TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse Ski Club is seeking tens of thousands of dollars in marijuana revenue funds to make improvements to the city-owned Hickory Hills Ski Area. It’s for their Investing in Youth Mental Health and Community Resilience Through Winter Recreation project. It’s a topic on the agenda of the next Hickory Hills Advisory Committee meeting Thursday.
The non-profit club is asking for $61,500 from the Grand Traverse County Marihuana Revenue Funds to help make the improvements that will be part of a total $96,000. The other $34,500 comes from other sources of funding.
According to their application for the funding, these are the improvement they want to make:
1. Snowmaking Infrastructure: In partnership with the city, install a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) system and one additional snowmaker to ensure consistent snowmaking is available to support skiable conditions. This will allow uninterrupted access to recreational skiing and programming during Michigan’s unpredictable winters, providing youth with reliable access to outdoor activity—a proven buffer against seasonal affective disorder.
2. Innovative Snomax Technology: To combat the effects of climate change, the Snomax product allows for snowmaking during warmer temperatures than mother nature and is successfully utilized at many ski areas in Northern Michigan. We will utilize a volunteer-led team to build the shed to house snowmaking additives and include electrical and heating components. The Snowmax receptacle and pump is provided in-kind, and the product itself will be purchase annually. This low-cost solution expands snowmaking capacity and supports safe, accessible recreation.
3. On-Hill Radios: Real-time communication tools for coaches and volunteers will improve on-hill safety and coordination, fostering a secure environment for children and peace of mind for families.
4. Storage Solutions: Funding will support a shipping container to house equipment and supplies with the growing Club, improving operational efficiency, asset management and security.
5. Race Timing System Replacement: This technology investment will replace the outdated and frequently breaking timing system currently in place. The current system is no longer in production, nor supported so much be completed replaced. By doing so, we will modernize race operations, enhancing the community experience for athletes and spectators alike.
According to the club, the investment will do more than just make equipment and safety upgrades, but could also improve the mental health of area youth. They cite data from the Grand Traverse County Strategic Plan that shows Michigan ranks near the bottom when it comes to youth mental health, with 5.5% of them suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months. The Grand Traverse Ski Club contends the investment will also provide an “antidote” for structured and inclusive recreation.
The next Hickory Hills Advisory Commission meeting is Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Hickory Hills Lodge, 2000 Randolph Street, Traverse City.