Winter Activities in the Porcupine Mountains Area

Things To Do in the Porcupine Mountains Area

Ottawa National Forest

Paulding Mystery Light

WINTER

Winter is a time of true beauty and a multitude of activities for the enthusiast. The winter season is kicked off with the Hometown Christmas Celebration and the annual ski swap and ski season pass sale the first weekend in December. Although generally too early to ski as the snow doesn’t usually start to fly until later in the month, the weather is still perfect for a brisk hike. See the forest and its interior from a new perspective. Once the snow blankets the area, it is perfect for the winter sport activities. With over 1,000 miles of snowmobile trails routed over historical railroad bridges high above the surrounding forest landscapes and through the
If the quieter sports are more your interest, cross-country ski the 42 km of groomed trails, downhill ski the 15 runs for beginner to expert or snowshoe through the wilderness. Rent your equipment or bring your own. Don’t miss Telefest in January and Snowburst in February at the ski chalet. The ski chalet offers a cafeteria, ski shop, ski rentals, certified repairs, and a first aid room. Large fireplaces provide a warm and cozy setting while you take in the inspiring views of the slopes.

Skiing

Winter is always a magical time in the Porkies. The 2006-2007 season brought the biggest ski expansion in the Midwest—the addition of 20 new runs and your chance to be the first to experience Snowcat Skiing on the New Western Mountain “Everest”! Everest’s vertical drop is 787 feet and will offer skiers and riders the chance to explore over 100 acres of inbound back country terrain!

The 42 kilometers of cross country trails will be groomed for your enjoyment. And again this year Saturday evenings will host the lantern light ski.

Guided snowshoe hikes will be offered by the Park staff to give you yet another perspective of Michigan’s largest State Park winter wonderland.

For more details visit: www.mi.gov/porkies or skitheporkies.com.

Current skiing conditions

Snowmobiling

Snowmobile trails open December 1 and stay open until March 31 (snow dependent).

The Porcupine Mountain area has 350 miles of groomed and marked trails for snowmobiling enthusiasts! The trails pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwest. Cruise over impressive historical railroad bridges high above surrounding forest landscapes for breathtaking views. See the Porkies in the winter. Lake of the Clouds and South Boundary Road are groomed rather than plowed for a one of a kind experience in Michigan’s largest State Park.

You can ride the trail systems from Watersmeet, Bergland, Bruce Crossing, Ewen, Trout Creek, White Pine, Silver City, Greenland, Mass City, Rockland, and Ontonagon. We are the second largest county in the Upper Peninsula.

Trails range from scenic to challenging. The Porcupine Mountain area is the ideal location for the hub of your trip. From nightly lodging to cabins on Lake Superior, there are clean and friendly accommodations to meet your needs. Gas stations, parts, transport, food and spirits are readily available along the trail system.

The trail system connects with the Upper Peninsula’s 2,500 miles of trails as well as Northern Wisconsin’s trail system. You will enjoy hundreds of miles of connecting trails through our pristine forests. For the last 10 years, the average snowfall has been over 200 inches!

You haven’t experienced snowmobiling until you have snowmobiled here! And don’t forget to come again during Spring, Summer and Fall for thunderous waterfalls, miles of hiking trails, historic sites, mine tours, wildlife and superb fall color.

Current snowmobile trail conditions

A little about Michigan State Trail Permits: The state permits must be displayed on your sled! The trail permits are available at participating dealers such as gas stations, hotels, and restaurants. Because of the $25 fee, Michigan is able to give the money back to the groomers, and the groomers in turn are able to groom the trails 7 days a week. Some trails are groomed twice a day.

We ask that as a guest to our region you support the businesses that support the groomers and the trail map. Trail maps are available throughout the county.

For more information and trail reports please check the following websites: www.ontonagonmi.org, www.superiorsights.com, www.lgacc.com, and www.westernup.info.

Other activities that can be enjoyed in the winter are snowshoeing, the museum, and cultural events. See the links above on the left for more information.

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