If it’s been ages since you’ve taken a girls’ trip, what better month than February to show your besties just how much you adore them. These wintry getaways will help you reconnect, relax and rejuvenate and, in at least one case, experience one seriously epic adventure you’ll all be talking about for years to come.
The “Let’s (mostly) stay in, there’s so much to catch up on” Getaway
If getting comfy on the couch, sipping wine and talking with old friends for hours sounds like your kind of escape, this one is for you.
Book a stay at Aurora Cellars’ 1800s Victorian farmhouse on the Leelanau Peninsula. Used for weddings through summer and fall, the farmhouse is now open for winter experiences. Your group can opt for wine and grocery service (stocked for your arrival!), as well as catered à la carte services such as private chef bookings, massages, yoga classes on the property and off-site sleigh rides.The winery also recently added a barrel sauna at the house. When you’re ready to stretch your legs, head outdoors and check out the two groomed snowshoe trails around the vineyard (and hike to the Tuscan-inspired tasting room for a variety of whites and reds, and soup made with all-Michigan ingredients). Igloo seating is also an option.
Contact Missy Check at eventstaff@auroracellars.com for more information on farmhouse experiences.
Photo by Angela Brown
Related Read: Searching for more snowy adventures Up North? View our Northern Michigan Winter page to start planning your trip.
The “Let’s relax, but also exercise a little” Getaway
How about a weekend at an Up North resort that provides the perfect mix of physical movement and ample downtime (think massages, pedicures and facials)?
First, get moving by stepping into cross-country skis or snowshoes, hopping on a fat tire bike or gliding across the on-site ice rink—all of which are outdoor activities available at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. You’ll find additional trails for exploring at Michigan Legacy Art Park, located on resort grounds in a densely wooded 30-acre preserve. After breaking a sweat, indulge in some well-deserved pampering at the Crystal Spa. Book a stay at the resort’s Cottages at Water’s Edge, which sleep six to nine people, feature a gas-log fireplace or gas wood stove, and are just steps away from the slopes. Find wine and snacks at the nearby Mountain Market, where the folks there will fill your fridge before you arrive.
Related Read: Current Snowboard & Ski Conditions Across Northern Michigan.
The “We’re never going to forget this” Getaway
For the most adventurous, a guided ice-climbing trip in the U.P. is an experience you’ll always remember.
Down Wind Sports— with locations in Munising, Marquette and Houghton—offers a variety of trips, whether you’ve climbed before or it’s your first time navigating deep snow and frozen landscapes. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising is the center of the ice-climbing world across the Mackinac Bridge, and where most of the excursions take place. Book a stay in Munising or find a larger selection of lodging options in Marquette, about a 45-minute drive west. For a bit of luxury after your outdoor pursuits, book a stay at a downtown Airbnb apartment in Marquette (search “Spacious Downtown Apt- 3 blocks from Lake Superior”) that sleeps five and is within walking distance of more than 15 bars and restaurants. We suggest warming up at Drífa Brewing Company, Michigan’s first cooperatively-owned craft brewery and one of only approximately 12 in the nation.
Photo by Angela Brown
Heather Johnson Durocher writes from Traverse City, where she lives with her husband, Joe, and their three kids. She is the founder of the travel and active lifestyle site MichiganRunnerGirl.com and also hosts a weekly podcast.
