BIG POWDERHORN MOUNTAIN RESORT TRANSITIONS TO NEW OWNERSHIP, ANNOUNCES ON-MOUNTAIN INVESTMENTS FOR 2026-27
Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort has officially entered its next chapter with a transfer of ownership to local ski community members Alex Young and Brent Noren. The acquisition ensures the iconic Upper Peninsula destination remains independently owned and operated by leaders with deep roots in the mountain’s history.
Big Powderhorn Mountain is a 250-acre (1.0 km2) ski resort located in Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, within Bessemer Township and Ironwood Township (between the cities of Bessemer and Ironwood). The mountain is part of the Gogebic Range with a summit of 1,631 ft (497 m) and a base elevation of 1,214 ft (370 m) for a 417 ft (127 m) vertical drop.
It offers 9 chairlifts accessing 45 trails for Alpine skiing and Snowboarding on 253 skiable acres, with an even mix of easy, intermediate, and difficult trail ratings and two terrain parks. The Wolverine Nordic Trail also connects to the resort for cross-country skiing
Brent Noren brings a lifelong connection to the resort as the son of former general manager and owner Bruce Noren. Having grown up on the slopes and worked across various operational roles—ranging from lift maintenance and grooming to resort management—Brent steps into ownership alongside Young with a focus on seamless continuity. Bruce Noren is actively assisting the duo during the transition period to ensure operational stability.
Immediate Investments in Snowmaking Capabilities
Rather than making sweeping changes to the mountain’s structure, the new ownership team is focusing on infrastructure upgrades ahead of the 2026–27 ski season.
Capital improvement efforts are already under way, highlighted by the purchase of eight new snow guns. The additions will bolster the resort’s existing snowmaking infrastructure, complementing the Upper Peninsula’s heavy natural snowfall and helping guarantee reliable early-season snow coverage across its 253 skiable acres.
Focus on Tradition and Independence
Addressing the resort community, co-owner Alex Young emphasized that the takeover is driven by a desire to preserve Big Powderhorn’s family-friendly character rather than implement radical changes:
“We don’t necessarily want to make a big splash, or have a bunch of trumpets about this transition, we are more interested in keeping our noses down and working hard – demonstrating our commitment to doing the absolute best we can for our Big Powderhorn family.
“When we began this, the idea was to preserve Big Powderhorn as an independent, family friendly ski area and put the next generation of ownership and management in the best position to be good stewards of this place and continue it on. Everyone involved was very cautious and careful, because all of us ski here with our families, and all of us care very, very much about maintaining what this place means to so many families who have enjoyed it for so many years.
“It is a tremendous responsibility to everyone that enjoys and cares about Big Powderhorn, and we got extremely lucky in finding the right partner to help us make that happen. Big Powderhorn has generations of families, skiers and snowboarders that have come to the Upper Peninsula to have a fun time on our natural snow, and we want to keep that going forward for many more generations. This isn’t a big change so much as it is that we want to carry those traditions of winter fun on, to keep families enjoying the natural snowfall in the Upper Peninsula for many more generations, so that’s what we intend to do and that’s what we will be working hard this summer and fall on towards another great season at Big Powderhorn.”
Preparation and off-season maintenance projects will continue through the summer and fall as the new management prepares the resort’s 45 runs and 9 chairlifts for the upcoming winter season.
