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Remember the shakeup snow globe you loved as a child? Find it live at The Homestead.
Got snow? You betcha! In mid-November, The Homestead was bull’s-eye for the state’s first major snowstorm. Frigid air zipping down from the Northwest soaked up warmer air off the waters of Lake Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Bay (right out the resort’s back door) whipping up fat, sassy snow clouds that went POW with three feet of white when they hit the shoreline. Not even old-timers who live around The Homestead can recall ever seeing measurements like that so early in November.
It’s called lake effect snow. But at The Homestead, they call it zippity-do-da-day! The staff all pitched in to shovel walks and parking lots and to rev up the snowplows. “The snow got everyone excited for the upcoming season,” says senior manager, Tom Bartholomew. Truth be told, there was a round or two of jingle bells in that flurry of show shoveling.
But wait, those aren’t sleigh bells ringing (yet), it’s the phone ringing off the hook. Because anyone who has ever visited The Homestead knows that they know winter. When they plug in the holiday lights (they’re stringing hundreds upon hundreds of them right now), the sweet winter village at the base of the ski hill turns into a wonderland. Blizzards beware: the wine cellar is stocked at Nonnas—where Chef John Piombo is up to his elbows making homemade pasta for the holidays. The cocoa is hot and the locally brewed craft beer is cold over at Cavanaugh’s where Chef is also planning out a buffet of hot-to-go (or eat there) family dinners for rosy-cheeked folks just in from outdoor fun.
Experience Authentic Italian Food in the Midwest at Nonna’s Restaurant at The Homestead
And about that outdoor fun. Opening day for the ski hill is Friday, December 20. Staff-elves have turned on their 20 snow guns to add to what Mother Nature gifted us with. They are also waxing and tuning 1,000 pairs of Head and Elan rental skis so they’re ready to help you tackle the breathtaking ski and snowboard runs (you’ll see Lake Michigan like you’ve never seen it before). There is also a fleet of cross-country skis and boots to ready for heading out onto the snow-covered trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore that begin and end at the resort. Did we mention ice skating on The Homestead’s necklace of ponds that spill through the romantic village?
And if you overdo it outside (or even if you don’t), head to The Homestead’s Spa Amira for an Herbal Rest Hot Stone Massage—or any one of the several massage types. Can you say, ahhh?
What are you waiting for? Ring up The Homestead and get your jingle on. They’ve got snow!
14 Reasons to Treat Yourself to a Sleeping Bear Dunes Vacation at The Homestead Right Now!