One of three ski areas in Oakland County, Pine Knob welcomes skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels with 14 trail runs, six chairlifts, four rope tows, three terrain parks, and two wonder carpets. Brave the well-groomed 300 foot vertical, attend a lesson, or relax in the lodge. Pine Knob, “Motor City’s closest ski resort,” is a short drive away for hours of outdoor fun and excitement!
Located in Independence Township, Pine Knob is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays. Check out this video of their slopes before you visit:
The Slopes
Skiers and snowboarders of all skills can experience excitement at Pine Knob. Their 14 trail runs vary from beginner to expert in difficulty and have names like “Cedar Bowl, Tamarack, and The Wall.” Three terrain parks across the resort contain an assortment of features. Skiers and snowboarders searching for speed can stick to the groomed trail runs, while riders searching for big air and tricks can attempt freestyle jumps in the terrain parks. View this trail map of Pine Knob for a visual of the slopes:
Programs and Activities
The Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard School hosts private and semi-private lessons to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, as well as a special “Kindersparks” lesson for kids ages 5-10. Moms Pops & Tots gives preschoolers and their caregivers an opportunity to ski together. Boomers and Groomers is a senior skiing group that meets on Tuesday mornings for two hours of instruction, lunch, and free skiing. Their Student Patch Programs let students ski and snowboard at reduced rates and partake in student lessons.
Several high school downhill ski racing teams ride on Pine Knob’s slopes. In addition, the Thunderbolt Training Centers offers multiple competitive, training programs, including the Middle School Program and the Junior Development Racing Program. A purely competitive program they provide is the Sunday Morning Race Series that begins on January 13th at Pine Knob and alternates with Mt. Holly for seven total races. Adult racers can enjoy the New Belgium Adult League and women can join the Monday Night Pine Knob Slalom Sisters race program.
Pine Knob participates in two Michigan Snowsports Industries Association programs: Cold is Cool and Discover Michigan Skiing. Cold is Cool lets fourth and fifth graders ski at a discount. Parents can purchase a $20 passport that provides them with multiple lift tickets or trail passes to over 25 ski areas, including two tickets for Pine Knob. The passport also includes 20% off a helmet purchase and $20 off a $100 purchase at participating Michigan ski shops. Discover Michigan Skiing offers an affordable introduction to the sports of skiing and snowboarding thanks to a collaboration between McDonald’s restaurants and ski areas across the state. The $35 cost includes a ski or snowboard rental, a beginner lesson, and a lift ticket for Pine Knob.
Pine Knob has a full lodge with three fireplaces, two restaurants, a bar, the Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Shop, a Rental Shop, and a fire pit on the deck for a break from the slopes. Pine Knob is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays.
Pine Knob is located at 7778 Sashabaw Road, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348. View the current status of their slopes here. For ticket prices and deals, visit their rates page. For more information, visit their website. Contact the Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard School by phone at (248) 625-0800 extension 4 or email at pkskischool@gmail.com, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Happy skiing and snowboarding!
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