Ski season is close. Schuss Mountain, Bellaire's home hill at Shanty Creek Resorts, has posted its projected dates and prices for 2026–27, and we pulled them together here so you can plan a trip without digging through five pages. For the mountain itself (trails, lifts, lessons and après-ski), see our Schuss Mountain ski guide.
Everything below depends on snow and weather. Shanty Creek updates its pages through the season, so check before you drive up.
Key dates for 2026–27
| What | Projected date |
|---|---|
| Opening day | Saturday, December 5, 2026 |
| Daily skiing begins | Saturday, December 12, 2026 |
| Alpine tubing opens (Summit Mountain) | Saturday, December 19, 2026 |
| Night skiing begins | Saturday, December 26, 2026 |
| Nordic Center opens (Schuss Village) | Saturday, December 26, 2026 |
| Last day of Nordic skiing | Saturday, March 13, 2027 |
| Last day of tubing | Sunday, March 14, 2027 |
| Closing day | Monday, March 22, 2027 |
Opening day lands on the same Saturday as Bellaire's Light Up the Night parade, so if the snow cooperates you can ski in the morning and catch the parade downtown that evening.
Holiday periods
Shanty Creek's holiday dates are December 26, 2026 through January 2, 2027, January 16–17, 2027 (MLK weekend) and February 13–14, 2027 (Presidents' Day weekend). Holiday pricing applies, the mountain is at its busiest, and these are the weekends that book up first for lodging.
Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9am – 4:30pm |
| Monday and Tuesday | 10am – 4:30pm |
| Wednesday through Saturday | 9am – 9pm |
| Holidays | 9am – 9pm |
| MLK Day and Presidents' Day | 9am – 4:30pm |
Night skiing runs Wednesday through Saturday, plus holidays, once it starts on December 26. There's no night skiing Sunday through Tuesday outside the holiday dates.
Lift ticket prices
These are Shanty Creek's posted window rates for 2026–27. Saturdays are priced the same as holidays.
| Ticket | Holidays and Saturdays | Sun–Fri, non-holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18–61) | $115 | $95 |
| Senior (62–69) | $105 | $84 |
| Teen (13–17) | $105 | $84 |
| Junior (9–12) | $90 | $71 |
| Kids 8 and under, and 70+ | $10 | $10 |
| Night only, 5pm – 9pm | $54 | $42 (Wed–Fri) |
| Magic Carpet only | $10 | $10 |
Kids 8 and under and skiers 70 and up pay $10 for night tickets too. The $10 rate for little ones is one of the best family deals in Michigan skiing. See Shanty Creek's ticket page for current prices before you buy.
Weekly deals
Shanty Creek runs a deal almost every day of the week. They're valid December 13, 2026 through March 14, 2027, but not on December 27, January 17 or February 14. They aren't sold online, so buy them in person at the mountain.
- Super Sundays: $65 for a lift ticket plus rental, noon to 4:30pm at Cedar River Village. Registration starts at 11:30am. A good way for a beginner to try it without buying a full-day ticket.
- Manic Mondays: $46 lift tickets and $46 rentals, 10am to 4:30pm.
- Two-for-Tuesdays: two lift tickets for $95, 10am to 4:30pm. Bring a buddy.
- KHQ Ski Nights on Wednesdays: $24 lift tickets and $24 rentals from 5pm to 9pm, starting January 6, 2027.
- Thank You Thursdays: $50 lift tickets and $50 rentals all day, or $24 each from 5pm to 9pm, starting January 7, 2027.
- Sardine Special: $150 for a whole carload, on MLK Day (Monday, January 18, 2027) and Presidents' Day (Monday, February 15, 2027). Redeem it at the Day Lodge near the yellow chairlift.
On Christmas Day, Shanty Creek's calendar lists $10 lift tickets from 11am to 4:30pm, with Santa on the slopes. Confirm the details on the special offers page or call the resort at 866.486.7790.
Season passes
If you'll ski more than four or five days, the SuperPass is worth a look. The early price runs through November 24, 2026.
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| SuperPass, adult | $529 through Nov 24, then $565 |
| SuperPass, teen or senior | $489 through Nov 24, then $505 |
| SuperPass, youth (9–12) | $345 through Nov 24, then $359 |
| SuperPass, 8 and under or 70+ | $40 |
| College or military | $325 |
| SuperSaver Midweek (Mon–Fri, not Dec 26 – Jan 2) | $245 |
| Cross-country only (ages 9–69) | $104 through Nov 24, then $116 |
SuperPass holders also get Shanty Creek's Nordic trails, one bring-a-friend lift ticket (not on the $40 passes), and discounts on lessons and retail. Kids 8 and under and skiers 70 and up get a season pass for $40.
Tubing and Nordic
- Alpine tubing is at Summit Mountain, Shanty Creek's other hill: Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday and holidays 10am to 10pm, Sunday and holiday Mondays 10am to 4pm. It's the go-to for kids who aren't skiing yet.
- The Nordic Center at Schuss Village opens December 26 (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Shanty Creek has about 9.5 km of Nordic trails, and SuperPass holders ski them free. More in our guide to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near Bellaire.
How we'd plan a ski trip this season
- Pick a non-holiday weekend if you can. January and early March weekends outside the holiday dates are cheaper and quieter, and mid-winter is usually when there's the most snow on the ground.
- Arrive on a Friday after December 26 and ski under the lights your first night.
- Book lodging early for the holidays. Christmas week, MLK and Presidents' Day weekends tend to go first.
- Stay close. Less winter driving means more runs. Our ski weekend itinerary has a full plan.
Frequently asked questions
When does Schuss Mountain open for 2026–27?
Shanty Creek projects opening day on Saturday, December 5, 2026, with daily skiing from December 12 and closing day on March 22, 2027. All dates depend on snow.
How much is a lift ticket at Schuss Mountain?
For 2026–27, an adult all-day ticket is $115 on holidays and Saturdays and $95 on other days. Kids 8 and under and skiers 70+ pay $10.
What is the cheapest way to ski Schuss?
Weekly deals like Manic Mondays ($46 lift tickets), Two-for-Tuesdays (two tickets for $95) and Wednesday ski nights ($24) are the best value. They're sold in person, not online, and skip a few holiday dates.
When does night skiing start at Schuss?
Night skiing is projected to start December 26, 2026, and runs Wednesday through Saturday until 9pm, plus holidays.
Sources
Dates, hours and prices from Shanty Creek Resorts: hours of operation, lift tickets and season passes, special offers and the Schuss Mountain event calendar. Checked November 1, 2026. Projected dates and prices can change, so confirm with Shanty Creek before you go.