LOCAL Spotlight written By: michigan tourism
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Unique Winter Sports in Michigan
inter is a wonderful time of year to break out the skis and snowboards and hit the slopes in Pure Michigan. However, there are a number of other winter sports to try out around the state that aren’t quite as common. Some adventurous winter sports enthusiasts have put their own spin on outdoor recreation with these five unique activities to try out in Pure Michigan.
Ice Climbing With miles of sandstone cliffs lined with hundreds of frozen waterfalls, Michigan is home to some of the best ice climbing spots in the country. As one of winter’s emerging sports, ice climbing combines challenge and adventure. With ropes and harnesses, ice climbers ascend stunning natural ice structures such as icefalls, frozen waterfalls, cliffs, and rock slabs. Ice climbing takes daring participants to breathtaking scenery that few experience. If you’d like to try ice climbing, Peabody Ice Climbing in Fenton, Michigan, features two towers, 45’ and 75’ tall, located on an old apple orchard. Ice climbing varies in difficulty; most beginners will start on a climb with a low incline until they are prepared for the challenge of vertical ice. Peabody’s is a great place for seasoned ice 58
climbers to train and a great introduction for people interested in the sport.
use and those who never have slid before! Equipment is provided.
Ice Luge For those inspired by the spectacular athletes going for the gold in the Winter Olympics, Muskegon Winter Sports Complex located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon State Park offers three luge tracks designed to introduce beginners to the sport of luge. Shorter in overall length than Olympic-style tracks, the Muskegon track provides an Olympic thrill with the safety of the participant in mind. There is also a naturbahn-style track (all-natural) in Marquette, Michigan.
Snow Biking Some cyclists across Michigan have put a new winter twist on their sport with snow biking! Snow biking is gaining popularity around the state and particularly in the Upper Peninsula. The Range Mountain Bike Club of Negaunee/Ishpeming is planning to groom some of its trail system this season, making Marquette County a true hub for winter cycling.
The 850’ track consists of six curves and two starting areas. Participants slide from the 3/4 mark at speeds up to 30 mph. The track is designed specifically for general public
Currently, Fatbikes (locally known as snow bikes) are a fast-growing segment of the bike industry. They use an oversized tire with low pressure to increase flotation and traction in soft conditions; they work in all types of terrain but excel like no other bike when it comes to riding on snow. Snow