http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/traverse-city-snowboard-skiing-great-family-fun/ http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/traverse-city-snowboard-skiing-great-family-fun/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:26:39 +0000 visitupnorth http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/?p=392

Local snowboarding and downhill skiing offers great family fun with accommodations close by too. Call us today for a cozy getaway, and come play in northern Michigan for a fun filled winter escape.
Our toll free number is 800-901-8922
wwwvisitupnorth.com

Hickory Hills
2000 Randolph Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 922-4910
Located on the west side of town, Hickory Hills is a community run, hometown ski area that offers limited downhill facilities with rope tows only. Slopes are beginner to intermediate, with a 240-foot vertical drop. Owned by the City of Traverse City.

Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area
3100 Holiday Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 938-2500
Join us for all the family fun! Skiing and snowboarding on 16 runs, beginner to advanced. Also snow tubing with express return lift. Lessons for everyone from beginner to advanced levels, individuals and groups. PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors Association) certified. Season passes are available — call for prices.

Ask us for information about ski in- ski out condos that we offer and ski passes

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville
Discount lift tickets available when you stay with us and ski at Crystal. Long Lake and Davis Lake properties are a very easy drive to Crystal Mountain!

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http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/so-many-reasons-to-visit-glen-arbor-traverse-city-suttons-bay-lake-michigan-this-winter/ http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/so-many-reasons-to-visit-glen-arbor-traverse-city-suttons-bay-lake-michigan-this-winter/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:26:14 +0000 visitupnorth http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/?p=2313

Here in Leelanau County “lake effect” is often heard. This is produced by temperature differences above the open water and the shoreline. Locals don’t go into hiding when winter strikes though. Instead, they bundle up and play hard and welcome visitors to do the same. Make your own memories. Check out a few reasons to Visit Up North. This is also a great time to save on lodging. Off peak rates apply so the savings are terrific. Call today and let us help you plan a winter retreat. 800-901-8922.

Gallery Hop

This area boasts many top notch galleries featuring local and national artists. More than 50 galleries dot this area.

Snowshoe
This area is a wonderland for winter activities. Snowshoe the Sleeping Bear Dunes Empire, Houdek Dunes in Leland or the Leelanau Trail that takes you from Suttons Bay to Traverse City on marked trails.

Drink Wine

This mini Napa area has some of the tastiest white wines and fascinating reds in the country. With more than 25 wineries to choose from you will need more than a day to visit them all.

Catch a movie

The now restored State Theatre in downtown Traverse City is a treat all on it’s own. Featuring classic to Indie films, a family friendly setting and the most dazzling ceiling of fiber optics that mimic our Northern sky, it is not to be missed.

Eat a fireside breakfast in bed

Guests at Visit Up North Vacation Rentals, can turn on a gas fireplace, curl up in a heavy duvet and enjoy some local treats. Strong, hot coffee from Higher Grounds goes down easily with a scone from Potters Bakery. Outside, the sky fades from pink to blue above the ice-shrouded Lake Michigan. Ahhh Michigan.

]]> http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/so-many-reasons-to-visit-glen-arbor-traverse-city-suttons-bay-lake-michigan-this-winter/feed/ 0 http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/snowmobile-trails-in-and-around-traverse-city-come-join-the-fun/ http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/snowmobile-trails-in-and-around-traverse-city-come-join-the-fun/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:40:01 +0000 visitupnorth http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/?p=415

This 81-mile-long trail system winds through the Pere Marquette Forest south and east of Traverse City. It is composed of three individual sections: North Trail, East Trail and West Trail. Entry is from Dollar Lake, Kalkaska or from the High Lake Spur staging areas.

Starting at High Lake Road south of Supply Road, the five-mile-long High Lake Spur runs east to Rasho Road and on to the North Trail. This trail brings snowmobilers directly into East Bay Township and has three nearby staging areas.

Peegeo’s Restaurant on High Lake Road is the official home of the Traverse City Snow Spiders Snowmobile Club and is just south of the trailhead. The second area is located on Rasho Road and has plowed parking, while the third staging area is at Dollar Lake on Supply Road.

The East Trail links Kalkaska to the Manistee River Bridge. Enter at Fife Lake or Walton Junction.

The West Trail is southwest of Traverse City around Hoosier Valley. This trail offers several opportunities for riding at a quicker pace. It extends east to Fife Lake, southeast to Manton and southwest of Mesick and the Cadillac trail system link. Access is found at Beitner Road or Hoosier Valley Road.

Boardman Valley Staging Areas

High Lake Spur — Peegeo’s Restaurant-parking, food, nearby gas and trail access. 525 High Lake Road, a mile south of Supply Road, or at Rasho Road–parking and restrooms. Located on Rasho Road one mile south of Supply Road.

Dollar Lake — Parking just west of the intersection of Supply Road and Williamsburg Road. Approximately 10 miles outside of Traverse City.

Hoosier Valley — In the Northwestern Michigan Fair Grounds parking lot, approximately 1/4 mile East of M-37S on Blair Townhall Rd. Approximately 10 miles south of Traverse City.

Fife Lake — Staging area off M 186 at Pierce Road.

Ranch Rudolf — Although not an official staging area, it’s a great place to stop for warming up, meals or accommodations.

Kalkaska Area Trails

This group of trails offers connections to the trails in the East Jordan area with links to Grayling and other northern and northeastern areas of the state. The scenery is spectacular and the riding is great.

The Blue Bear Trail has 45 miles of groomed winter fun. Enter 11 miles east of Kalkaska on M 72.

The Mis-Kal Line Trail runs east and west between Manton and the Higgins Lake area and connects with trails to other statewide destinations.

The Cranberry Lake Trail links the Mis-Kal Trail with the Blue Bear Trail for extended riding. The Mis-Kal Line Trail may be entered at the staging area in Fife Lake, and the Cranberry Lake Trail begins seven miles west of Higgins Lake or between Kalkaska and Grayling on the Blue Bear Trail.

Kalkaska Trail Staging Areas

Kalkaska – Warming station and parking area located in downtown Kalkaska just off of US 131 on First Street.

M 72 East – Parking area off M 72 approximately 11 miles east of Kalkaska on the north side of the highway.

need to rent a snowmobile? Snowblitz has the perfect machine to play in the snow. Contact them at 231-932-1800.
http://www.snowblitz.com

http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/northern-michigan-travels-tell-us-where-you-like-to-go-is-there-a-special-beach-hiking-trail-dinernorthport-leland-traverse-city-elk-rapids-suttons-bay-interlochenwe-want-to-know/ http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/northern-michigan-travels-tell-us-where-you-like-to-go-is-there-a-special-beach-hiking-trail-dinernorthport-leland-traverse-city-elk-rapids-suttons-bay-interlochenwe-want-to-know/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:56:18 +0000 visitupnorth http://www.visitupnorth.com/blog/?p=303 Visiting the great “Up North” is an experience to be shared. With miles of pristine waters, big blue skies, miles of hiking and biking, star gazing, festivals, nature watching and well the list just goes on and on. Whether it is baseball or fudge, napping under a tree or dining at your fav eatery, we want to know. Feel free to post your pics and tips. Have a great summer.
www.visitupnorth.com