On the way to where you play

The Wickham Years (1952-1988)

Jim Wickham was a true skiing pioneer, traveling from his home in Detroit to Caberfae and Boyne Mountain and west to Sun Valley in the 1940s. He was bitten hard by the joy of sliding on snow and became a ski instructor. He and his dad JP moved north to Cadillac and created the Sun N Snow Hotel and Restaurant. This allowed Jim to feed his passion for skiing. While instructing it became clear to him his students needed quality equipment in order to reach their potential.  

In 1952, Jim and his wife, Gwen opened Sun n Snow Ski Shop in the hotel office. Jim brought in the newest ski equipment to a community, which sparked an entire area's passion for snowsports. In 1968 the shop was moved to its present location in what is now known as Cadillac West. This expansion allowed Jim to continue his passion and also helped to provide a specialty niche in Northern Michigan. In his time he also continued his career in instructing, by becoming a certified PSIA examiner. He also was a manufactures rep for many ski companies.

Cancer took Jim's life in 1976. The store and his legacy were carried on by his wife Gwen. She guided the store until her death in 1988. At that time, Jim and Gwen's children, Cheri and Pat Wickham assumed control of the store and their father's legacy.

The Joe Host Era (1988-2026)

Joe Host started working at Sun’n Snow during high school in 1978 waxing rental skis. After graduating Joe moved west to Colorado, working at Keystone as a ski instructor. He also spent time in Breckenridge managing a rental operation. Over the years he moved through the ski and snowboard industry, from Colorado to Vermont, where he gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, before returning to live in Cadillac. He began coaching the Cadillac ski team in 1985, and continues to coach today. In 2014 he was inducted into the Michigan ski coaches' hall of fame.

In 1988 Cheri and Pat hired Joe Host to manage and guide the store where his journey in the industry began! This time Joe wasn’t just waxing rental skis, but managing the store and continuing Jim’s legacy of providing quality ski and snowboard equipment to the local area. Running Sun’n Snow allowed him to use his experiences and love for the sport to help customers choose the best gear, clothing, and accessories for their needs.

In 2012, the Wickham family decided to sell the shop to Joe, fulfilling a long-time dream of his. For the next 13 seasons, Joe operated Sun’n Snow while continuing his dedication to the junior racers in the community through coaching. Not only did Joe continue the retail legacy the Wickhams began in 1952, but he also maintained the physical structure of the store itself. Built in 1966, the store is a reflection of the roots of the sport in the Austrian Alps. One look at the storefront, or a visit inside, and you know this place was built to retail winter sports!

New Owners! (2026-)

Having dedicated much of his life to the success of Sun’n Snow, Joe decided to retire and sell the business, and building after the 2025/26 season. He found willing buyers in a long time Caberfae ski family, the Holmes’s, from Lowell, MI. Jon and Toni Kay were looking to make a change in their lives that would bring them closer to an area in the state they love, as well as a new challenge to lead them into the next stage of life. Upon learning that Joe planned to sell or close the shop, they jumped at the chance to take the reigns of such an iconic piece of Michigan’s skiing history.

Wintersports retail is not new to either of them. Jon has spent the past 35 years on the leadership team at Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus, helping grow the size of the store and it’s reputation as one the country’s top ski, snowboard, and outdoor retailers. Toni spent her career on the front lines of the Grand Rapids Press, managing the delivery of the paper to thousands of customers. During this time they developed a love of skiing, camping, and paddling together while raising a family.

Through his time at Bill & Paul’s, Jon realized his main passion in the industry was inspiring and helping others to get out and experience life on the slopes, in the woods, and on the water. Near the end of his tenure at Bill & Paul’s he was focused on events and marketing, activities that would not only attract customers, but give them the confidence and knowledge to be successful in their outdoor pursuits.

Through her time at the Press, Toni developed an appreciation for meeting customers expectations while faced with outsized challenges. Over the years she supported Jon by working at many of the B&P’s events, and eventually became a part time member of the sales team, helping customers pick out the perfect clothing for their needs and lifestyle.

So, while they may be new to this ownership thing, Jon and Toni are not strangers to the ski and snowboard retail industy, nor the winter sports community in Cadillac. They look forward to sharing their knowledge and their desire to help others be comfortable and successful in their pursuits of outdoor winter recreation with Mid-Michigan’s winter lovers. THINK SNOW!