Two Michigan friends are hoping for the serendipitous combo of fresh powder and clear roads this weekend as they attempt to navigate Michigan’s mitten to break the Guinness World Record for the most ski areas skied in a 24-hour period. Skier Kyle Kelly from Caledonia and snowboarder friend Brad Dykstra of Hopkins make their attempt from noon on Saturday, February 26 through noon on Sunday, February 27.

Leelanau County’s own The Homestead (pictured) will host the duo on Saturday at 7:10pm. Their timing is planned down to the minute, in a coordinated effort with ski staff, as they only have about 10 minutes at each ski hill/resort. (After their one run just past at dusk at The Homestead, they depart for Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville by 7:20pm.)

The previous record of 17 was set in Japan by a Canadian and Australian in 2017.  Kelly and Dykstra will be going big and attempting to break the record with 22 ski areas.

Kelly explains that they are uniquely poised to break the attempt: “According to the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) no matter where you are in the state, you are within a two-hour drive of a ski area.”

The pair will begin their route in Harbor Springs at Nub’s Nob at noon on Saturday, February 26, then head to The Highlands, then Challenge Mountain in Walloon Hills, Boyne Mountain in Boyne City, Treetops Resort and Otsego Resort in Gaylord, Hanson Hills in Grayling, Shanty Creek (Schuss Mountain slopes) in Bellaire, Mt. Holiday and Hickory Hills in Traverse City, The Homestead in Glen Arbor, Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac, and Snow Snake in Harrison.  They then drive downstate and on Sunday, at 4:15 a.m., they begin again with Mt. Holly in Holly, Pine Knob in Clarkston, Alpine Valley in White Lake, Mount Brighton in Brighton, Timber Ridge in Goebles, Bittersweet in Otsego, Mulligan’s Hollow in Grand Haven, and ending at 11:30 at Cannonsburg in Belmont. 

“We will arrive at some of the ski areas during times when they are not open for skiing,” says Kelly. “We are truly thankful to all these ski areas for going out of their way to accommodate us,” he added.

“Michigan is tied with New York for the most ski areas of any state,” says Mickey MacWilliams, MSIA executive director.  “It’s the perfect place to attempt this feat because skiing is so accessible here,” she adds.

Pictured: The Homestead in Glen Arbor, by Chris Klau