Whether you’re a family looking for fun on snow and ice or a winter sports enthusiast looking for a real challenge, look to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! Snowmobilers, hockey players, and skiers will all be able to discover great experiences in these 7 Incredible Winter Activities & Events in St. Ignace, MI.
St. Ignace is the beginning of hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails across the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so it’s the perfect place to start your adventure – especially since they can be directly accessed from area motels and you can easily rent a snowmobile. Follow trails to the frozen, copper waterfalls of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Be sure to check here for trail conditions before you head out!
If it’s below zero with calm winds, it’s possible to snowmobile across the “Ice Bridge” that may form from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. This is one of the only ways to reach the island at that time once winter conditions become too hazardous for ferries. Note: the coast guard cautions that this is a dangerous endeavor with conditions that can change quickly. St. Ignace Visitors Bureau also advises snowmobile owners to use the ice bridge at their own risk. Locals line up Christmas trees on the path when they want to try the crossing.
Of course, if you’re an admirer or owner of an antique snowmobile, you won’t want to miss the Mackinac Bridge crossing of those great machines at Snowmobile the Mac! The caravan is certainly something to behold and drivers’ enthusiasm is contagious.
A trip to St. Ignace could see you cross-country skiing across majestic sand dunes with views of Lake Michigan! Sand Dune Cross Country Ski Trail contains groomed classic trails that vary in difficulty from beginner to expert and length from 1.5 to 7.6 miles. Your inner pioneer will love the warming cabin with a wood stove and outhouse.
As the trails are popular with locals, the paths at Straits State Park are often broken in. Conversely, trailblazers can make their own tracks at North Country Trail, which starts at the downtown boardwalk and heads northwest into the beautiful Hiawatha National Forest and features 3 shorelines of Michigan’s Great Lakes.
If downhill skiing is more your style, head to Doc Holle’s Silver Mountain for two downhill runs for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders with tow rope! Extend your time by visiting the warming chalet and snack bar located conveniently at the ski hill.
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If you’re just looking to ice skate, Little Bear Arena’s got that covered, too, with open skates! If you don’t have your own equipment, the facility also offers skate rental and skate sharpening. Find open skate times here!
Snowshoeing is just a form of hiking in the winter, and St. Ignace is one of the best places to start your journey. The Hiawatha National Forest is a popular place to hike, home to the Gros Cap Trails as well as the stunning Eben Ice Caves. The North Country Trail has 40+ miles of trails that aren’t groomed in the winter, making conditions perfect for snowshoeing.
6. Sledding
