Have the Most 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 snow gear!
Winter means cozy family times by the fireplace, sledding with neighbors, lots and lots of hot cocoa, and venturing outside to try new outdoor winter activities.
Keeping the kids busy during the winter takes a bit of creativity and planning but be assured, it’s worth the effort.
*Feature Photo Courtesy of Boyne Highlands Resort
Outdoor Winter Activities are the Key to Fun
So, grab some hot chocolate (or coffee) and a warm blanket and snuggle up to plan your next epic family adventure.
This list of Michigan outdoor winter activities chronicles a ton of ideas to get you and your family out of the house and ready to enjoy the winter!
Snowboarding & Skiing in Michigan
How Kids Can Ski Free (or for Less) 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 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.
Places to Ski & Snowboard – and Get Ski Lessons – in Michigan
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.
Ski Hills & Ski Resorts
Michigan Outdoor Activities: Ski Hills & Ski Resorts List
| 1) Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort
N11375 Powderhorn Road, Bessemer, MI 49911 Upper Peninsula |
| 2) Big Snow Resort Indianhead / Blackjack Mountain
500 Indianhead Rd., Wakefield, MI 49968 Upper Peninsula |
| 3) Big Valley Ski and Tube
14432 County Road 428, Newberry, MI 49868 Upper Peninsula |
| 4) Bittersweet Ski Resort
600 River Road, Otsego, MI 49078 Central Lower |
| 5) Boyne Highlands Resort
600 Highland Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 6) Boyne Mountain Ski Resort
1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, MI 49713 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 7) Caberfae Peaks
1 Caberfae Ln, Cadillac, MI 49601 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 8) Cannonsburg Ski and Ride Area
6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, MI 49306 West |
| 9) Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr., Thompsonville, MI 49683 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 10) Hanson Hills Recreation Area
7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, MI 49738 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 11) John & Melissa Besse Sports Park
900 North Bluff Drive, Gladstone, MI 49837 Upper Peninsula |
| 12) Marquette Mountain Resort
4501 M-553, Marquette, MI 49855 Upper Peninsula |
| 13) Mont Ripley
49051 Ski Hill Rd., Hancock, MI 49930 Upper Peninsula |
| 14) Mount Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort
13536 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI 48442 Eastside |
| 15) Mt. Brighton
4141 Bauer Rd, Brighton, MI 48116 Eastside |
| 16) Mt. Holiday
3100 Holiday Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 17) Mt. McSauba Recreation Area
09223 Mt. McSauba Rd., Charlevoix, MI 49720 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 18) Mt. Zion Rec Complex
E4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood, MI 49938 Upper Peninsula |
| 19) Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl
600 Y Dr, Grand Haven, MI 49417 West |
| 20) Nub's Nob Ski Area
500 Nub’s Nob Rd., Harbor Springs, MI 49740 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 21) Otsego Resort
696 E M 32, Gaylord, MI 49735 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 22) Petoskey Winter Sports Park
1100 Winter Park Ln, Petoskey, MI 49770 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 23) Pine Knob
7778 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, MI 48348 Eastside |
| 24) Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort
N 3332 Pine Mountain Road, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 Upper Peninsula |
| 25) Shanty Creek Resort
5780 Shanty Creek Road, Bellaire, MI 49615 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 26) Silver Mountain, St. Ignace
U.S. 2 & Cheeseman Rd, St. Ignance, MI 49781 Upper Peninsula |
| 27) Ski Brule
397 Brule Mountain Road, Iron River, MI 49935 Upper Peninsula |
| 28) Snow Snake Ski & Golf
3407 East Mannsiding Rd., Harrison, MI 48625 Central Lower |
| 29) Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboard Area
13421 Mann Street, Jones, MI 49061 Central Lower |
| 30) The Homestead
1 Woodridge Rd, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 Northern Lower Peninsula |
| 31) Timber Ridge Ski Area
07500 23 ½ Street, Gobles, MI 49055 Central Lower |
| 32) Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord, MI 49735 Northern Lower Peninsula |
Where to Ice Skate in Michigan (Indoors or Out)
Oh, the memories I have of ice skating on the frozen pond 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 snowshoe 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.
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.
International 500 Snowmobile Race
984 W 4th Ave Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Monday-Saturday, January 31-February 5, 2022
Professional snowmobilers race at speeds over 100 mph in Sault Ste Marie in this huge yearly event.
