Michigan Winter: Best Places to Sled, Ski, Skate, Snowshoe, Snowmobile & Experience Sled Dogs

All the Ways to Have the Best Michigan Winter Fun

At the sight of the first falling snowflake, my kids begin shouting for joy and digging out their snow-pants, winter hats, boots… all that dreaded gear!

Meanwhile, my brain goes another direction.

How am I going to keep my kids busy now that the weather is cold and wet? For me, snow means shoveling, cursing my hilly driveway and cleaning up snow-melt from the kids coming back in.

But winter also means cozy family times by the fireplace, sledding with neighbors, lots and lots of hot cocoa, and venturing outside to try new things.

Get Outside and Play this Winter in Michigan

You may wish for some hot chocolate (or coffee) and a warm blanket when it feels impossible to get out of the house, but I think you should take a look at the list below, throw off that blanket and have some fun!

This list chronicles tons of activities to get you and your family out of the house and ready to brave, and dare I say — enjoy the winter!

Snowboarding & Skiing in Michigan

How Kids Can Ski Free in Michigan

I have been skiing since I was three years old and last year I was able to introduce all three of my kids to the sport.  We signed them up for ski lessons at Crystal Mountain and we were shocked by the improvements they made in just two days!

This year we purchased them each their first set of skis and we can’t wait to hit the slopes!

In Michigan we have so many choices when it comes to terrific learn to ski programs. There’s even a program that lets 4th and 5th graders ski free in Michigan. You pay $20 for a passport and that gives you access to three free lift tickets at 25 participating ski areas.

The entire month of January is learn to ski month in Michigan and most ski hills offer great deals throughout the month.

Even if you’re not seasoned on the slopes, you can enjoy Michigan’s snowy hilltops. (And the exhilarating ride down!)

Most ski resorts offer lessons from kids to adults, making it even more accessible to winter adventurers.

Read on to see where your family can go skiing and snowboarding in Michigan this winter.

Places to Ski & Snowboard – and Get Ski Lessons – in Michigan

Where to Ice Skate in Michigan (Indoors or Out)

Oh, the memories I have of ice skating on the frozen pond behind behind my house growing up! Trudging through the fields to the pond, shoveling off the snow, putting on cold ice skates, and whirling around on bumpy, uneven ice.

While it was good old fashioned fun, it’s been a lot easier to skate at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids. Someone else clears the ice and keeps it smooth, and I can just happily glide around as much as I want.

If you want that same smooth experience, here’s where to ice skate in Michigan.

Sledding, Toboggan Runs & Luge Tracks Around Michigan

For those who want snowy adventure from a lower vantage point than skis, you’ve got to try the luge! I’d argue that it’s more thrilling than skiing, because you can really fly down some of these area luge tracks.

I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of adrenaline rush yet. For now, I get plenty of kicks out of tubing. Here are the places where you can slide down those snowy slopes, at whatever speed you’re comfortable with:

Anytime my kindergartener sees a dusting of snow on the ground he asks to go sledding. And ever since my kids got a super nice sledding tube for Christmas, the desperation for a sledding day is reaching new heights. Whether you’ve got a fancy snow tube or just want to grab a cookie sheet from the cupboard, here are the hills where kids can sled in West Michigan.

Snow Tubing in Michigan

If you like sledding, you’re going to love snow tubing in Michigan.

Combine the thrill of speeding down a snow-covered hill on a cushy tube, with the ease of a ride back up to the top and you’ve got a winning combination.

Check with property owners before sledding and tubing and follow all local laws and regulations.

Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing in Michigan

Snowshoeing in Michigan can be done almost anywhere you can find public property and some snow. Most parks will let you snowshoe through the woods or across open fields, blazing your own trail. There are places to snowshoe with dedicated snow shoe trails as well. Snowshoeing on a trail is easier because the trail will already be compacted.

Please note: Snowshoeing open/closed status fluctuates with the weather, and this year, also with State Health Department orders. Advance equipment rental reservations are highly encouraged. 

