Grayling Visitors Bureau

Winter Fun Days at Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling, Michigan, begins with Dollar Ski Night on Friday, February 4, 2011. This annual event offers fun and activities for all ages. This family-friendly ski area is popular for downhill and cross country skiing, and downhill tubing.

Schedule of Events:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH 3:30PM-9:00PM
$1 Night; Lift Tickets and Rentals, while supplies last!
Bonfire and Marshmallow roast
Live Music and D.J. with 98.5 WUPS
Coke and Monster samples all evening
Live performance by “Snap Ultra” from 7-10pm (after Hill closes).  $5donation for Terrain Park upkeep

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH 11:00AM-8:00PM
Free Lift Tickets and Trail Passes (rentals and tubing not included)
Bonfire and Marshmallow roast
Rip It Energy drink samples all day
Big Air Competition, practice at noon, starts at 1pm

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH 11:00AM-5:00PM
Free Lift Tickets and Trail Passes (rentals and tubing not included)
Chili Cook Off, 12-3pm
Sled Box Race Challenge, 2pm
Swim Suit Slalom and Slush Pit, 3pm
Griffin Beverages samples all day.

For more information, visit www.hansonhills.org or call 989-348-9266

Are you interested in learning about the forests of Hartwick Pines and Michigan in the winter? You now have a chance to experience the forests in the deep snow! Hartwick Pines State Park will again be offering several guided snowshoe hikes through the Old Growth Forest. Snowshoeing is a growing popular winter activity and these hikes will give visitors of Hartwick Pines a chance to try-out snow shoes and hike through the Lower Peninsula’s largest stand of old-growth White Pines, guided by a park interpreter or historian to learn about the forest in the winter and to hear how winter was important to Michigan’s logging industry in the 1800s.
The hikes begin at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center with an orientation and introduction to Hartwick Pines, a short talk on winter survival and equipment, and then depart from the auditorium of the visitor center for the woods. The hike is approximately one mile and will head through the old growth forest of white pine and hemlock and stop at deer beds, look for signs of porcupines and other animals that use the forest in the winter, and stop at the logging museum, where participants will have a chance to warm up with a cup of hot cider around the “camboose”, the elevated fire pit at the logging museum, and hear stories about the “shantyboys” enduring a winter in the woods. Participants may return to the visitor center on their own or explore other trails in the park.
Three guided hikes will be offered Saturdays; January 23, February 6 and 20, beginning at 1pm and lasting until about 3pm. The hikes will be limited to twenty participants for each hike, so advance registration is required. The hikes are free, but please call the Visitor Center at Hartwick Pines at (989) 348-2537 or stop in at the Visitor Center (normally open daily 9am to 4pm, but with limited hours during the holidays) to sign up. Some snowshoes are available to use for free, however check for availability when registering.

Hartwick Pines State Park will again be offering special evening ski events where skiers will have a chance to enjoy one of the park’s groomed ski trails by lantern light. If you have visited Hartwick Pines during daylight hours throughout the year, these evenings will definitely give you a different perspective of the park. The ski nights will be from 6pm to 9pm on the Saturday evenings of January 16 and 30, and February 13 and 27, 2010.
Over 75 lanterns will be lit along the 1.25 mile, groomed cross-country ski trail. The Michigan Forest Visitor Center will be open and visitors are welcomed to “thaw out” (or cool down) in our warming room where hot beverages (cider, tea, coffee and hot cocoa) and snacks will be offered. There is no charge to participate in these evening ski events however a daily motor vehicle permit is required to enter the park.
If you cannot make it to these evening events, please come visit us during the day and enjoy skiing on over 15 miles of groomed cross country ski trails. Other events at Hartwick Pines this winter include guided snowshoe hikes on January 23, February 6 and February 20. For further information and for current ski and snow conditions, please contact the Michigan Forest Visitor Center at (989) 348-2537.

January 10, 2010 Sunday, 1 PM, Winter Adventure Trail Day
Sponsored by the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council

This year’s theme: Wintertime Fun! Free Lessons and Junior rentals with an emphasis on getting kids and adults children NEW to snow sports outside in the winter snow for some of the best fun to be had in any season! One adult must accompany every group of 3 kids. Free X-C or Snowshoe 3 hour rental for kids 6 to 16 and 1/2 off 3 hr rental ($6) for accompanying adults.

Reservations appreciated. Call 800 832 2663.

December 4, 2010 – March 12, 2011 – Headlight Night Skiing for $5 @ Cross Country Ski Headquarters
Every night (snow permitting) From December 4, 2010 – March 12, 2011 we will have available for rent LED headlamps for your Night Skiing Enjoyment! Be sure to pick up Headlamps before 5:30 PM because the Store and Day Lodge will usually not be open in the evening. That means you will be on your own!

Then bring the headlamps back between 10:00 a.m. and noon the following day. The cost to rent is $5 per Headlamp per night.