends.
- Evening: dinner downtown at Short's Brewing Company or Chloe's, 213 N. Bridge St., then home to the hot tub.
- Gear: sort out rentals and lift tickets tonight so you're on the first chair tomorrow.
Saturday: Schuss Mountain
- Morning: ski Schuss while the groomers are fresh. See our Schuss Mountain guide for the terrain.
- Afternoon: keep skiing, or take the kids tubing. Tubing is at Summit Mountain, projected to open December 19.
- Evening: Night skiing is projected to start December 26. Check the season guide for the schedule.
Sunday: Nordic, snowshoes or one more run
- Morning: try cross-country skiing on Shanty Creek's Nordic trails, or snowshoe at Glacial Hills. See cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
- Or: one more half day on the hill.
- Afternoon: warm up with lunch downtown and head home.
Deals worth planning around
| Deal | What you get |
|---|---|
| Two-for-Tuesdays | Two lift tickets for $95, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Sardine Special | $150 per car on MLK Day and Presidents' Day |
| Christmas Day | $10 lift tickets, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Season pass | Early pricing runs through November 24, 2026 |
See the season guide for every weekly special, times and the fine print, and always confirm with Shanty Creek before you go.
Ski weekend tips
- Watch the forecast and the snow report the week before.
- Pack hand warmers and a dry pair of gloves for day two.
- Bring a sled for the kids. Our homes have room to play in the snow.
- Want other hills? Ski resorts near Bellaire covers Boyne, The Highlands, Nub's Nob and more.
Frequently asked questions
When does Schuss Mountain open for 2026–27?
Shanty Creek projects opening on December 5, 2026, with daily skiing from December 12. Dates depend on the weather.
What is the cheapest day to ski at Schuss?
Weekdays. Two-for-Tuesdays gets you two lift tickets for $95, and other weekday specials run from mid-December to mid-March, except holidays.
Where should we stay for a Schuss ski weekend?
Northwoods Treehaus is at Schuss Mountain Resort, and Alm Haus is about five minutes from the slopes.
Sources
Season dates and deals from Shanty Creek Resorts, including its special offers page, as summarized in our 2026–27 season guide. Restaurant details from our own guides. Checked November 1, 2026.