Your Ultimate Winter Bucket List

Winter up here is what you make of it. So why not make something stupendous of this one?

By Ross Boissoneau | Dec. 12, 2020

Snowshoe and Sip in Boyne
At Boyne Valley Vineyards, you can enjoy a glass of wine and then snowshoe through the winery’s property to the trails at the Postle Nature Preserve — or snowshoe first and then enjoy your wine. Heck, maybe wine both before and after. However you choose to do it, co-owner Mary Ann Lippe said if a snowshoe through the vineyard and adjacent preserve aren't enough to warm you on a cold winter's day, the vineyard's igloos and firepits are sure to keep you toasty for your toasting.

Party like it’s 1226
Every 20 years, Jupiter and Saturn get buddy-buddy in the sky, and this year’s Great Conjunction is especially rare: The planets haven't been seen this close to one another since medieval times, 1226 to be exact. The Conjunction will take place Dec. 21, coincidentally the Winter Solstice. Star lore historian Mary Stewart Adams of northern Michigan, host of the weekly public radio program and podcast “The Storyteller’s Night Sky,” will share stories of the event and how it fits into history on Dec. 19. Go to her site at www.StorytellersNightSky.com under Upcoming Events to brush up, then grab a sleeping bag, a lawn chair, and spend some time looking up at our wondrous night sky. 

Zip, Zam, Zowie and Swoosh
At Boyne Mountain, it’s not all about hitting the slopes. In fact, you can fly down the hills without ever touching them on their ziplines. The all-thrills, no-skills adventure begins at the top of the mountain and routes you through trees and across the slopes of Boyne Mountain at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour on lines some 50 feet in the air and 780 feet in length. All told, the Boyne Mountain Zipline Adventure encompasses almost 4,300 feet of lines and drops over 50 stories. Go to www.BoyneMountain.com/winter-activities.

Run for the Hills Trees
Get ready, get set — get happy! The Michigan State Parks’ Happy Little 5K/ Run for the Trees Virtual 5K is officially on for 2021, and though the race itself doesn’t happen until the week between Earth Day and Arbor Day (April 22–30), you’ll want to register now. Why? Because every participant will receive (in addition to a commemorative bib number and finisher’s medal) a much-coveted Happy Little T-shirt featuring the face of the much-beloved painter of so many happy little trees, artist Bob Ross. The race, in which you can walk, run, or hike anywhere outdoors, is part of the Department of Natural Resources’ Happy Little Trees program. Your $34 registration will help trees in state park campgrounds recover from invasive forest pests and diseases, and support tree-planting and preservation efforts. Go to tinyurl.com/sr6an4s. 

Snowshoe & Sip in Leelanau
When the snow flies, Snowshoes, Vines and Wines will once again return to the Leelanau’s Black Star Farm’s HQ, where guests will enjoy hiking through miles of trails through the orchard, vineyard and surrounding forest. Following snowshoeing, a hot lunch, mulled wine and cider await on the facility’s outdoor heated terrace. The event runs Saturdays 12pm–4pm, weather permitting, through February. Masks required except for when eating and drinking. Due to the mandates restricting entrance to its tasting rooms, Black Star Farms is also offering discounted wines with curbside pickup and free shipping for purchases of at least six bottles.

Bike Outside — or Inside (No Pricey Pelaton Needed!)
There’s no time like now to begin training for Grayling’s famous bike race, the (19th!) annual Black Bear Gran Fondo in Grayling, which should — provided this pandemic is behind us — happen sometime in summer 2021. And what better way to get those quads in shape than to pick up a fat bike — or a Wahoo Kickr Smart Bike Trainer, which you can use indoors with your own trusty steed — at Grayling’s own Northbound Outfitters. Whether you’re readying yourself for the Gran’s 100-mile, 62-mile or 45-mile loop, summer will be here before you know it. Right after winter and spring. Go to www.NorthboundOutfittersMI.com and look under Events for updates.

Become a Citizen Scientist Birdwatcher
If you think you’re seeing fewer feathered friends than you used to, you are correct. Bird populations have been in decline since the ’60s, with estimates that we have lost 3,000,000 birds over the last 50 years. Winter bird counts help scientists track bird movements, assess bird population health, and guide meaningful conservation action. It’s also a neat way to spend a wintry afternoon. You can join a local bird count, which take place at numerous locations throughout the region, by signing up at tinyurl.com/y2m39suq. Want to stick closer to home? You can also participate in a winter feeder survey just by watching the birds at your feeder. Go to www.feederwatch.org for more information.

Throw Something
Clay Maas and his partner, Phil Wilson, are offering two two-hour ceramics workshops, Wheel Throwing and Adult Hand Building, starting in January, in Traverse City. The studio offers small class sizes (six students max to one instructor), with masking, social distancing, and thorough cleaning. Classes include clay, instruction, glazing, and firing. Each workshop is offered twice each month. Go to www.ClaySpaceTC.com for pricing and more information. 

Go Ghost Hunting
It’s the time of the year for presents, eggnog, and — ghosts? Well, maybe. Learn about the darker side of Traverse City’s history on a Haunted Traverse Ghostwalking Tour (private groups only with social distancing), which weaves history, ghost stories, and the paranormal into a jam-packed hour and a half. Stops include the Perry Hannah House, Carnegie Library, WTCM Building, City Opera House and State Theater, even a short ghost hunt using EMF and Thermal Temperature Readers at Traverse City’s first official cemetery. Skeptics welcome! Go to www.HauntedTraverse.com.