Snowmobiling in Michigan

Take in the beauty of the Michigan wilderness as you fly across the snow in a snowmobile. Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are popular spots for snowmobilers, with thousands of trails crisscrossing the state. You can check out all the Michigan snowmobile maps here.

A big draw for snowmobile fans in Michigan is the International 500 race, touted as the toughest snowmobile race in the world. Professional snowmobilers race at speeds over 100 mph in Sault Ste Marie in this huge yearly event.

Where to Rent Snowmobiles in Michigan

• And no, you don’t have to own a snowmobile yourself to enjoy this sport! There are local places that offer rentals, including these:

• Alpine Snowmobile Rentals | Just feet from snowmobile trails, so you can rent your sled and go. (989) 731-1276.
• Blue Sky Rentals |  Single passenger and double passenger snowmobiles are available for rent in four hour, eight hour, daily, weekend (48 hours) and weekly rentals.
• Snowblitz Snowmobile Rental | Renting Ski Doo Snowmobiles at Ranch Rudolf Resort, offering helmets, guides, four hour, eight hour, 24 hour and 48 hour rentals.
• Wolf Lake Motel & Resort Snowmobile Rentals | Direct trail access from the Resort. You can take the rentals anywhere in the state of Michigan, even the Upper Peninsula. (231) 745-4101 

Michigan Snowmobile Trails

Here’s where you can take that picturesque snowmobile ride on snowy trails in Michigan. The trails are endless.

Dog Sledding in Michigan

Looking to do something a little different this winter with your kids, but you can’t think of anything. Have you ever thought about taking them up to Alaska to watch the start of the Iditarod Race? No? Ok, me neither. But you can find some amazing places in Michigan that offer a dog sledding experience.  Some of these places even offer educational tours about dog sledding and the Iditarod, and others will even let you become a “Musher” for a day. 

 So, if you are looking for something a little different this year, we have created a list for you, with a variety of different dog sledding experiences.  If you are just wanting a simple ride, we have you covered, and we have two locations listed in the Lower Peninsula for your family to enjoy. If I have your wheels turning, and perhaps you have older children, may I suggest looking into a family weekend getaway to one of our two locations listed in the Upper Peninsula.

Want to meet a Musher?

Now that I’ve brought up the Iditarod “The Last Great Race”, you may be wondering if we have any sled dog races here in Michigan.  And yes, we do. There are a few, mostly in the Upper Peninsula, but I did find one in the Lower Peninsula. Most are held over a weekend, and have activities going on to help promote the sled dog sport.  The larger races have different distances to run, which means you get to watch multiple starts. 

 If you’re unsure your family will enjoy a dog sled ride, but think they may enjoy watching a sled dog race, check out the links to some races below. Who knows? You may influence a future Musher.

Michigan’s Dog Sled Races

•   UP200 / Midnight Run / Jack Pine 30 – Marquette, MI
•   Kalkaska Winterfest – Kalkaska, MI
•   Tahquamenon County Sled Dog Race – Newberry, MI
•   CooperDog 150 – Calumet, MI

Michigan Winter Festivals

Build your own sled in Grand Haven, throw some frozen fish in St Joseph – these are only a few of the unique and fun outdoor events in the area this winter.

Michigan knows how to celebrate all that winter has to offer.

Sleigh Rides in Michigan

It doesn’t have to be Christmas to dash through the snow in a one horse open sleigh. Michigan horse-drawn sleigh rides are around all winter!

High energy Michigan winter sports are pretty exciting, but some of us prefer a more leisurely winter escapade. Michigan winter enthusiasts can swap downhill skis for cross country, opt to tube downhill instead of luge, or trade that high speed snowmobile ride for a nice, low-key sleigh ride over the snow.

More Michigan Winter Adventures

Still looking for more? Michigan has some crazy winter activities across the state. Explore frozen waterfalls, sled our gigantic sand dunes or climb ice towers. If you can dream it, it’s probably already being done somewhere in Michigan – we never say no to thrills!