Sports events in Northern Michigan this February 2014 range from ski festivals to ice fishing contests. Whatever floats your boat, this line up offers a sports event for every type of athlete.
White Pine Stampede   1

Michigan’s oldest point-to-point cross-country ski race. The 38th annual WPS stretches over the hills of Antrim County. Races include 10K, 20K and, new for 2014, 50K. Mancelona to Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. 800.678.4111, shantycreek.com.
Little Traverse Conservancy Outings   1, 8

Feb. 1 Goodhart Farms Nordic Adventure near Harbor Springs. 10am-noon, all abilities welcome. Registration requested. Feb. 1 Snowshoe Adventure, 10am-noon. Ski or snowshoe the newest three miles of trail in the Les Cheneaux region at the Derby Nature Preserve with LTC education assistant Caitlin Donnelly. Registration requested. Feb. 8 Winter Wildlife Adventure, 10am-noon. The Greenwood Foundation is a privately owned property near Wolverine. The field trip is free but skis and snowshoes are only provided for children 15 and under; please mention that you need snowshoes when you register. 231.347.0991, landtrust.org.
38th Annual Vasa Festival of Races   7-9

Cross country ski events for casual touring skiers to elite professionals, with distances from 6K to 50K, plus the King Vasa Fat Bike Race. All events start and finish at Timber Ridge. Vasa events start on Fri. with skier registration, Fat Bike & Ski Demos and packet pick-up for pre-registered skiers. Vasa Pasta, an all-you-can-eat-carbo-load pasta feed is also offered. Races begin Sat. with the 50K classic races at 8am, followed by the 27K and 50K freestyle races, the 12K classic/freestyle race, and the juniors event. Junior Vasa races for young children (4 to 15) with distances of 1K and 3K start Sat. at 12:30pm. The Gran Travers 6K and 16K classic-only races start on Sun. at 9am. Register online. Traverse City, 231.938.4400, vasa.org. Check out this video of the 2010 Vasa Festival!
22nd Annual Top of the  Lake Snowmobile Show and Ride  14-15
Fri. 8am Breakfast at the Naubinway Pavilion (across from the Museum). Fri. 10am Ride & Bonfire. Ride 13 miles on Hiawatha Sportsmans Club. Fri. 4-8pm Grand Opening of the new building. Sat. 10am-3pm Show. Food Booth & Swap Area; all entries are free; display of this year’s featured sled: Side-by-Side Machines. Sat. 4:30-6pm Banquet, Drawings & Auction. Merchant drawings; Museum Raffle Drawing; 50/50 Drawing and an auction, proceeds go to the Top of the Lake Museum Building Fund. Naubinway, 906.477.6298, snowmobilemuseum.com.
U.P. Pond Hockey Championship   14-16

Pond hockey takes center stage Friday and Saturday, with championship games and awards on Sunday. More than 160 teams in a variety of age divisions—the largest adult pond hockey tourney in Michigan. St. Ignace, 906.643.8717, saintignace.org.
4th Annual Ice Fishing Contest   15

Bring your pole and bait. Free Fishing Weekend, no license required. Opens at 10am on Clam Lake; fish noon-3pm. $25 ticket gets you a predrilled hole, limit 2 per person, tickets available at One On One Sales in Mancelona. $1,500 in cash prizes. Heaviest Pike & Perch pays $500 each; 2nd place $150, 3rd place $50. Bonus of $150 heaviest fish (other species). Rules are posted at northaireresort.com. Bellaire, 231.533.6023, bellairechamber.org.
Snowshoe by Torchlight   22

Snowshoe by torchlight, then enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, cookies and a warming fire in the main lodge. Sponsored by Bearcub Outfitters to promote all that Camp Daggett offers children and community. Buy raffle tickets for Bearcub products with all proceeds going to Camp Daggett. Admission is free, donations are encouraged and snowshoes are available for all ages. Camp Daggett, Petoskey, 231.347.9742, campdaggett.org.
2nd Annual Dogman Challenge at Mt. McSauba   22
Revolution Bike hosts the Dogman Challenge Fat Bike Race. The Challenge is a 2-hour race that begins with a mass start at noon. The course is a fast and challenging 2-mile loop through the single-track trails of Mt. McSauba Recreation Area and North Point Nature Preserve. Awards, chili, prizes and more. Register at OneStopRace.com. Charlevoix, 231.237.0900, revbike.net.