Crystal Mountain, near Thompsonville in northern Michigan, was founded in 1956 and developed into a four-season resort and conference center whose grounds are recognized as a census-designated place. Winter is its main attraction, with skiing and snowboarding from around Thanksgiving into early April, supported by natural snowfall and snowmaking. The resort includes 59 downhill slopes, multiple lifts, night skiing, and cross-country skiing. In warmer months it emphasizes golf and family recreation, with two championship courses, biking trails, water activities, and Michigan’s only alpine slide. More than 250 lodging units support its role as both a vacation destination and events venue, and a 2015 expansion underscored its continued growth.