Fall lingered a little longer this year, but when Old Man Winter arrived over Thanksgiving weekend, he made his presence known in a big way. He hasn’t quieted down since, leaving plenty of snow in his wake — much to the pleasure of skiers, resort owners and chionophiles (those who love snow and winter).

According to the National Weather Service, Petoskey has received 43.5 inches of snow so far this season (normal to date is 26.3). Totals for the season typically range around 123.8 inches but back in 2013-2014, a record amount was recorded at 184.8 inches – that was the winter that Lake Michigan was 90% frozen over with the highest ice concentration ever recorded at 93.1%. Prior to that, Petoskey’s highest recorded snowfall was the winter of 1970-71, when 183.9 inches were reported.

With all that snow – and the anticipation of what is to come – it’s time to head outside and bask in the glory of the winter season!

 

LOCAL PARKS & PRESERVES

The Headlands Dark Sky Park, south of Mackinaw City along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Wilderness State Park, is the perfect place to observe a variety of celestial events. Within the first three months of 2025, check out a full moon – the Wolf Moon (January 13), Snow Moon (February 12), and Worm Moon (March 14) – or even a total lunar eclipse, March 13-14. Away from the beach, you’ll find nearly five miles of groomed trails for snowshoeing, hiking, or cross-country skiing.

Cooperation Park (affectionately known as The Co-Op) in Indian River offers a lighted rink for ice skating along with a warming hut, lighted sledding hill, and cross-country ski trails.

At Kiwanis Park in Harbor Springs, there are designated spaces for beginning skiers and snowboarders, as well as a sledding hill and a warming hut for spectators. Make plans to bring the family out on January 11, January 25, February 1, and February 15 from 4-6 pm for the free Sledding & S’Mores 2025, it’s sure to be a sweet winter celebration.

The Petoskey Winter Sports Park has been welcoming families for generations, dating back to the early 1900s. There are two ice rinks here – one for skating and one for hockey – as well as skate rentals, a sledding hill, a warming hut with restrooms, a fireplace, and concessions.

You’ll find the state’s “best sledding hill” at Boyne City’s Avalanche Mountain Preserve. This 300-plus acre park also offers cross-country skiing, ice skating, fat tire biking, and more.

 

STATE PARKS & NATIONAL TRAILS

Spanning almost 13,000 acres, Wilderness State Park near Mackinaw City is a winter haven with over six miles of groomed cross-country ski trails – including the easy yet hilly Nebo Loop, snowshoeing and hiking trails, ice fishing, winter disc golf, fat tire biking, winter camping and even free rental of the park’s accessible track chair (9 am to 4 pm) with advanced reservations. This park is also a designated dark sky preserve, much like the nearby Headlands, with great views of the Straits of Mackinac and the skies above.

Visitors to Wilderness State Park in Mackinaw City enjoy the trail and one guest uses the park’s track chair which is available free by reservation. Photo credit: Michigan DNR

Hugging the north coast of Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey State Park welcomes cross-country skiers and snowshoers along the mile-long out-and-back Portage Trail. Visitors can also ski on the closed interior roads of the park, weather permitting. Please note, the Old Baldy Trail – which is typically accessible in winter – is currently closed for boardwalk rebuilding.

Michigan Recreation Passports are required to access Wilderness and Petoskey State Parks, except for February 15-16 during the annual Free Fishing Weekend.

The 4,800-mile North Country Trail is the longest National Scenic Trail in the United States, passing through eight states including both of Michigan’s peninsulas. In fact, Michigan’s 1,180 miles is the most of any state in the path of this iconic trail. The Harbor Springs section stretches between Mackinaw City and Petoskey, while the Jordan Valley 45° portion begins near Petoskey and travels south to Kalkaska County. For information on winter hikes, contact the Harbor Springs Chapter or the Jordan Valley 45° Chapter in East Jordan.

 

WINTER SPECIAL EVENTS

Join historic Camp Daggett in Petoskey in celebrating its 100th anniversary by participating in one of two Torchlike Snowshoe Hikes coming up this winter. Held in collaboration with Bearcub Outfitters, the hikes are set for January 25 and February 22, both from 5-8 pm, and offer a chance to discover the snow-covered trails illuminated by flickering torchlights. Afterward, warm up at the lodge and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa.

Photo credit: Camp Daggett

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is once again promoting its Free Fishing Weekend – February 15-16. During this weekend, all licenses for ice fishing are waived for both in and out-of-town anglers, whether dropping a line on inland lakes or Great Lakes waters. On top of that, DNR Recreation Passports are NOT required to access state parks for this designated weekend.

