We have a more wintery winter… so that mean sledding, snowshoeing and other outdoor fun. There are a lot of ways to get out and enjoy the snow this weekend. So find your snow pants, toasty gloves and play in the snow!
Did you get new snowshoes for Christmas? Or maybe you just had too many Christmas cookies? If either is true, get out and enjoy a winter walk at Charlevoix’s Mt McSauba on Friday night. Experience the magic of snowshoeing, hiking or cross-country skiing on candle-lit trails. The length of the trail is about a mile. You set your own pace on this self-guided journey. The hike will begin at the sledding hill parking lot. The event takes place between 5 – 8 PM. Dress for the weather! This event is free to attend. (PS… they do these walks every Friday night through winter.)
Another way to love winter is feeling like a kid again as you’re sledding down the hill. But wait… you hate to walk back up? Then you’ll love the Sledding and S’mores event at Kiwani’s Park in Harbor Springs on Saturday, January 11th from 4-6pm. Bring your sled for sledding, rides up the hill from the fire department, food, hot cocoa and s’mores around the bonfire. Great way to spend the afternoon with the family. It’s great free entertainment. They are planning on more sledding on January 25th and February 15th too.
If you’ve ever wanted to take a horse drawn sleigh ride, bundle up and head to Ranch Rudolph in Traverse City. They have two beautiful Belgian horses, Beau and Knox, ready to show you around on sled or wagon (depending on conditions.) This family-friendly ride is great for all ages and abilities. Bundle up (snow gear is encouraged and you are also welcome to bring blankets along if desired) to enjoy an approximately 40 minute ride in the Boardman River Valley. Groups of 2-10 people: $180 Groups of 11+ people: $18/person (ages 2 and under are free of charge) Reservations are required for this activity. Please call 231-947-9529 to reserve a ride for your group. See all their activities at ranchrudolf.com/winter-fun/
If you’re more of an inside foodie type, you can learn to make mozzarella cheese at Black Star Farms. Learn the art of hand-stretched mozzarella! The skilled cheesemakers from Leelanau Cheese will demonstrate how to craft this satisfying fresh cheese from local milk and a handful of basic ingredients. After class, taste your mozzarella two ways: fresh with extra virgin olive oil and seasonal condiments and baked on a Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza from their wood-fired oven. The event is Saturday starting at 2pm. Register at BlackStarFarms.com.
And if you’d like to kick off the weekend with an evening of family fun, stop by Pond Hill Farm from 5-8pm. Bring your loved ones together for an evening of old-fashioned family fun. Enjoy tubing down their new and improved Bluster Mountain Sled Hill (weather permitting), playing classic board games, gather around cozy bonfires roasting s’mores, sipping on hot cocoa, and indulging in a delicious homemade pizza. Fun way to start the weekend! They do it every Friday through the winter.
