Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with history. Explore Sugar Loaf, A Retrospective, an exhibit celebrating the culture, history, and memories surrounding this cherished hill. From its earliest uses to its vibrant heyday, this exhibit showcases artifacts, memorabilia, and stories generously shared by our community. It’s a great way to spend a snowy day and connect with the rich heritage of our area.
Whether you skied down its snowy slopes, worked the lifts, snapped a family photo at its base, or simply admired its iconic presence, this beloved Leelanau landmark holds a special place in our community’s heart. Sugar Loaf was a ski resort near the shores of Lake Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula. Located just north of Cedar, MI the hill still stands tall to this day, the buildings since removed, but the memories will live forever.
Don’t miss your chance to step back into history—stop by this winter!
The exhibit is open now through 2025, with winter hours – Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person (free for children and LHS Members).
Leelanau Historical Society Museum | 203 E. Cedar St. Leland, MI 49654
Community Voices: Meet the Sugar Loafers Behind the Exhibit
This exhibit was a brand new approach for LHS Staff. Most exhibits are about people, places, and stories that occurred well over 100 years ago, and there is no one still alive who can recall that time to help put the exhibit together. When we set out to tell the story of Sugar Loaf, it was clear this exhibit would be a “Community Curated” endeavor. With much of Sugar Loaf’s history still within living memory for many in the Leelanau community, who better to narrate its story than the people who lived it? The exhibit owes its success to the incredible generosity and knowledge of those who shared their memories, artifacts, and expertise. Here, we highlight a few of the individuals whose contributions brought the story of Sugar Loaf to life.
Dan Matthies
As a ski instructor and the operator of the Ski Pro Shop inside the Lodge from (1979-2000), Dan Matthies was at the heart of the resort’s ski culture during its peak years. A passionate skier, Dan’s life revolved around the slopes, where he played a vital role in fostering the vibrant skiing community that made Sugar Loaf so beloved.
Today, Dan is best known as the co-owner of Chateau Fontaine, a renowned winery he runs with his wife, Lucie, and son, Doug.
Dan shared a treasure trove of artifacts and memories for the exhibit, including ski equipment from different decades, branded merchandise, newsletters, and pictures. His contributions help illustrate the evolution of ski culture at Sugar Loaf and bring its story vividly to life. Dan’s connection to the community didn’t stop at loaning artifacts. He brought a group of former Sugar Loaf ski instructors to tour the exhibit, rekindling shared memories and enriching the exhibit’s narrative with their firsthand experiences. This moment underscored the exhibit’s central theme: Sugar Loaf is not just a place but a shared heritage that continues to connect people.
Carl Ganter
As the son of Jim and Pat Ganter, who opened Sugar Loaf as a ski resort in the 1960s and transformed it into a vibrant community hub, Carl’s childhood was steeped in the culture and energy of the resort. Growing up at Sugar Loaf, he had free rein of the mountain and its facilities, where he developed his early passion for photography—capturing moments and memories, setting the stage for his future career as a renowned photojournalist.
Today, Carl is known for his work in publications like National Geographic and Time, and his leadership in water and climate issues through Circle of Blue. But it’s his personal ties to Sugar Loaf that make his contributions to the exhibit especially meaningful.
Carl shared a wealth of memories and artifacts for the exhibit, including guest books, vintage photographs, and even the ribbon from the resort’s opening ceremony. His deep connection to Sugar Loaf also helped the museum uncover new stories by connecting them with other key individuals. Carl’s contributions embody the spirit of the exhibit—a celebration of the community, culture, and history that make Sugar Loaf unforgettable.
Michael Huey
As the grandson of Arthur S. “Major” Huey, a founder of the Sugar Loaf Winter Sports Club in the 1940s, Michael Huey has long been a passionate steward of the history that shaped the region, including Sugar Loaf. His grandfather played a pivotal role in the creation of the Winter Sports Club, which helped establish the hill as a cornerstone of Leelanau County’s budding winter sports community.
Michael’s contributions to the Sugar Loaf: A Retrospective exhibit have been invaluable. He provided a detailed history of The Leelanau School’s connection to Sugar Loaf, which traces its roots back to the early days of the resort’s founding. Michael shared rare video footage of the Winter Sports Club’s grand opening, along with historic images and documents from his family’s collection, the Skipper & Cora Beals and Major & Helen Huey Archive.
Michael’s work has ensured that future generations will have a deeper understanding of Sugar Loaf’s place in the history of Leelanau County, enriching the exhibit with a legacy that connects the past and present.
John Peppler
As a ski instructor at Sugar Loaf Resort from 1980 to 2000, John Peppler played an integral role in shaping the resort’s ski community during its peak years. A passionate teacher and ski enthusiast, John helped foster the high quality Ski School that Sugar Loaf became known for, passing down his love of the slopes to many skiers.
In 2021, responding to the museum’s call for stories and artifacts, John donated a collection of memorabilia, including trophies, plaques, and other items from his time at Sugar Loaf. His donations helped bring the history of the resort’s racing events to life. These items, provided a glimpse into the competitive spirit and community camaraderie that were such an important part of Sugar Loaf’s story.
