Situated in southwestern Michigan, Three Rivers is a small town on the confluence of the St. Joseph River and its two tributaries, the: Portage and Rocky rivers. This town is know for its fishing, but during the winter, Three Rivers is less than 30 minutes away from skiing and snowboarding offered at the Swiss Valley Lodge in Jones, Mich. Swiss Valley features a rental shop for guests who do not have their own gear.
The Swiss Valley Ski area features 60 acres of skiable area, which has 11 trails for skiing and snowboarding activities. The level of difficulty for the slopes ranges from the beginners' "green-colored" runs and the "black-colored" runs for experienced skiers. Swiss Valley's longest run is 1,800 feet. The resort provides seven lifts for transportation up the mountain. Of these lifts, four of them are rope tows, two are quad chairs and one is a triple chair. Lights are on the slopes, which offer opportunities for night skiing.
This ski resort's season runs from mid-December through early March, depending on the amount of snowfall. During the weekdays, Swiss Valley is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The resort opens an hour earlier on Saturdays at 9 a.m., but closes at 7 p.m. on Sundays. Swiss Valley also has half-days, where the hours of operation fluctuate. Half-days are reserved for holidays, such as Christmas, New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Day. Option for tickets include season passes or full-day passes.
Rentals for ski and snowboarding equipment are available at Swiss Valley Ski Area. Equipment includes ski boots, skis and snowboards. The ski area offers discounts on rentals for military personnel, senior citizens and children five years and younger. The rentals last for a full day. Swiss Valley offers specials throughout the week, including "Take a Friend Skiing Day," which allows two people to rent equipment for the price of one, and "Afternoon Delight," where guests receive discounts for ski equipment rental from noon to 3 p.m.
When guests at Swiss Valley take a break from skiing and snowboarding activities, they can dine at the ski area's cafe. The cafe has a casual atmosphere and starts serving breakfast a half-hour before the slopes open. Lunch items, such as hot dogs and chicken strips, are available throughout the day. Swiss Valley's guests also have access to the ski area's game room, which features arcade video games. The Fireside Lounge is an indoor, stone fire pit for guests who want to warm themselves after several hours of skiing.
