Photo courtesy of Crystal Community Ski Club (CCSC)
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (January 2026) — The snowy slopes of Crystal Mountain made the perfect backdrop for ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA) as Ginger Zee shared the spotlight with Crystal Community Ski Club. The segment was part of the network’s historic “America the Beautiful: 50 States in 50 Weeks” tour, a year-long journey celebrating America’s upcoming 250th birthday by highlighting the people and places that make each state unique.
As the tour visits each state in the order of its induction into the Union,
Michigan took center stage today as the 26th state. The “Michigan Story” focused on the Crystal Community Ski Club (CCSC), a non-profit organization based at Crystal Mountain, recognized for its relentless mission to break down socioeconomic and geographic barriers, ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of sliding on snow.
The morning was spearheaded by GMA’s Chief Meteorologist and proud Michigander, Ginger Zee. Thrilled to return to her home state, Zee fully embraced her “Michigander,” strapping on skis for both pre-recorded features and live segments. The production crew transformed the base of the mountain near the Crystal Clipper chairlift into a national stage.
“This was truly an ‘all hands on deck’ effort from our entire team at Crystal Mountain and CCSC,” said Karyn Thorr, Crystal Mountain COO. “From the early stages of shooting video and interviews for the feature piece to the live production on the slopes that began very early this morning, the collaboration and execution were very impressive. We are proud to be the home of CCSC and couldn’t be happier that they were able to share their story with the country.”
Throughout the broadcast, dozens of CCSC athletes gathered around Zee,
waving and cheering as the cameras captured the spirit of Michigan’s youth snowsports community. The segment highlighted the club’s diverse range of programs, from competitive Alpine and Nordic racing to outreach initiatives like Nordic Rocks and partnering with groups such as Hamtramck and the Flint YMCA, to get kids on skis and snowboards.
“To have a national platform like Good Morning America recognize the mission of CCSC is an incredible honor,” said Hunter Steinkamp, CCSC Executive Director. “Seeing our kids cheering on national television alongside Ginger Zee is a moment they will never forget. We hope our story inspires kids and families all across the country to get outside in the winter and find the joy of sliding on snow.”
For those who missed the live broadcast, the segment will be posted on the Crystal Community Ski Club and Crystal Mountain social media pages.
About Crystal Community Ski Club (CCSC)
The Crystal Community Ski Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Michigan. Founded in 2018, CCSC offers 12 programs serving over 1,100 youth annually, providing equipment, instruction, and scholarships for Alpine skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing. Their mission is to remove barriers to entry and foster a lifelong love for winter sports.
About Crystal Mountain:
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features a variety of lodging options, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, hiking and biking trails, Michigan Legacy Art Park, the award-winning Crystal Spa, and more. Day guests and overnight guests are welcome, as well as weddings, meetings, conferences, and other special events. Four Seasons Club Membership and real estate options are available.