Relax in a sauna, ski at night, visit a snow-capped lighthouse—get outside and play! Here are some of our favorite winter activities in the Traverse City area.
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Find peace along the region’s quiet coastline.
Head east of Traverse City, and you’ll come across Acme Bayside Park. This discreet gem has more than 900 feet of waterfront that, under a fresh blanket of snow, transforms into a serene winter wonderland. Soak in the scene, take a stroll, and then continue farther north to Maple Bay Natural Area in Williamsburg. This 425-acre property features 1.75 miles of trail, which can be extended with a walk along the beach. Whether you’re hiking or snowshoeing, you’ll love watching the snow fall from towering trees on your way to sprawling views of a dramatic winter dunescape.
Sweat it out in a mobile sauna.
In Finland, saunas are an integral part of the culture—a ritual many take part in at least once a week. They’re known to reduce stress, improve sleep and ward off seasonal affective disorder. Following the lead of his Finnish ancestors, Traverse City native Daniel Sarya founded MI Sauna in 2020. The mobile sauna, housed in a wood-fire heated trailer, is parked at Traverse City State Park beach where, after sweating it out inside, some hardy souls take a cold plunge into the lake or make snow angels on shore.
Ski at night.
Family-friendly Mt. Holiday and Hickory Hills are both in Traverse City. At Mt. Holiday you’ll also love the tubing hill and T-Bar & Grill (order the white cheddar cheese curds). Over at Hickory Hills, the top of Swede Slope offers views of Grand Traverse Bay and downtown. There’s also a wooded 5k trail for Nordic skiers and a lodge where visitors can warm up with bites like sloppy joes and mozz sticks.
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Photo by Dave Weidner
Visit a snow-capped lighthouse.
The same trails we cherish in summer take on a different kind of wonder in the hush of winter. Tucked at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula, Mission Point Lighthouse Park is home to miles of wooded trails that make for a beautiful snowshoe hike (note: there are some moderate elevation shifts throughout). Take a moment and amble to the water, soaking in the serene surrounds.
Explore the Vasa Pathway.
A series of loops (3k, 5k, 10k, 25k) offers users—cross-country skiers, runners, hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers, naturalists—a variety of terrain, from easy to difficult. The Vasa Pathway also welcomes the annual Iceman Cometh mountain bike race (Nov. 2, 2024) and North American Vasa cross-country ski race (Feb. 8–9, 2025). You’ll want to check out the groomed 15k Winter Sports Singletrack, ideal for fat biking, or the 2.5-mile Vasa Snowshoe Trail.