Lift tickets, season passes and rentals at the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex will cost more for the 2026-27 ski season.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the Ontonagon County facility's first price increase since 2018 on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Adult full-day lift tickets jump from $45 to $60, and adult season passes rise from $225 to $280, according to the DNR and WBUP. The season is expected to start in late December.

The DNR said the increases were determined by evaluating regional market comparisons and inflation. State park operations, including the ski complex, are largely driven by user fees and royalty revenues, with only 3% supported by Michigan's General Fund.

Park supervisor Mike Knack said in the announcement that the increases reflect careful consideration.

"These Consumer Price Index-adjusted increases will allow us to continue the investment in the operations and maintenance that ensure quality visitor experiences," he said.

Youth full-day tickets rise from $35 to $40, according to the DNR's daily tickets page. Adult half-day tickets are $45. A bunny hill ticket costs $10.

Kids 17 and under ski free with the purchase of an adult full-day ticket, though proof of age is required and the deal does not cover rental fees.

Full-day snowboard or downhill ski rentals increase from $30 to $40. Group lessons go from $25 to $30 an hour per person.

Season pass buyers can save during an early-bird sale running Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Nov. 6. Adult passes drop to $250 and youth passes to $100 during that window. A family pass covering up to five members is $500 during the sale, compared to $560 at the regular rate.

Children 5 and under are included free on family passes.

Over the past six years, the DNR said it has invested an estimated $1.4 million in the complex, funding chairlift maintenance, new grooming equipment, mountain rescue gear and updated rental inventory. The agency also recently dedicated $500,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding specifically for triple chairlift maintenance.

The complex sits inside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and features 20 downhill runs, a natural-terrain park, glades and groomed trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. Groomed winter trails carry no additional fee.

Daily lift tickets are sold in person only at the ticket office. Season passes and early-bird tickets can be purchased by calling 906-885-5275 or visiting park headquarters, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Coming up: The early-bird season pass sale opens Monday, Oct. 26 and runs through Friday, Nov. 6. The 2026-27 ski season at the Porcupine Mountains is expected to begin in late December.