Big Powderhorn Mountain

Michigan UP ski area near Bessemer with 45 trails, 10 lifts, and an even split of beginner-to-advanced terrain.

Key Stats

Vertical Drop
127m (417ft)
The height difference between the top and bottom of the mountain
Summit Elevation
497m (1,631ft)
How high the highest lift or peak reaches
Base Elevation
370m (1,214ft)
Height of the main base village — higher means cooler, drier snow
Annual Snowfall
208cm (82in)
Average annual natural snowfall — higher is better for powder days
Trails
45
Total number of marked runs on the trail map
Lifts
10
Total number of lifts including chairlifts, gondolas, and t-bars
Resort Size
252 acres
Total groomed and patrolled terrain

Terrain Breakdown

The percentage of marked trails in each difficulty level. A higher beginner percentage means more terrain suitable for novices and families; a higher advanced percentage means more challenge for experts.

Beginner
33%
Intermediate
33%
Advanced
33%

Best For

When to go

Average monthly snowfall and snowpack depth, with the typical operating window shaded.

Big Powderhorn Mountain's heaviest snowfall lands in December; the snowpack peaks in February.

snowiestdeepestJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
Snowfall
peaks Dec
Snowpack
peaks Feb
Typical season
Nov – Apr

Snowfall: NOAA, 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Snow depth: NOAA, daily station data (1994–2023).

Location

Big Powderhorn sits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula near Bessemer, in the Gogebic Range country just south of Lake Superior. This is low, forested terrain in a cold continental interior, where lake-effect weather drives much of the winter snow.

Getting there

Moderate to reach

Fly into Houghton (CMX), about 2 hours from the resort by road.

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