Battle it Out … Softly
What’s better than paintball or laser tag? Well, really good cheesecake is right up there, but how about combining the two activities into Battleball? At the WarZone Traverse City, you can play this exciting game, pitting two teams of four against one another, both armed with a variety of Nerf ball guns. It’s located at 1407 Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City, and yes, all COVID-19 restrictions are complied with. Go to www.TheWarZoneTC.com.

Scha-wing!
By all accounts, it was an amazing summer for golf courses, particularly since the late spring/early summer season didn’t even exist. But with snowflakes in the air, golf season is over — or is it? At XGolf in Traverse City, you can crush those monster drives or work on your slice year-round. Located next to Buffalo Wild Wings and Grand Traverse Mall, the facility’s state-of-the-art golf simulators are the next-best thing to actually hitting the links. Of course, the pandemic means things are always subject to change. Go to www.XgolfTraverseCity.com or visit its Facebook page for the latest. 

Skate Away
When the lakes freeze, slip on those skates and try your hand at figure eights. Or you can head to the rink in the park in the quaint village of Walloon Lake and rent skates for free at Tommy’s Walloon. (Though if they’re free, is it really renting?) The rink is open during Tommy’s business hours, currently 12pm–8pm daily, weather permitting, of course. Tommy’s also offers cross-country ski rental for use on the nearby trails. If you’re unsure on the blades, you can get free ice-skating lessons Saturdays from 10 to noon at the Harbor Springs SK8 Park; call (231) 526-0610.

Light Up the Night on Sled, Snowshoes, or Skis
Charlevoix’s Mount McSauba has been greeting winter lovers since 1956. You can ski (downhill and cross -ountry) or skate, or … wait for it … go sledding at night! That’s right, the city-owned winter sports park offers free lighted sledding on the hill (toboggans not recommended). As if that wasn’t enough, you can try snowshoeing or cross -ountry skiing on candle-lit trails every Friday from 5pm to 8pm, Dec. 18 through February (excluding Christmas). Mount McSauba is located at the corner of Pleasant Street and McSauba Road; call (231) 547-3267.

Light Up Your Kid Crew
Get outside with the kids on an illuminating nighttime snowshoe hike this season! Snowglow snowshoes from Tubbs are sure to keep the little ones having fun on the trail. Recommended for ages 4–8, the flashing LED lights are activated with every stride. Available at Bearcub Outfitters in Petoskey, both for sale and as part of the store’s rental program. Great fun for the little ones, and for the big ones to watch.

Start XC Skiing — or Improve Your Skills
Cross-country skiing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get a workout. Whatever your ability level, it’s always helpful to get a few pointers. That’s where the good folks at Nub’s Nob and The Outfitter of Harbor Springs come in. Wednesdays at 7pm, Nub’s Nordic Nights feature a skills clinic, plus a group or individual ski. Open to all ages and abilities, from beginners to advanced. Nordic Nights are free with a nordic ski pass or season pass. (Insider tip: Get a discount by mentioning you’re part of Nordic Nights.)

Travel Afar Without Leaving the Farm
Feed your inner artist and travel the globe in this four-week Crooked Tree workshop series. You’ll visit a different exotic location each week (yes, online) and learn to visually translate that experience from photos to drawing, watercolors or mixed media. It kicks off with a visit to Paris Jan. 14, followed by Greece, Argentina, and that totally exotic land, California. There’ll even be time following class for a happy hour and to share your progress with other students. Go to www.CrookedTree.org, click Get Involved, and scroll down to Untravel the World. 

Ride a Giant Donut
Of course, it depends on cooperation from Mother Nature, but tubing the hill at Timberlee is always a great time for the whole family. No special skills or experience needed to have fun, fun, fun. While the restrictions imposed by the pandemic may restrict use of the lodge, it’s all about sliding down the hill, hooking up to the tow rope to easily ride back up, and then doing it all over again. The hope is for some more cold weather and fluffy snow to get the hills ready to go. Check Facebook or go to www.TimberleeHills.com for the latest updates.

Become an Instant Ice Angler
Tiny Bubbles Charters offers a complete ice-fishing experience — or will, as soon as some of Benzie’s lakes freeze over. The Frankfort-based company offers the easiest way to ice fish, whether on Crystal Lake (lake trout, perch, and smelt, within walking distance of shore) or on Betsie Bay, which gives up some huge pike throughout the winter. Their Shanty Deluxe Special sets you up with a shelter, heat, all equipment (rods, reels, spears, etc.), bait and tackle, a bit of professional guidance, and — worth far more than the $350+ package — fish cleaning. The package accommodates up to three people, available seven days a week. Call (231) 383-1500 or go to www.TinyBubblesCharters.com. 

Say “Braaaap!” Like You Know What You’re Talking About
Want to experience fun on the trails while you’re sitting down? K&R Outfitters of Cadillac offers guided snowmobile tours through Wexford, Osceola, Lake, Benzie, and Manistee Counties. Enjoy a relaxed pace on fully groomed snowmobile trail systems, all on snowmobiles the company provides. In deference to the pandemic, this year, a trail lunch will also be provided. You can get all the details and book your time on the company’s Facebook page, or call (785) 221-9679.