Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – Mulligan’s Hollow in Grand Haven is a more than a hill. It’s the heart of the community.
They are in the middle of a fundraising campaign and Abby Leatherman who sits on the board stopped in to tell us all about it.
KEEP THE STOKE. KEEP THE SNOW.
If you’ve ever zipped up a jacket on a cold day, cheered a kid’s first turn, or watched the lights flicker over the hill and fire pit, you know this:
Mulligan’s Hollow is more than a ski hill — it’s the heart of our winter community.
For decades, it’s been where families gather, confidence is built one run at a time, and first jobs turn into lifelong memories. But without urgent upgrades, the hill we love — and the next season itself — is in jeopardy.
The Problem
Behind every great ski day is snowmaking — and Mulligan’s Hollow’s system is well past its prime.
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Underground infrastructure is more than 40 years old
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Snowmaking equipment is decades beyond its intended lifespan
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Pipe ruptures and electrical failures are increasingly common
When cold temperatures arrive, volunteers work around the clock to keep pipes, pumps, power systems, and snow guns running. But even heroic effort can’t overcome aging infrastructure that limits snowmaking capacity and threatens reliable operation.
In short: when winter shows up, we can’t take full advantage of it — and without action, the risk of a system-wide failure continues to grow.
The Solution: A Two-Phase Snowmaking Rebuild
Phase 1 — Summer/Fall 2026
Total Cost: $1,033,000
Phase 1 will:
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Replace all underground plumbing and electrical lines
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Install a new pump system and pump house
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Lay the foundation for a modern, dependable snowmaking operation
Immediate Need:
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$640,000 by February 28, 2026 to order long-lead materials and stay on schedule
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Remaining $393,000 will fund installation in Fall 2026 once materials arrive
⛔ Without these funds, delays could prevent the system from being ready for next season.
Progress So Far:
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$280,000 already raised toward Phase 1
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Securing the $640,000 now is critical to protect next winter
Phase 2 — Completion Before Winter 2027/28
Cost: $462,000
Phase 2 will:
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Replace outdated snow guns with energy-efficient models
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Maximize snow output while reducing operational costs
Total Project Cost
$1,495,000
Why This Matters
Mulligan’s Hollow:
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Supports 80+ local jobs each winter
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Teaches 700–800 lessons to kids every season
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Provides scholarships so every family can experience skiing and snowboarding
It’s where confidence is built, friendships blossom, and winter feels like winter.
This project isn’t just about pipes and snow guns — it’s about protecting a community staple and honoring the volunteers who refuse to give up, for this generation and many more.
Help Us Make the Snow Fly
👉 Donate today:
https://ghacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3772
Thank you for believing in this hill and its future — with gratitude and urgency.
Thanks to Abby for stopping by!
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