Michigan is the home of the world's longest freshwater coastline, 100 public beaches, the Great Lakes and 99 state parks. It is a destination with a wide variety of outdoor activities for all seasons. Michigan is located in the northern mid west portion of the state and sits on the border of Canada. In the winter months, temperatures across the state are commonly below zero and heavy snowfalls occur, especially in the Upper and Lower Peninsula.
Michigan is the home of 42 ski areas and resorts which are located in virtually every part of the state. Within these areas there are over 200 chairlifts, 80 runs and 40 terrain parks designated for skiing and snowboarding. There are also thousands of cross-country trails within 12 cross-country skiing facilities. Some of these areas offer the opportunity to snowboard, such as Boyne Mountain Resorts, Snow Snake Ski and Golf and Pine Knob Ski Resort.
Boyne Mountain Resorts
1 Boyne Mountain Road
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
(231) 549-6000
boyne.com
Pine Knob Ski Resort
7778 Sashabaw Road
Clarkston, MI 48348
(248) 625-0800
skipineknob.com
Snow Snake Ski and Golf
3407 East Mannsiding Road
Harrison, MI 48625
(989) 539-6583
snowsnake.net
Michigan is also a popular place for ice fishing, which is catching fish through an open area of ice. This is because it is such a northern state, that winters remain cold enough to keep ice completely frozen. According to Michigan Sportsman magazine, the best places to fish are Muskegon Lake, Hamlin Lake and Lake Cadillac. These bodies of water allow fishers to catch panfish, blue gills, perch and pike.
There are 6,100 interconnected snowmobile trails in Michigan. This includes almost six million acres of state and federal lands in addition to hundreds of miles of private trails. Snowmobiling consists of snow cross racing or trail riding using the ride-on machine across snow. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources and Environment provides maps of snowmobile trails designated by the state. The Michigan Snowmobile Association also maintains a list of snowmobile trail options. The association has more than 380,000 in-state registered members and over 100,000 out-of-state members.
Snow tubing is a form of sledding, sitting on a large tube. Snow tubing may be practiced by children or as a family activity. Michigan is the home of many snow tubing areas and resorts. Locations in the northern portion of the state include Boyne Highlands Resort and Shanty Creek Resorts. Ski Brule and Mount Zion Ski Area at Gogebic Community College are located in the Upper Peninsula of the state.
Boyne Highlands Resorts
600 Highland Drive
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
(231) 526-3174
boyne.com
Gogebic Community College
E 4946 Jackson Road
Ironwood MI 49938
(906) 932-4231
gogebic.edu
Shanty Creek Resort
One Shanty Creek Road
Bellaire, MI 49615
(800) 678-4111
shantycreek.com
Ski Brule
397 Brule Mountain Road
Iron River, MI 49935-8714
(906) 265-4957
skibrule.com
The Upper Peninsula of the state also provides the opportunity to attend Michigan Dog Sled races as a spectator or go on a dog sled ride. Such places includes Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Adventures that also hosts summer tours to learn about dog racing; educational programs within the Erickson Center for the Arts; and The Mighty Mutt Club to sponsor a favorite sled dog.
Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Adventures
14785 N County Road 415
McMillan, MI 49853
(906) 748-0513
natureskennel.com
