Indianhead Mountain

Infobox ski area
name= Indianhead Mountain

picture=
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location= Wakefield, Michigan, N. America
nearest_city= Wakefield, Michigan
lat_degrees=
lat_minutes=
lat_seconds=
lat_direction=
long_degrees=
long_minutes=
long_seconds=
long_direction=
vertical= convert|640|ft|m
top_elevation= convert|1935|ft|m|abbr=on
base_elevation= convert|1297|ft|m|abbr=on
skiable_area= convert|195|acre|km2
number_trails= 28
longest_run= convert|1|mi|km|sing=on
liftsystem= 5 chair lifts, 1 PomaLift, 2 T-Bars, 1 TowRope
lift_capacity= 10,131 skiers/hr
terrainparks= Yes - 1
snowfall= convert|17|ft|m|abbr=on annual
snowmaking= Yes (90%)
nightskiing= No
external_link= indianheadmtn.com

Indianhead Mountain is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Wakefield, Gogebic County. Indianhead Mountain is in an area called "Big Snow Country," named so because of the annual convert|200|in|m|sing=on average snowfall, courtesy of the Lake Effect [cite web|url=http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/elements/lkefsnw3.htm|title=Lake Effect explanation|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=Island Net] from Lake Superior. The area is home to several popular ski resorts.

History

The roots of Indianhead Mountain Resort tie in closely with the past and current economy of the area. In the late 1950s Jack English, an amateur pilot from Chicago, over flew Indian Head Mountain. After seeing the abundant snow and area conditions, he developed Indian Head Mountain Resort. This was the impetus for the local ski industry - in the following years, other resorts opened and the area became a skiing hotspot. Mr. English is credited with creating the ski industry in the area, and shifting the local economy away from the failing Iron Mines to one of the most popular ski destinations in the country. [cite web|url=http://www.llw-ve.com/guestarchive5.htm|title=Local Ski Industry|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=LLw-ve.com] An indication of how important skiing has become to the region is Gogebic Community College's program in ski management, [cite web|url=http://www.gogebic.cc.mi.us/academics/SAM/|title=Gogebic Community College's Ski Management program|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=Gogebic] one of the few in the country. [cite web|url=http://hunts-upguide.com/ironwood___the_gogebic_range.html|title=Area History|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=Hunts-Upguide]

Winter Activities

The area offers Snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing [cite web|url=http://www.crosscountryskier.com/ccsnews/news.php?newsid=70 Cross Country|title=70 Cross Country|publisher=Cross Contry Skier|accessdate=2007-12-21] and other winter activities. The area is best known for downhill alpine skiing. Indianhead itself only offers downhill alpine skiing.

Skiing

Indianhead features runs from very easy greens through double diamond. [cite web|url=http://www.indianheadmtn.com/trail_map.php|title=Trail Map|publisher=Indianhead Mountain|accessdate=2007-12-21] Over 95% of the hill is groomed, and although there is no official tree skiing, adventurous skiers manage it anyway. There are 10 Beginner Green runs (the largest, Voyagers Highway is in itself the size of many Midwest ski areas), [cite web|url=http://www.onthesnow.com/MI/187|title=Run Information|publisher=On The Snow|accessdate=2007-12-21] 7 More Difficult Blue runs, 7 Most difficult Black runs, and 4 Expert Double Diamond runs primarily because of moguls.

The facilities normally found at the hill base are on top of the hill at Indianhead. This means that all skiing begins at the hill top, so your last lift ride for the day is up and off the hill. There are no accommodations at the base of the hill, but there are numerous trailside condos, hill top condos, and rental cabins in the area.

Indianhead is considered to be a family friendly ski area. [cite web|url=http://www.onthesnow.com/drupal/resort_reviews/332 Reviews|title=332 Reviews|publisher=On The Snow|accessdate=2007-12-21] Kids under nine ski free with a paid adult.

Amenities include the typical bars, snack areas and restaurant at the top of the hill, and a large restaurant / snack area at the base of the hill. There's also a ski shop, ski and board rentals, and lockers throughout the lodge.

The mountain is serviced by three double chairlifts, one quad lift, one triple lift, one Poma Lift, two T-bar lifts and a towrope. The T-bar lifts are at the base of some Expert runs.

The hill also offers NASTAR racing and has a ski school with private and group lessons. The NASTAR run has permanent course start and end structures for registration, start, timing, etc. on Sundance.

Summer Activities

Hiking

The mountain is popular in the Summer months with many hiking clubs and groups. Many clubs consider it a difficult, albeit enjoyable hike. [ [http://www.indianheadmtn.com/summer.php] Summer Schedule]

Golf

The 9 hole [ [http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.asp?course=540645] Golf Course Review] golf course opens on May 12th. [ [http://www.indianheadmtn.com/summer.php] Summer Schedule]

Wildlife

In May, the slopes become home to herds of Whitetail deer. [ [http://www.geocities.com/lukefisk.geo/winter.html] Mountain Review]

Location

Indianhead Mountain ski area is located in northwestern Michigan, convert|200|mi|km northeast of Minneapolis St. Paul via I-35 to US 2. convert|110|mi|km from Duluth, convert|1.5|mi|km from Wakefield. [ [http://www.indianheadmtn.com/directions.php] Map and directions]

Photographs

Websites

* [http://www.indianheadmtn.com/ Indianhead Website]
* [http://www.bigsnow.com/ BigSnow Website]
* [http://www.westernup.com/ski/ Resort Guide]
* [http://www.crosscountryskier.com/ccsnews/news.php?newsid=70 Cross Country Skiing]
* [http://www.onthesnow.com/drupal/resort_reviews/332 Unbiased reviews]
* [http://www.westernup.info/ Dept. of Tourism site]
* [http://www.ironwood.com/ironwood_community.html A local business has a great review of area recreations and attractions.]

References