NORWAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – After a five-year hiatus, the Norway Mountain Ski Resort is set to make a spectacular comeback, rejuvenated under new ownership.
The 164-acre property, once a bustling hub of winter tourism back in the 2000s, is now under the care of a dedicated young family of four. Their ambitious vision aims to revive the resort to its former glory, a time when it was teeming with eager tourists. To achieve this, they’ve embarked on an extensive renovation project that includes the replacement of worn-out carpets, modernizing bathrooms, and reinforcing their team with fresh faces.
Justin Hoppe, the new CEO and one of the co-owners, expressed his long-standing desire to own and operate a ski resort. However, he credits the overwhelming interest and support from the local community as the primary driving force behind this venture. In his own words, he stated, “Really getting it back to the community is my biggest thing. My big goal in life was always to own a ski resort or run one. So when this came up it was one of those big things, that I just wanted to give it back to the community. I talked to quite a few people, and they missed it. So we kind of want to give it back to them. It’s definitely a good place for families to learn,” Hoppe remarked, adding, “Probably in the next month, we’re going to be hiring at least 2–3 people just to help us get going on everything. If we can get some stuff going next year, we’ll be hiring more people. Our goal is probably for next October-November, we’ll have a hundred people on staff, or around a hundred.”
While overseeing the renovation process, the owners plan to shuttle back and forth to the Upper Peninsula from downstate, but they have their sights set on becoming full-time U.P. residents in the future when considering arrangements with their school-age little ones.
The Norway Mountain Ski Resort’s revival promises to bring joy to winter enthusiasts, and breathe new life into the picturesque landscape of Dickinson County.
