Winter Fun michigan cottages

Winter, spring, summer or fall – there’s always something to do Up North. Arcadia Winters offer groomed slopes at Crystal Mountain, one of the mid-west's premier ski destinations. Or, our Glen Arbor cottage offers skiing at The Homestead. Other activities include snowboarding and tubing, ice skating and snow shoeing, snow mobiling and ice fishing. Keep reading for ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, fishing and other winter fun activities!

We offer easy access to all of the fun Northern Lower Michigan Winter attractions, natural and man-made. We welcome snowmobiles during the winter and all types of Winter sports are doable nearby, including Winter ice fishing and Winter nordic ski sports. Cross country skiing, XC, X-C or cross-country ski - call it what you will, we have 35 miles of lakeshore park trails for doing it! The cottages are near the most scenic and best ski trails in Michigan.

If you Downhill ski, we are located in what is known as the "snow-belt", one of Michigan's best areas. Lake Michigan produces lake effect snow as the winds blow across the lake and then dump it along the Northwestern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula.

Snowmobiling is one of Michigan’s most popular wintertime activities. Hit the trails with family or friends for an afternoon skimming along a glistening Lake Michigan shoreline or spend a weekend exploring hundreds of miles of inter-connecting trails. The state has more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails maintained and groomed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), local organizations, and snowmobile clubs, affording snowmobilers access to some of the state’s most scenic and national forest lands.

Good news from the Traverse City Record Eagle Newspaper...

Once again the park rangers at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will provide complimentary snowshoe hikes through the park. Hikes begin after Christmas (Dec 27 & 30, 2007) at the park's main visitor's center (M-72/Empire) at 1 p.m. Loaner snowshoes will be offered each Saturday and Sunday in January and February.
The Park's rangers start each session with a basic lesson in the comfy confines of the visitor's center, then you drive your car to designated trail to begin your mile and a half of guided hiking. Dress for the weather (in layers, of course) and plan to hike until 3 p.m. Free "loaner" snowshoes are loaned by the park but you still gotta pay the regular car fee to enter the park...a small price to pay for memories (and digital pictures that last a lifetime), or until your hard drive crashes, which ever comes first. Seriously, call (231) 326-5134, ext. 328 for reservations.

Gold Card ski passes benefit Hall of Fame

Gold Card ski passes will enable skiers unlimited skiing at 14 ski areas across the state this winter. Funds raised from the sale of the card will be used to support the Hall of Fame.

A great deal, as it provides free skiing at 14 different areas throughout the state all winter and there are no black out dates. The only restriction is that the pass can only be used once per day.

The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association believes that the Ski Michigan Gold Pass will help promote more awareness of Michigan's ski resorts and stimulate more business for those that are participating.

Cost of a pass is $1,000 (but $400 of that will be eligible for tax receipt purposes as a donation to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame and Museum).

Further information on the Ski Michigan Gold Pass can be found on the Ski Hall of Fame's web site, www.skihall.com or by calling 906-485-6323.

Ski areas and resorts participating in the program are: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville; The Homestead Resort, Glen Arbor; Apple Mountain, Freeland; Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs; Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls; Cross Country Ski, Roscommon; Hanson Hills, Grayling; Marquette Mountain, Marquette; Mount Holly, Holly; Mont Ripley, Houghton; Shanty Creek, Bellaire; Ski Brule, Iron River; Snow Snake, Harrison; Swiss Valley, and Jones.

Need a cure for cabin fever?

Here's some examples of Winter activity and down hill skiing available in our area:

The Homestead Resort
Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Phone: (231)334-5000
In the gorgeous Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, along a mile-long Lake Michigan sandy shore, come enjoy some of the activities that include swimming, tennis, fishing, hiking, biking, golfing at our on-site course, Mountain Flowers and programs for the kids! Downhill skiing and boarding with panoramic views. Night skiing, and terrain parks or snowshoe in and around the woods.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
9922 Front Street (Park Headquarters)
Highway M-72
Empire, MI 49630
Phone: (231)326-5134
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km (35 mi.) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its
outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district.
Crystal Mountain - Ski hills open Nov 24
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive
M 115
Thompsonville, MI 49683
Toll Free: (800)968-7686
A year-round resort located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City. Amenities include 36 holes of golf, 45 downhill slopes, over 40 km of cross-country trails, groomed for both track and skate skiing, half pipe and 4 parks for snowboarding. Dining, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center and IACC approved conference facilities for groups of up to 300 people. We feature two distinctive golf courses: Mountain Ridge and Betsie Valley. New in July of 2004 is The Park at Water's Edge, a one-acre, outdoor water park complex that features a 4,200 sq. ft. pool and accommodates over 350 bathers. We now have Michigan Legacy Art Park on site that has many activities during the year and has the ability to
be rented for most functions.
Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council
PO Box 525
Suttons Bay, MI 49680
The Nordic ski areas that comprise the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council are committed to providing you with the finest and most diversified cross-country skiing, plus service at a level that we're sure will meet your expectations. There will always be good skiing somewhere among our member facilities, and all our members will make sure you're accurately informed about the latest trail conditions. Northern Brass Rentals
3190 North 13 Road
Mesick, MI 49668
Toll Free: (888) 747-6915
1st Alt. Toll Free: (888) 646-7533
Snowmobile rentals by the day or weekend. Located near the Cadillac snowmobile trail system.
Sunset Watersports and Snowblitz Snowmobile Rental
316 Huron Street
PO Box 1932
Traverse City, MI 49685
Toll Free: (800)748-0303
Phone: (231)932-1800
Conveniently located at the Grand Traverse Resort or in the hub of the trails at Ranch Rudolph. Provides single seater, double seater and sport model Ski Doo sleds. All sleds have heated hand grips. We also rent jet skis, jet boats and pontoon boats. Free delivery to any of the area snowmobile trail heads or anywhere there's water within 25 miles!Our Glen Arbor Cottage is completely surrounded by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park, and only about 2 miles from the slopes at The Homestead Resort

Sugar Loaf Resort in Leelanau County is under new management and will likely re-open for the 2006 - 2007 ski season. It's a great downhill ski resort boosting the highest vertical ski hill in Michigan

Did you know that...the ice fishing is great in this area of Michigan. The local paper recently reported a 44" Northern Pike was caught through the ice on the Little Glen Lake (WOW!).

