Justin Hoppe purchased Norway Mountain in August 2023 and has been working since on restoring the site for business.

“The hype around town is just crazy. We are ready to bring it back,” Hoppe said. “We are going to be in a big rush the next couple of weeks getting everything going again.”

Norway Mountain is the realization of a dream for Hoppe, along with wife, Julie.

“It was one of those dreams in the back of my head, to own a ski resort someday,” Hoppe said. “One day I heard on a podcast that (Norway Mountain) was available, so I started doing some research.”

THE VIEW DOWN some of the runs at Norway Mountain ski resort, W4948 Briar Mountain Road in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

The Hoppes, who call Grand Rapids home, took a ride over from their cabin in Naubinway in Mackinac County to see Norway Mountain. It was Julie Hoppe who called the realtor and got the ball rolling.

Before purchasing Norway Mountain, Hoppe owned a landscaping company he started when he was just 14 years old. Hoppe recently sold that business to concentrate on Norway Mountain.

Hoppe now divides his time between Norway and Grand Rapids, but plans to be in Norway nearly full-time as the ski season nears.

Hoppe wants Norway Mountain to be known as a family resort.

“That is our biggest thing — we want to keep it where you do not come here and spend a ton of money and the whole family can actually have fun and not pay thousands of dollars to come ski,” Hoppe said. “We want to make sure the kids have a blast out here.”

THE LODGE AT Norway Mountain ski resort, W4948 Briar Mountain Road in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

A day pass will be $69 for adults and $49 for children and seniors; ages 8 and younger and 75 and older can ski for free. Season passes are only $389 for adults and $349 for children and seniors, he said. A family pass for two adults and two children in the same household is $969.

“It is definitely a little bit different than the other hills that are around here,” Hoppe said. “It is a lot more enclosed with the trees, so that helps with the wind. Then you have the view — having the lodge on top of the hill is awesome.”

Hoppe, along with 10 employees, have been busy getting the hill and lodge in shape for the upcoming season.

Despite sitting vacant for more than six years, the lodge was not in bad shape other than a few leaks and some other minor issues, Hoppe said. Due to being shut down so long, he was required to put in new electrical services at a cost of $150,000, he said.

The hill itself has 17 trails, a verticle drop of 500 feet and 186 acres of skiable terrain. Lifts include one triple, two doubles and three surface lifts, according to online sources.

Hours and days of operation are still being determined. The Norway Mountain website, http://www.norwaymt.com/winter.html, indicates a schedule of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

A big improvement for Norway Mountain will be the addition of several new snowmaking guns, Hoppe said.

“Even if the weather does not cooperate, as long as it is cold enough the new guns will really help us crank some snow out,” Hoppe said. “We will be ready either way.”

The rental department just received a huge shipment of new skis and snowboards as well, Hoppe said.

Norway Mountain will be open all year. The bar and restaurant will have limited hours but an expanded offseason menu and Hoppe plans to have some concerts on the hill.

Hoppe said Norway Mountain is hiring for just about all positions, from staff for the Moosehead bar and restaurant to lift operators, ski instructors, rental and ticket sales. The Norway Mountain Facebook page has a link to apply.

While the ski hill has to wait until weather conditions cooperate, the ski shop is now open 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, selling Norway Mountain merchandise, season passes and used equipment.