Bittersweet Ski Resort Review

Bittersweet Ski Resort is located about 20 miles north of Kalamazoo and 45 minutes from Grand Rapids. Because of it's snowmaking capacity it is always one of the first ski resorts in south west Michigan to open each year. Other features of the resort are a friendly staff, state of the art grooming equipment, huge lift capacity and night skiing.

Bittersweet has 17 trails that cover 100 acres with a vertical drop of 350 feet. The slopes are served by 12 lifts, 4 triple chairs, 2 double chairs and 6 tows. The slopes are divided by 30% beginner, 60% intermediate and 10% advanced. The longest run is .12 miles. There is also a terrain park that is highly praised by the many locals who spend all winter there.

Advanced skiers will probably want to head straight to the four runs just for them, Choke Cherry, Hawthorne, Poison Ivy Terrain Park and Wild Rose. Intermediate skiers will want to ski Trillium, Snowberry, Juniper, Honeysuckle, Oak and Columbine. The beginner slopes are Creeping Myrtle, Sweet Pea, Apple Blossom, Chickory, Sassafras, Beginner Terrain Park, Sumac, Easy Off, Birch and Babies Breath.

Ski rental and repair is done at Bittersweet's Snowberry Ski Shop. Here you can rent Rossignol skis and Nordica boots. Snowboarders can rent Rossignol boards and Rossignol boots. This is also the place to shop for skis, boots and poles. Also on their shelves are snowboards, gloves, hats, goggles and all types of clothing.

Lessons are available at Bittersweet for adults and children. You can choose between group lessons and private lessons. If you are just learning to ski, or brushing up on your skills, take a class before you hit the slopes. Snowboarding lessons are available also.

There is no lodging at Bittersweet Ski Resort. Nearby Allegan has the Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort, Budget Host Sunset Motel and Suites, Castle in the Country Bed and Breakfast and Kingsley House Bed and Breakfast. In Kalamazoo you can find the Fairfield Inn West Kalamazoo, Red Roof Inn Kalamazoo West and TownePlace Suites.

Racing is big at Bittersweet every Tuesday night at 7 pm. Bittersweet Adult Racing is open to adults 21 or older. Each team consist of 6 skiers and they race on courses set up by the Bittersweet Ski School. They race on a Slalom course and a modified slalom. Kids can get in on the fun also with the Bittersweet Junior Racers. This program is for skiers 6 to 18 years of age. Five high schools in the Kalamazoo area combine to make up the Southwest Michigan HS Racing league where they compete in slalom and giant slalom events.

The other ski resorts near Bittersweet are Timber Ridge just 5 miles away. Swiss Valley is 35 miles away and Cannonsburg is 47.

Bittersweet is located at Bittersweet Ski Area, 600 River Road, Otsego, MI 49078. Their number is 269-694-2820. During the ski season they are open weekdays 10 am to 10 pm. Saturdays are 9 am to 10:30 pm. Sundays are 9 am to 10 pm.

Bittersweet Ski Resort Map & Directions (click on "Marker" for your personalized directions)

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