Since 1969, hundreds of thousands of diehard snowmobile and winter enthusiasts have journeyed to Sault Ste. Marie, MI to enjoy the frozen, snowy spectacle of the I-500, and be a part of the Upper Peninsula’s most astonishing snowmobile action.
The first Saturday of February every year is when the best snowmobile racers in the world go 500 laps/500 miles in the most demanding and grueling Snowmobile Race in the world!
Where to Rent Snowmobiles in Michigan
You don’t have to own a snowmobile yourself to enjoy this sport! There are Michigan companies that offer rentals, including:
Northern Michigan
Brentwood Lodging
4778 S. STRAITS HWY. INDIAN RIVER, MI. 49749
Snowmobile rentals on the trail – Indian River, MI. 4-season lodging.
Boyne Recreational Rentals
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
(231) 549-3077
Blue Sky Rentals
Traverse City, Michigan
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
525 High Lake Rd., Traverse City, MI 49646
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
1197 M-37, Baldwin, MI 49304
Direct trail access from the Resort. You can take the rentals anywhere in the state of Michigan, even the Upper Peninsula.
(231) 745-4101
Upper Peninsula Michigan
Grand Island Snowmobile Rentals, Inc.
Munising, MI 49862
Visit historic Grand Island and its many scenic sites: Cliff Ice, Ice Caves etc. (Lake Superior ice travel is only permitted when safe)
906-387-4300
Dan’s Recreation
311 Scallon Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Located in Hancock right on Trail 17, we have direct access to all of the local trails. From our free store-side parking area, you can easily ride to any of your favorite destinations. The coffee is always on at Dan’s, waiting your return from Copper Harbor, the Porcupine Mountains or beyond.
(906) 281-0780
Michigan Snowmobile Trails
Here’s where you can take that picturesque snowmobile ride on snowy trails in Michigan. The trails are endless.
Snowmobile - Upper Peninsula
Snowmobile at Big Snow Resort Indianhead / Blackjack Mountain - Wakefield, MI
Snowmobile - Upper Peninsula
Snowmobile at Ski Brule - Iron River, MI
Snowmobile - Northern Lower Peninsula
Snowmobile at Treetops Resort - Gaylord, MI
Snowmobile - Northern Lower Peninsula
Snowmobile at Blue Sky Rentals - Traverse City, MI
Snowmobile - Northern Lower Peninsula
Snowmobile at Crystal Mountain - Thompsonville, MI
Snowmobile - Northern Lower Peninsula
Snowmobile at Snow Blitz Snowmobile Rental - Kalkaska, MI
Snowmobile - Northern Lower Peninsula
Snowmobile at Shanty Creek Resort - Bellaire, MI
Snowmobile - Northern Lower Peninsula
Snowmobile at Wolf Lake Motel & Resort Snowmobile Rentals - Baldwin, MI
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.
Dog Sledding - Upper Peninsula
Dog Sledding at Husky Haven Sled Dogs in Shingleton, MI
Destination Offers
- Dog Sledding
Owned by Kim Darst, who in 2009 became the first musher from New Jersey to embark on Alaska’s Iditarod, brought her team to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to be able to train her team. Now you and your family can learn about this unique and fascinating mode of travel and feel the incredible power of dog sledding for yourself.
Winter tours, about 8-10 miles long, are available with a double driver sled so our guests can get to drive with another person explaining the driving process. The area boasts miles of picturesque trails, complete with waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife. Pictures and hot chocolate are available at the end of the tour, while they answer all of your questions. Tours last about 3-4 hours and start at $150 per person.
Note: Summer tours are available if you want to learn about them.
Dog Sledding - Upper Peninsula
Dog Sledding at Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures in McMillan, MI
Destination Offers
Owned by Ed and Tasha Stielstra, who have owned sled dogs for more than twenty years and love sharing this magical sport with others. They offer adventure tours for guests of any age and ability. If you are up for the trip, they are located in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, near McMillan, Michigan.
They offer a variety of packages. Starting out with a half-day 10-mile trip, perfect for families, and then they also have a 20-mile all day trip. Prices will vary depending on the length of your trip, if you are a rider verses a driver, and weekday vs weekend, but plan on spending over a couple of hundred dollars for these rides. If you are looking for a weekend family getaway, overnight packages are available as well.
Note: Summer camps are available too.
