Sled the dunes, snowshoe to a winery, take a spin on outdoor ice rinks and then hang with locals at trivia nights and euchre tourneys. Here are some of our favorite winter activities on the Leelanau Peninsula.
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Give your inner child what it really wants—a chance to fly shrieking down a snow-covered hill at top speed. Tubing at Timberlee Hills is a beloved Leelanau tradition made all the more fun when you hit the lodge to huddle over nachos and hot chocolate afterward. Look for special events throughout the season like glow tubing.
Snowshoe to wine. The winter side of wineries is peaceful and unhurried, perfect for a leisurely chat and tasting flight. Pack snowshoes—many offer trails for exploring the vineyards and surrounding areas, including 45 North Vineyard & Winery, Black Star Farms, Blustone Vineyards, Aurora Cellars and Rove Estate. Warm up afterward with a glass of local wine.
Do the dunes. The hikes and overlooks that are so crowded in summer sparkle peacefully in winter at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Winter camp at Platte River Campground, sign up for a ranger-led snowshoe hike, race a sled down the snow-covered Dune Climb. For easy gliding, hit the groomed Heritage Trail on cross-country skis or snowshoes, or for rolling wooded hills, explore Alligator Hill, then top it off with dinner at one of Glen Arbor’s eateries.
Reboot your soul in one of 28 Leelanau Conservancy nature preserves, perfect for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing or just plain walkin’ in a winter wonderland. DeYoung Natural Area is just a hop off the Leelanau Trail, while the trails at Clay Cliffs (north of Leland) climb to lofty views of both Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan. Maple City’s Palmer Woods clocks in at more than 1,000 acres, with groomed skate and classic cross-country ski trails amid rolling forested terrain.
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Photo by Andy Wakeman
Hit the slopes at The Homestead, where you can ski with views of Sleeping Bear Dunes as a backdrop. Refuel at Whiskers for drinks and snacks and plenty of firepits and fireplaces.
Take a spin on a village ice rink. Northport, Leland and Suttons Bay are all home to volunteer-maintained rinks. Skate at Hancock Field nestled among the Victorian home–lined streets of Leland. Northport has a rink at Braman Hill Recreation Area, and Suttons Bay has ice at the corner of Lincoln and Broadway—rent skates at Suttons Bay Bikes.
Take the path less traveled. Spend an afternoon exploring the Leelanau Trail. This 17-mile path from Traverse City to Suttons Bay is groomed for cross-country skiing in winter; plan a stop at Shady Lane Cellars.
Spend the day in Northport. Cross-country skis, snowshoes and fat bikes are all welcome on the groomed trails at Leelanau State Park. Swing by Dune Bird Winery for vino (or espresso) in a super cozy tasting room, then head to town. Browse shops and galleries, then wind down at the Northport Pub & Grille. Order up cheese curds and caramelized onion dip to share, try the pork-shoulder tacos, then knock down some pins in the bowling alley.
Not all play is outdoors—winter is a time for locals to gather for an always-evolving array of open-mic nights, theme menus, trivia, dinner deals and more. Check out trivia night at Martha’s Leelanau Table, Trivia Tuesdays at V.I. Grill in Suttons Bay, dinner-for-two deals at Funistrada, supper club at Blu in Glen Arbor, Friday date nights at Bel Lago Winery and euchre tourney Sundays at Glen Arbor Wines.