The UP is pretty great but I wouldn’t characterize it in the same way the OP did with the ski towns. More of a hunting and fishing vibe. A bit insular as well which is fine if that’s what you’re aiming for.
If they're trying to avoid paying million dollar house prices that those other ski towns have, they might have to look at something that's not quite a dedicated ski town.
Although some places up in the UP seem pretty close to that. Ironwood, MI for example, has 4 ski resorts within 15 miles of it, and doesn't seem to have a whole lot else happening there (we stayed there as a base of operations to go to the Porcupine Mountains though).
From Wikipedia: "While originally an iron mining town, the area is now known for its downhill skiing resorts, including Big Powderhorn, Black River, Snow River, Mount Zion and Whitecap as well as its cross country skiing at the Wolverine Nordic Trail System and the ABR Nordic Center."
Right totally agree. Thanks for the tip on Ironwood as well. Though it would take me longer to get there from Ohio than it would to fly out to Colorado or anywhere out west to ski it could be a cool place to go check out. :)