Dog Sledding - Northern Lower Peninsula
Dog Sledding at Shemhadar Kennels in Cadillac, MI
Destination Offers
- Dog Sledding
“The Dog Sled Kennel Tour” for 1-7 people:
See all the dogs, the dog sleds, and learn all about the wonderful world of Dog Sledding. It is $75 for the hour and that includes the whole family or friends.
There are no rides with the tour, but it is a great time learning and playing with the dogs, and sometimes puppies if it is the right time. Come out and learn everything about Dog Sledding.
You may have an opportunity to see the Mushers train the teams if you are here on one of those days.
~~
“The Musher Experience” for 2 to 4 people - NOT OFFERED IN 2020 / 2021
You’ll spend time visiting the kennel where you’ll learn to harness, all about the sleds, how to hook up dogs, and which dog positions to put the dogs. After that, you will get to drive with a trainer on a special touring double sled that allows guests to stand and drive. Then, you’ll get your own team and enjoy driving your own dog sled team for two rides on the beautiful and adventurous trails.
Each musher will get one guided ride and then they will Drive their own sled 2 more times. If there are 4 people, then each person will get a half guided ride, at the beginning and only get to take their own sled once. This is only for those that are physically fit and want the adventure of a lifetime!
You will be driving a traditional authentic dog sled with 2, 3, 4, or 6 dogs, depending on snow conditions!
Dog Sledding - Northern Lower Peninsula
Dog Sledding at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, MI
Destination Offers
- Snow Tubing
- Dog Sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Downhill Skiing
- Snowboard Ski Lessons
- Cross Country Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Snowboarding
- Sleigh Rides
- Winter Event
- Lodging
Dog Sledding at Treetops Resort
Join Iditarod pro, Liza Dietzen and her team of dogs from Evergreen Kennel for a thrilling dog sled adventure at Treetops Resort.
Recommended for adventure seekers for all ages! Minors must be accompanied by parent/guardian.
A “sled load” consists of the following:
1 adult under 200 lbs.
1 adult and 1 child under 200 lbs.
2 children under 200 lbs.
A separate time slot must be booked for each “sled load.” To accommodate families, it is recommended that you reserve time slots that are back to back.
Dog Sledding - Northern Lower Peninsula
Dog Sledding at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, MI
Destination Offers
- Snow Tubing
- Dog Sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Fat Tire Biking
- Downhill Skiing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Lodging
Dog Sledding at Shanty Creek Resort
Sarah Dobbrastine, a local nurse who rescues Sled Dogs, brings her Second Chance Mushers to Schuss Mountain on the weekend for Dog Sled Rides when trail conditions permit.
The dog sledding trail is about a mile long and is located at Schuss Village (based out of the Nordic Center). The ride itself lasts about 15-20 minutes and are scheduled in 30-minute time slots. This allows additional time for a dog meet-and-greet, instructional time, and sanitization between rides.
Rides are $65 each and have a strict 200-pound rider weight limit (mix and match your sled occupancy up to the weight limit with 1 adult, 1 adult + 1 child, or 3 children.
Michigan’s Dog Sled Races
Tahquamenon County Sled Dog Race
Jan 8, 2022
Newberry, MI
The race start and finish will again take place at Muskallonge Lake State Park about 30 miles north of Newberry, MI.
UP200
Feb 17-21, 2022
Marquette, MI
230 mile race with 12-dog teams
Midnight Run
Feb 17-21, 2022
Marquette, MI
90-mile race with 8-dog teams
Jack Pine 30
Feb 19, 2022
Marquette, MI
26-mile race with 6-dog teams
Kalkaska Winterfest
Kalkaska, MI
No 2022 dates have been announced.
The Kalkaska Winterfest is an ISDRA sanctioned event that has been bringing the tradition of dogsled racing to northern lower Michigan since 1965. Sled dog races and weight pull both Saturday and Sunday at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds. Largest sprint sled dog race in Michigan.
Tahquamenon County Sled Dog Race
Jan 8, 2022
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 Outdoor Winter Activities
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!
This was very helpful for creating a list of things to do and ways to connect with people when everything is closed thank you Mary!
Please do not use Zion Christian School’s sledding hill anymore. We have had construction over the summer and our hill now has a brick wall with a 4 foot drop to a cement walkway at the bottom.
Wow best winter lists I’ve yet to find. Great job Mary. Thank You.