...This is the fourth year that a snowmobiler trial connection extends through Leelanau County. Starting at Maple City, snowmobilers travel south to Benzie and Manistee counties, to a junction near Welston. Then they can go south to Grand Rapids or east to Cadillac and eventually to Paradise, in the U.P. The Mackinac Bridge Authority even has means for carrying snow mobiles across the Mackinaw Bridge. The Benzie-Manistee Snowbirds groom the trail network in those two counties and Leelanau.

...The Bay Area Transportation Authority provides bus service throughout Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties including service on Christmas and New Year’s days plus free bus service on New Year’s Eve. On Saturday, Dec. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 1, bus service will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make reservations for a ride, passengers should call 941-2324 by 4 p.m. the day prior to their trip.

...The bus now runs from Glen Arbor to Traverse City every day! Other Leelanau County area stops as well (i.e., casino).

...That less than 23% of the land in Glen Arbor Township is privately owned. Most of the area is undeveloped and unspoiled forests, rivers, lakes and dunes.

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Our Arcadia Cottages are less than 15 miles from the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort

Crystal Mt. Ranked #1 Resort by SKI Magazine...
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. – SKI Magazine’s annual "2005 Top 60 Resort Guide," the definitive ranking of North American ski resorts, recently named Crystal Mountain as the "No. 1 ski Resort in the Midwest." In addition to being named the number one resort overall in the Midwest, Crystal received #1 in Dining & #2 in Family Programs honors as well.

Resorts were ranked in seventeen categories, including: Grooming, Terrain, Challenge, Lifts, Service, Lodging, Dining, Off-Hill Activities, Family Programs and Terrain Parks by more than 20,000 SKI subscribers of two or more years.

Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, year-round resort featuring 45 downhill slopes, 40+ km of cross-country trails, and 36 holes of championship golf.

Crystal is also home to the Michigan Legacy Art Park, a non-profit 30-acre outdoor park that blends art with nature. Imagine hiking down a forest trail and coming upon a giant frog made of galvanized steel coated with copper. Such a sculpture might seem out of place, unless you're in the Michigan Legacy Art Park, where nature is combined with 24 larger-than-life works of art. Located on 30 acres adjacent to Crystal Mountain Resort, the Art Park is open year-round and offers a unique insight into the peoples and events that have shaped Michigan's heritage

Glen Arbor Snowboarding and Downhill Skiing
The Homestead Resort Glen Arbor 0 miles
Crystal Mountain Thompsonville 24 miles
Hickory Hills Ski Area Traverse City 30 miles
Mt. Holiday Ski & Rec Area Traverse City 30 miles
Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort Cadillac 55 miles
Shanty Creek Resort Bellaire 55 miles

Arcadia Area Downhill Skiing     City   Miles from Arcadia Cottages:
Crystal Mountain              Thompsonville 19 miles away
Homestead Resort           Glen Arbor 26
Hickory Hills Ski Area      Traverse City 43
Mt. Holiday Ski Area        Traverse City 43
Caberfae Peaks Ski          Cadillac 50
Shanty Creek Resort         Bellaire 72
Missaukee Mountain         Lake City 73

Here's a list of Michigan resorts that offer downhill skiing and when they will open their down hill ski slopes for the Winter 2005-2006 season:

MICHIGAN
         Alpine Valley - Plan to Open TBA
         Apple Mountain - Plan to Open TBA
         Big Powderhorn - Plan to Open 11/25
         Bittersweet - Plan to Open TBA
         Blackjack - Plan to Open 12/03
         Boyne Highlands - Plan to Open 11/25
         Boyne Mountain - Plan to Open 11/25
         Caberfae Peaks - Plan to Open TBA
         Cannonsburg - Plan to Open 11/25
         Crystal Mountain - Open!
         Hanson Hills - Plan to Open TBA
         Hickory Hills - Plan to Open 12/27
         Indianhead - Plan to Open 11/24
         Marquette - Plan to Open TBA
         Mont Ripley - Plan to Open TBA
         Mount Bohemia - Plan to Open TBA
         Mt Brighton - Fri 5:13p loose granular machine groomed 6 - 14 base
          10% open, 2 lifts
         Mt Holiday - Plan to Open TBA
         Mt Holly - Sat 9:59p packed powder machine groomed 6 - 14 base 4
          trails, 21% open, 5 lifts
         Norway Mountain - Plan to Open 11/25
         Nub's Nob - Plan to Open 11/24; Nov 17: 2" new
         Pine Mountain - Plan to Open TBA
         Porcupine Mountains - Plan to Open TBA
         Shanty Creek - Plan to Open 11/24
         Ski Brule - Sun 4:00a packed powder machine groomed 8 - 36 base 2
          trails, 12% open, 2 lifts
         Snow Snake - Plan to Open TBA
         Swiss Valley - Plan to Open TBA
         The Homestead - Plan to Open TBA
         Timber Ridge - Plan to Open TBA
         Treetops - Plan to Open 12/16