Sugar Loaf’s sweet second chance: Michigan’s abandoned ski resort set to be its next great outdoor destination
Posted By: mlive on August 13, 2025. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
It’s been nearly a month since the Leelanau Conservancy announced it was deep into a quiet fundraising campaign to purchase the old Sugar Loaf ski area in Northern Michigan.
The goal: Reshape this once-shuttered resort with its fantastic views into an Up North recreation jewel for everyone to enjoy.
And while it’s an ambitious project, the Conservancy unveiled the news with a big side of hopefulness. The current landowner had agreed to gift the 285 acres to the organization. And of the $8 million needed to bring to life and endow their vision for a next-level outdoor destination, less than $2 million still needed to be raised.
Enter the public phase of the fundraising campaign. And the Conservancy’s recent listening tour – community meetings where members shared their plans for the iconic property and fielded people’s questions about the amenities, trails and timelines.
And yes – skiing is coming back to Sugar Loaf under this plan. It will just be a little more adventurous for some downhill buffs.
If the fundraising is completed and the property is officially purchased later this year, then work on the land can begin in 2026. All of the old ski infrastructure demolition and clean-up work has already been completed.
“Our team has the opportunity to revitalize this beloved property and open it to the public, so everyone can explore and enjoy the wonder of Leelanau’s beauty,” the Conservancy said.
“Every dollar donated goes directly toward creating trails, universal access features, ecological restoration, and establishing the long-term care that will keep Sugar Loaf protected for you, your loved ones, and the community. Forever.”
To donate to the project and read more about Sugar Loaf’s future, check out the Conservancy’s project website here.
Want to know more about the project and what’s ahead for the place once known as “Michigan’s most famous abandoned ski resort”? Here are the highlights:
1. The Leelanau Conservancy is raising $8 million to transform Sugar Loaf into a multi-use outdoor recreation area
The Leelanau Conservancy has launched a fundraising drive to purchase and transform the former ski resort, with less than $2 million left to raise of the $8 million needed. The current landowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged to donate the property once fundraising is complete. The conservancy aims to hit its fundraising goal by the end of this year, at which point ownership will transfer, allowing recreation improvements to begin in 2026.
2. The reimagined Sugar Loaf will offer year-round outdoor activities beyond traditional skiing
Plans for the property include an extensive trail system for hiking (including an accessible all-abilities trail), mountain biking trails, a stepway to the summit offering sweeping views, a children’s nature playscape, a sledding hill and two pavilions as gathering spaces. While downhill skiing with lifts won’t return, the plan does include cross-country skiing and “human-powered backcountry skiing,” where visitors can hike up designated areas and ski down.
3. The project represents a community-focused revival after decades of abandonment
After closing in March 2000, Sugar Loaf sat vacant for over 15 years, earning the nickname “Michigan’s Most Famous Abandoned Ski Resort.” It was sold in 2016 to a California developer with plans to restore it as a ski resort, but those plans never materialized. In late 2020, the property was sold to an undisclosed buyer who cleaned up the property but didn’t reveal future plans. The Conservancy hosted community information sessions on July 30 and Aug. 5 to share their vision and gather input.
4. The transformation focuses on ecological restoration alongside recreation
The funds being raised will support both the development of recreational facilities and the ecological restoration of the land. The Conservancy emphasizes that their vision “prioritizes restoration and recreation” with the goal of creating “trails that last, facilities that welcome everyone, and stewardship that will keep Sugar Loaf thriving for generations.” The former airstrip and golf course associated with the original resort are separate properties and are not included in this transformation project.
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