Dust off you skis and wax your snowboard, it’s time to go to the slopes and enjoy winter. The Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort is a longtime favorite for Oakland County and it offers a wide range of terrain for every skill level. General Manager, Robert Shick, tells us “Pine Knob has a 
natural progression in the beginner area … it’s really what brings out the families.” They have three terrain parks, a quarter mile long intermediate run, and The Wall – a run that will challenge even the best skiers and boarders in Michigan.
The Resort
The cafeteria has hot and cold food and drinks, a complete view of the beginner area, and a fireplace to warm-up. There is full-service lounge for adult beverages and it too has a wonderful panoramic view of the beginner area. You can keep tabs on your little ones and watch the other skiers and snowboarders – it can be very entertaining. The bar does not serve food, but you may purchase food in the cafeteria and bring that into the bar to enjoy.
Pine Knob suggests you use the free ski corral to store your equipment when you come inside. They offer lockers inside on the lower level. Upstairs near the cafeteria and lounge is the ski shop; it’s a valuable resource should you forget your hat or need a pair of gloves. They also wax and tune equipment. Free wireless Internet is available throughout the resort.
The rental department has all the equipment needed to learn to ski or snowboard. They also rent helmets and helmets are a good idea for any skill level. If you need to rent equipment, purchase both your lift ticket and rental form from the ticket counter on the lower level.
Learn to Ski or Snowboard
The Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard School is topnotch. Private lessons are available anytime for skiers and snowboarders. From first timers to experienced skiers – they can help any skill level brush-up or improve. An hour private lesson is the very best way to get started. Skiers start as early as three-years-old and snowboarders start around age seven.
They also have structured group programs to learn the sport. One of the popular programs is “Kindersparks” for ages five to 10 and it is offered on Saturdays. Several school groups and clubs meet weekday evenings. Contact your child’s school to find out the details. The “patch program” offered through local schools is a great family-friendly way to learn for ages seven through 18. It allows students to progress based on their skill level in a group setting and the patches inform the lift operators if the student can go on a particular run. This way a child is only skiing or snowboarding on terrain they are ready for and non-skiing parents can feel better about their child being on the slopes.
The ski school is located between the ticket counter and the rental department on the lower level. Visit them for details on all the learn to ski programs and to purchase lessons.
Racing Programs
Pine Knob has a race camp between Christmas and New Year’s. This is a wonderful way for young skiers to build their skills. “Any young racer can benefit from the holiday race camp,” according to Pete Driscoll, Rochester Adams Race Coach. Racers can come one day or more days during the camp.
Adult racing leagues are forming now and run on Tuesday evenings. NASTAR Racing takes place on Saturdays and Sundays and is open to anyone that likes to go fast. There are also programs for middle and high school racers. All race programs run through the ski school desk.
Plan Your Visit
Open everyday weather permitting until Mid-March
Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort
7778 Sashabaw Road Clarkston MI 48348
Pine Knob Snowline: (800) 642-7669
Office: (248) 625-0800
By Michael Dwyer
About Michael Dwyer