 

WINTER WATER FUN

Have you ever thought of hitting the river in the winter? It’s not as scary as you might think, especially when you have trained guides doing most of the work. Big Bear Adventures in Indian River offers two-hour paddling trips along the crystal-clear Sturgeon River with two rafts each holding eight people. Jordan Valley Outfitters in East Jordan offers rafting trips down the Jordan River. During these serene floats, be on the lookout for deer, beaver, birds, and other wildlife.

Jordan Valley Outfitter Winter Rafting

Pictured here is a winter rafting trip with Jordan Valley Outfitters. Photo credit: Michigan Barefoot Memories

 

RESORT RECREATION

The Petoskey area boasts nearly 170 downhill ski runs spread over three resort areas – Nub’s Nob and The Highlands in Harbor Springs, and Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls. Each also offers cross-country skiing as well as other activities and events.

Nub’s Nob in Harbor Springs offers 21k of Nordic trails for cross-country skiing, including 2k that are lighted for evening enjoyment. Trails are groomed for both classic (diagonal stride) and skating (freestyle) skiers. Snowshoers are allowed on the far side of the 18-foot-wide trails, opposite the classic track. A variety of trail lengths and inclines are also available.

The Highlands at Harbor Springs is the premier winter destination, with a plethora of activities and events for individuals, couples, families and groups to celebrate the winter season.

  • Open mid-December through late February, The Enchanted Trail meanders through a forested area decorated with mesmerizing lights dangling from the towering trees with s’mores and hot cocoa at the end of the route. This year they feature Santa’s Holly Jolly Yurt dates where you can meet and great the jolly man in the red suit – Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14; Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21.
  • The Aonach Mor Moonlight Dinner is a distinctive fine-dining experience, hosted on select weekends through the end of February. This intimate evening begins with a sleigh ride from the base of the mountain to North Peak where a roaring bonfire awaits. Inside a cozy cabin setting, a three-course candlelit dinner awaits while live acoustic music fills the air.
  • Get a different resort experience during one of the Night Hikes to North Peak, hosted on Saturdays (and other limited dates, coinciding with holiday weekends) at 6:30 pm through February. Take the Heather Express up to the top of the hill and then, with snowshoes and headlamps, trek to the North Peak warming hut to enjoy hot cocoa and warm kettle corn before descending back down the mountain via sleigh.
  • Hops n’ Highlands is a celebration of winter and craft beer, held outside at the base of the ski hill on Saturday, March 8. In addition to all the great brews, there is food, a DJ, and a Stein Hoisting Competition.
  • The Highlands also offers ice skating, tubing, ziplining, fat tire biking (including e-bikes), MoonBike Tours and Sno-Go Biking, ziplining, snowshoeing along 5km of dedicated trails and 1-hour horseback riding excursions. There is also apres-ski music all season long.

 

Ziplining adventures are available at The Highlands. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls has become one of Michigan’s top tourist attractions since the opening of the 1,200-foot-long, 118-foot-high pedestrian SkyBridge – the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge – in 2022. Even in winter, this bridge is drawing attention for its colorful sparkles with its “Lights in the Sky” display set against the white snowy backdrop. Want to know weather conditions on the hill…check out the official SkyBridge Live Webcam!

  • Lights in the Sky is an immersive experience with over 150,000 twinkle lights adorning the bridge. Take a scenic chair lift ride to the top and stroll across the magical bridge and back, then warm up by the cozy firepit or grab a bite to eat from the SkyBridge Food Truck.
  • SkyBridge Snowshoe Suppers are held on Saturday evenings from January 4 through March 10. This unique dining extravaganza includes a ride up the famous Hemlock chairlift, a stroll across the Skybridge followed by a hot toddy at Disciple’s Overlook. After a guided snowshoe hike back down the mountain, guests enjoy a mouth-watering prime rib and shrimp buffet at Stein Eriksen’s.
  • Attention craft beer fans – you’re invited to explore the Boyne Ale Trail on Saturday, January 11. The resort transforms 3km of illuminated forest trails into a progressive evening with four stops serving up curated food and drink pairings, ending with a roaring bonfire at the Cross-Country Ski Center. This event is for those 21+.
  • Boyne Mountain also offers MoonBike and Sno-Go bike rentals, fat tire biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ziplining, tubing, ice skating and horseback riding, as well as the Avalanche Bay Waterpark for warming up after a day in the snow.

 

About the Author: Dianna Stampfler is an author, armchair historian, connoisseur of life, and president of Promote Michigan. Her favorite winter activities involve hiking with food and beverage sampling along the way.