By David Fleet
Editor
The first skiable snow fall is several months away—but Mark Tibbits, general manager of Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort can’t wait.
Earlier this month, Tibbits announced negotiations are ongoing for a land swap with neighboring property owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources of about 6.39 acres to create a new 250 foot vertical raise-1,300 foot long ski run fully visible to nearby I-75.

“The lines are drawn and the survey is all set for the new slope—our 20th at Mt. Holly,” said Tibbits. “There is still some gravel mining ongoing at the bottom of the hill but they should be done in 2022. So, it’s moving forward and it will be one of the highest and longest slopes in Southeastern Michigan. The new run will add some freshness to this part of the state and add a nice steep long run as well.”
The new ski run, which is yet to be named, is similar to the 900 foot Thunderbolt slope for advanced skiers. Since the base of the new slope is separated from the other runs at Mt. Holly, a new ski lift will be needed for the run. As a result, the chair lift from the White Lighting slope will be moved and a high speed detachable lift will be built, added Tibbits.
Since opening in 1956, Mt. Holly has added several new slopes. In 1975 the White Lighting slope opened followed by Thunderbolt in 1985. That same year expansions to the lodge were completed. In 1987, the Dixie-Doodle slope was reconfigured creating the current Mozart slope.
“We are very excited about our growth and the upcoming ORV park to our north,” he said.
Jon Noyes, principal planner for the Oakland County Parks and Recreation said the land trade would be important to the area.
“The results is no net loss of land for Mt Holly or the DNR Park,” said Noyes. “It’s trading (hill) vertical and drop—from high to low toward the (gravel) mine. The ORV park would get the south facing side of the mountain about 100 vertical feet.”
On April 2, 2019 the Oakland County Board of Commissioners OK’d a 20-year operating agreement, with a 10-year additional option, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Under the agreement, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission will operate the ORV Park, located in Groveland and Holly townships, in partnership with the MDNR.
Jason Fleming, DNR chief resource protection and promotion section said the process is not official yet, however, the parties are favorable with the land swap.
“The exchange will provide a buffer between the slopes (of Mt. Holly) in two areas and the ORV Park,” he said. “The current mining on the property will have to completed prior the exchange. That will still take some time.”
The current plan, for Oakland County’s 14th park is to finalize design by this fall, complete any construction in the spring of 2020 and have the park open by July 2020.
The ORV park incorporates 235 acres on property once mined for gravel. The MDNR reported in December 2014 a grant for $2.9 million was approved from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to purchase the property, however, only a portion of the grant was used so far. Currently, about 145 acres of the 235 will be included in the first phase of the ORV park. Some of the remaining acreage is still mined by area companies.
“The exciting thing is that Mt Holly officials have been very interested in supporting the ORV project,” added Noyes. “The DNR is working on leasing the Mt. Holly parking this summer to serve as an entrance to the ORV park. The parking lot will allow ORV users to enter at Mt. Holly off Dixie Highway and purhcase tickets to the ORV Park. It’s a cost saving to the ORV park by not having to make that investment at this time. The goal is that the ORV park is self-sufficient and eliminate any tax revenue spent on the park. The ORV park was purchased with a trust fund from the revenues off state land with no tax dollars. The park will operate on the purchase of the ORV permits sold.”