Though John passed away before the exhibit opened, his contributions remain a testament to his legacy. His sister, Linda Peppler, continued his generosity by bringing additional photos and items shortly before the exhibit’s unveiling, ensuring that his memory would be honored. The artifacts John shared not only help build a sense of place within the exhibit but also stand as a tribute to him—a beloved member of the Sugar Loaf family.
Karen Viskochil
Karen Viskochil’s family history is deeply intertwined with Sugar Loaf. As a descendant of the Bohemian settlers who first farmed this land, Karen’s contributions to the Sugar Loaf: A Retrospective exhibit offer a rare glimpse into the region’s history before the Winter Sports Club. Through stories and photos it is evident how this iconic landmark was a focal point for both their family and the community.
In 2020, Karen Viskochil contributed a collection of family photos showcasing farm life at the base of Sugar Loaf, offering a glimpse into the land’s significance to the community before winter sporting took over. Along with these memories, Karen donated a pair of wooden skis crafted by her family and used on the slopes. They even hung in the resort! After the resort closed, the skis were returned to the Viskochil family and are now proudly displayed in the LHS collection as part of the exhibit.
Karen also shared a memorable quote that speaks to her family’s decision to sell the property to the Ganters in the 1960s, paving the way for the resort: “What does a farmer need with a hill?” This poignant remark reflects the practical mindset that led to the sale, while also highlighting the contrast between the farming life and the emerging recreational use of the mountain.
Special thanks to the members of Friends of Sugar Loaf Facebook Group, and other community members who contributed:
Tom & Debbie Adams
Skipper & Cora Beals and Major & Helen Huey Archive
Bonnie Babel
Bahle Family
Sandy Blumenfeld
Bill Boersma
Bruce & Lynn Dunn
Mark and Betsy Fisher
Roger Funkhouser
Mary Jo Grogan
Karen & Jeff Haenlein
Christeen Holdwick
Fred Heslop
Michael Huey & Christian Witt-Dörring
Denny Hoxsie
Interlochen Public Radio
Grace Johnson
Liz and Jim Kelderhouse
Harold Kelly
Margy Klesney
Karl Kitchen
Lisa Lamont Sluiter
Andy Largent
The Leelanau School
Leelanau Enterprise
Leslie Maclin & Bill McCory
Egan McGlynn
Paul Murphy
Laura Paine
John Peppler
Linda Peppler
Karen Rennie
Shawn Schuring
Ian Sterling
Julie Stevens
KB Sutton
Stephanie Chambers
Ann M. Stack
Jerry Stanek
Mary Ann Smith
Ron Smith
Lisa Whiting
Lars Welton
Al WhiteAndrew White
Warren Watkins
Randy Woods
Joanie Woods
Martha Teichner
Traverse Area District Library
Mary Ellen Turner
Carole Underwood
Viskochil Family
Glen Arbor Township
Liz Zimmerman
Stacie Longwell Sadowski
*If we have missed your name in error, please let us know!
Spotlight on Our Exhibit Team
Creating Sugar Loaf, A Retrospective was a collaborative effort driven by shared dedication to uncovering and showcasing the resort’s rich history. Every team member contributed to research, unearthing stories and artifacts that brought the exhibit to life. Exhibit designer Elizabeth Adams transformed these findings into a cohesive and visually compelling layout. Diana Baxter, as writer and researcher, wove the historical details into engaging narratives and labels. Emma Keaton, Kim Kelderhouse, and Dave Hooper supported the research process, reaching out to numerous sources, while meticulously preparing artifacts for display. Exhibit committee members Laura Paine, Bruce Dunn, Francie Gits, and Stacie Longwell Sadowski provided planning, networking, and hands-on help with arrangement.
Small businesses and volunteers also played a key role, donating materials, skills, services, and personal stories, ensuring the exhibit was a true community effort. This shared commitment to preserving local history has made the exhibit both authentic and memorable.
Bahle’s (Lois Bahle) – Mannequins & Artifacts
Leelanau Trading Co. (Ted Gilmer) – Leather Straps for Display
Vintage Views Press (Chris Byron & Tom Wilson) – Historic Images and Tourist Brochures
Eugene’s Record Co-Op (Brian Chamberland) – Audio/Visual Conversion Services
Moxie Estate Sales (Lisa Lamont) – Mannequins & Artifacts
Wooden Fish Woodworks (Randy Woods) – Wooden Ski Rack for display
Many thanks to the following for partnering with LHS to bring this exhibit to life.
Thank you for valuing Leelanau’s history!
How You Can Join the Story
The story of Sugar Loaf is still being written, and you can be a part of it!
If you have photos, artifacts, or memories of Sugar Loaf, we’d love to include them in our exhibit. Your contribution helps keep the spirit of Sugar Loaf alive.
Fill out this form, and a staff member will be in touch.
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