Blanketed in snow, it’s time to winter play in Leelanau
From staff reports
Winter arrived in a hurry after Thanksgiving, and Leelanau County is covered in fluffy snow.
Here’s the downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding, hiking and tubing report, as of Wednesday, Dec. 4. Drive safe, stay warm, and enjoy!
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, who maintain the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and other trails within the National Park, reported yesterday that “there is a lot of fresh snow in the region, but because most of this fresh snow is lake effect, it is a bit spotty. Low-lying areas like Glen Arbor and Empire received only 2-3 inches. Areas at higher elevation like Palmer Woods, and Kettles Trail have about 10-12 inches on the ground. The warm temperatures mean the snow is pretty sticky.
“At this time, there is not enough snow and the temperatures are too warm for us to groom the Heritage Trail.”
Meanwhile, conditions at the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb are excellent for sledding.
The Friends report that un-groomed, backcountry ski and hiking trails (including Shauger Hill, Pierce Stocking Drive Ski Trail, Windy Moraine, and Alligator Hill) offer good hiking or snowshoeing. Beware of slippery conditions hiking on Empire Bluffs and Pyramid Point trails. The Friends encourage bringing Yak Tracks or micro-spikes.
Meanwhile, TART Trails has rolled the Leelanau Trail on the east side of the County for skate and classic cross-country skiing.
Downhill skiing
The Homestead resort near Glen Arbor currently has a foot of new snow, expects inches more tonight, and will begin to make snow later this week. The Homestead hopes to open its slopes on Dec. 26.
Meanwhile, Crystal Mountain resort in Thompsonville has announced that it will open for downhill skiing on Friday, Dec. 6, from noon-4:30 pm, and Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 am-4:30 pm. Cold weather conditions allowed Crystal to make snow for nearly 65 hours, and Old Man Winter leant a hand, too. The slopes will close Dec. 9-12 for additional snowmaking and will reopen Dec. 13.
Hickory Hills, the Traverse City-owned ski operation, popular with beginners and young families, aims to open for downhill skiing sometime between Christmas and New Year’s. Volunteers have already rolled a fresh trail for cross-country skiing in Hickory Meadows. But skiers are asked to avoid the hills due to snow-making equipment and uneven terrain.
