Michigan's Otsego is opening to the public for the first time in 60 years this month.

Some of the world’s top Olympic snowboarders training in North America for the Vancouver games will head outside of the traditional mountain areas, hitting the pipe at Michigan’s Otsego Ski Club, which is opening to the public for the first time in over a half-century.

Top board riders from the American, Japanese, Australian and Kiwi Olympic teams will gather at the club in Gaylord, Michigan for practice sessions through December and January, leading up to the February 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. The primary attraction to the Otsego club is the facility’s 22-foot pipe, the largest east of the Rockies. The pipe is very similar to the one they will perform on at the Olympics.

Otsego Ski Club members and guests will have a unique opportunity to “shred” alongside some of the world’s best riders in a perfectly manicured pipe, maintained by Pat Malendoski of Planet Snow Design. Him and his team have created similar facilities for prior Olympic and national championship sites.

“We are very excited to have some of the top snowboarding talent in the world utilizing our facility for their training,” said Mike Biber, owner and managing partner of Osprey S.A. Ltd., the owner of the Otsego Ski Club. “For these teams to select Otsego Ski Club and come to northern Michigan for the first time ever to train, is a testament to the hard work and dedication that Planet and the Otsego Ski Club have put forth in creating the facilities, snow conditions, and atmosphere needed for these world class athletes.”

Opening to the public for the first time in 60 years, the Otsego Club is also preparing for a big turnout during their opening weekend, as they host an eclectic mix of wintertime sports and entertainment on December 19-20, 2009.

Working closely with Planet, Otsego Ski Club has invested in significant improvements to its terrain, snowmaking, and equipment, making a reality of its ambition to host these top Olympic snowboarders. The season opens in late December for Otsego’s members and guests who will have access to the 22-foot pipe throughout the entire season.

The monster pipe isn’t the only attraction for Otsego’s skiers and snowboarders. With three separate terrain parks and a full-length boarder-cross course, the O-Park is similar to some of the great terrain parks snowboarding enthusiasts find out West at places like Park City, Winter Park, and Vail.

In addition to its terrain park rails and boxes, Otsego, with Planet’s expertise, developed an indoor skate bowl that will be open all season. The skate bowl, a favorite among kids and boarders, will be located in the special events center.

Founded in 1939, Otsego Ski Club is the oldest private ski club in America, and has been a prominent fixture in northern Michigan ever since. Otsego Ski Club is a family winter destination, boasting the Midwest’s only full-service private ski facility with 31 runs, five chairlifts, tubing, Nordic skiing, and the #1 terrain park in the Midwest.

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