Located high in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mount Bohemia is famous for its untamed terrain and massive lake-effect snowfall. But soon, the resort could become famous for something else — solar power.
On its Facebook page, Mount Bohemia recently announced that it has scheduled its first meeting on the use of solar power. The meeting, scheduled for July 13, 2026, will help management at Mount Bohemia determine whether solar power makes financial sense for the resort.
The discussion of solar power comes after the resort was recently informed by the Upper Peninsula Power Company that it was the largest consumer of energy by a large margin in Keweenaw County. Despite having no snowmaking, the resort’s chairlifts, lodging, and new Nordic Spa require significant amounts of power, and investing in solar power could help reduce electricity costs in the long run.
“We are only looking at doing Solar if it makes financial sense, but the solar energy companies we talk to say our energy demand makes us a good fit for solar production, especially in the summer and fall seasons,” the resort wrote in its post.
Reactions to the potential implementation of solar power have been largely positive. Mount Bohemia is widely known for its public dialogue on social media, and in this case, the public seems to agree with the resort’s proposal on solar power.
SnowBrains Newsletter
Award-winning journalism, resort reports, powder forecasts and industry deep dives from the world’s largest independent snowsports outlet.
Join thousands of snow lovers.
No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
You’re in!
Thanks for signing up. The best ski news is on its way.
“Thanks for looking into this. I wish more ski areas would consider it. Being as green as you can matters,” one commenter wrote.
“Do it! Good for your environment!” another said.
While solar power has numerous benefits, some challenges go along with putting up panels at resorts like Bohemia. The resort regularly receives hundreds of inches of snowfall each year, and snow covering the panels can reduce the amount of sunlight they receive. Additionally, Michigan winters bring heavy cloud cover and shorter daylight hours, further blocking the panels from sunlight. As a result, solar production would likely be at its lowest during the winter, the same time the resort’s energy demand is the highest.
Despite those challenges, solar power could still help Mount Bohemia in the long-term. The resort operates its outdoor pool, Nordic Spa, and lodging during the offseason. Solar panels could reduce the mountain’s reliance on traditional electricity during the summer months, lowering its expenses overall.
The expenses of solar power have been reduced dramatically as well, making it more feasible for resorts to implement systems. In the past decade, solar costs have dropped by 70% to just $800 per kilowatt in 2025. Since 1970, the cost has dropped roughly 99%. Technological advancements have also increased the efficiency of solar power from 6% in the 1950s to over 25% today.
If Mount Bohemia decides to move forward with its project, the system can be designed to help mitigate the challenges. Resorts typically install panels at an angle, allowing snow to slide off more easily to keep the panels receiving sunlight.
Some of Bohemia’s guests have also mentioned installing the solar panels over the resort’s parking lots. That way, Mount Bohemia can use solar power without taking up additional land, while also providing shade in the summer and keeping snow off guests’ cars in the winter.
Ski resorts across the United States have increasingly turned towards solar power to both lower environmental impact and help reduce power costs. If Mount Bohemia decides to install panels, it would join dozens of resorts that are doing the same.
In 2018, Colorado’s Wolf Creek became the country’s first fully solar-powered ski area. Other resorts, like Beaver Creek, Colorado, and Copper Mountain, Colorado, operate large, on-site solar panel arrays that help power chairlifts and lodging.
Mount Bohemia has not yet released the details of its meeting or its final decision. But the discussion of solar power at Michigan’s largest resort shows the growing interest in green energy at a time when many resorts face operational challenges.
Share your story:
