Go dogsledding, take a guided rafting trip, snowshoe by moonlight—get outside and play! Here are some of our favorite winter activities in the Charlevoix area.
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Meet the pups at Second Chance Mushers and experience a uniquely northern winter activity—dogsledding. Head to Rocky Top Farms in Ellsworth for breathtaking dogsled rides, where you’ll glide through trees and fields along some of the North’s most scenic terrain. (Note: Rides earlier in the day will be faster due to the dogs’ excitement!) After your gleeful jaunt, enjoy a meet and greet with the huskies, then cozy up around the fire pit and roast s’mores. These rescued pups are sure to put a smile on your face.
For the adrenaline junkie, Shanty Creek Resort’s Schuss Mountain is known for its top-notch alpine skiing—from easy, slow-burn cruising along the Concourse to Chicken Run, to belly-flipping runs like the 450-foot vertical Kingdom Come. Beyond the downhill rush, visitors can also enjoy a host of other wintry activities: Nordic skiing Shanty Creek’s 28km of groomed cross-country trails, fat biking or snowshoeing 3km of groomed multipurpose trail, and alpine tubing with the kiddos. Those looking for even more adventure can head just a few miles away from the resort to snowmobile the Jordan Valley Trail System (local outfitters include Snow-blitz and Blue Sky Rentals).
Find fat bike freedom at Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area. This Bellaire gem is home to a trail system that encompasses more than 800 acres of forested land, lovingly maintained by the Friends of Glacial Hills. Last winter, about 7.5 miles of trails were groomed for fat biking, accessible from either the Main Vandermark trailhead or the Orchard Hill trailhead. If you’re looking to rent a fat bike, head to Revolution Bike in Charlevoix for a great selection (plus, their knowledgeable staff is ready to assist first-timers).
Swoon-worthy winter rafting. Take a guided winter rafting trip with Jordan Valley Outfitters in East Jordan, and you’ll feel like you’re living in a snow globe. Your adventure begins at Graves Crossing along the wild and scenic Jordan River, where you’re safely placed into a white water–style raft. But you won’t find any rapids here—just a gentle float down the river, observing the natural beauty of the Jordan River Valley, and enjoying a mid-trip break for a hot drink and a treat.
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With kids in tow, head to Charlevoix’s Mt. McSauba—an affordable, family-friendly ski area that’s truly a winter recreation playground. Enjoy lighted downhill skiing, a snowboarding/terrain park, lighted and groomed cross-country trails (plus 80 acres of ungroomed trails), a lighted sledding hill, a skating rink with a warming cabin and more. Visitors can also take advantage of skiing and snowboarding lessons (register online), or participate in a beloved tradition: candlelight hikes. This will be the sixth season of these Friday night treks, where you can snowshoe, hike or even cross-country ski on candle-lit trails at your own pace (and sip some cocoa by a roaring fire).
Explore at night. The folks at Grass River Natural Area host an array of enchanting events each winter, like their moon-lit guided snowshoe hikes. These serene treks are led by a naturalist who will help you look for signs and sounds of the forest’s nocturnal wildlife. (Bring your own snowshoes, or rent some there for $5.) Or try a self-guided lantern-lit ski along groomed trails, and finish your trip at the center’s pavilion, where a warm, crackling campfire awaits. For more fun, return by the light of day to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski Grass River’s seven miles of trails.
