Winter Naturalist Programs Offered at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Categories: Cross Country

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, located on the south shore of Lake Superior near Silver City in Ontonagon County, is offering cross-country skiing by lantern light again this winter.

“This place is incredible in the winter,” said Park Interpreter Bob Wild. “What better way to see the park and experience winter, than by participating in one of these naturalist-lead programs.”

Lantern Light Cross-Country Skiing: Jan. 23 and 30 from 6-9 p.m. EST; also Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 6:30-9 p.m. Old-fashioned kerosene lanterns illuminate the trail during this night ski. Lanterns are placed along the entire one-mile loop for a unique and memorable skiing experience. Stop about halfway around the loop at the warming shelter where the park naturalist will have a campfire going. This trail has an “easy” difficulty rating; however, skiing at night is always a challenge.

A guided snow shoe hike will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 13. Snow shoes will be provided if needed on these 1.5 hour hikes.

These programs may be cancelled due to weather. To inquire about cancellations call 906-885-5206.

For more information on winter recreation opportunities at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, call 906-885-5275 or visit www.michigan.gov/porkies.

All motor vehicles entering a Michigan State Park or Recreation Area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.

Big Powderhorn Mountain - Opening Day Scheduled for December 11, 2009

Categories: Big Powderhorn, Events, Featured

Big Powderhorn Mountain (under new ownership) is planning to open for the 2009 - 2010 season on December 11, 2009.

2009-10 UPDATE

We are pleased to announce that Big Powderhorn Mountain is under new ownership!! But don’t worry, the same great skiing and boarding and more of the same friendly and helpful staff will be here to greet you and your family this season. In fact, most of the same faces you have have come to expect to see when you visit us will be here to greet you again this season. The new owners and managers are passionate skiers and boarders; folks who have been visiting and enjoying the slopes of Big Powderhorn for many years. In fact, some have been skiing here since the resort opened for the 1963/64 season! While you are sure to see changes around the resort, you can count on the same strong standards and family fun atmosphere and staff that has made Powderhorn a midwest family favorite resort.

NO RATE INCREASE:

It is already tough enough to take a family on a well deserved vacation, it ought not to cost more! So we have held our weekend and holiday rates at last season’s price and LOWERED our midweek rates! Call Big Powderhorn Lodging for great midweek lodging value and you will have a vacation that is affordable and fun! Contact lodging at 800-222-3131.

Racing:

Last year we invested in some new wireless timing gear and let our snowsports instructors experiment with some fun races in various locations around the hill. This year we are bringing regularly scheduled racing back to Big Powderhorn. Sundays will be the day to look for a chance to race and for a modest fee you can race against the clock, a friend or your whole family. Most of the time the course will be set on Dynamite Trail but we will also be mixing it up with other locations around the mountain to keep it interesting and test your ability to adapt to different terrain. If you have a group that would like to race on a different day or have your own private race, give our Snowsports School a call and see what they can do for you.

Terrain Parks:

Last year we added some rails and fun boxes to our parks. This year we are fine tuning our system and adding a couple new items. Our park design team will be setting up Oxbow Park to have a good mix of features in the beginner to intermediate range and Powderkeg Park will be geared more for intermediate to advanced riders. Even though Oxbow is geared to be a bit less challenging, it does have a couple of the biggest rails in the Midwest if not the country. Our straight rail is over 115 feet long and the rainbow is an arch that is over 65 feet long and can reach over 7 feet above the snow depending on the amount of snow we have and how it’s groomed.

Children Ski Free:

With every adult lift ticket purchased, you can get a child’s (9 & under) lift ticket for free! The child’s ticket must be requested at the time of the adult ticket purchase and it must be for the same number of days and the same dates. The savings from this deal can save more than enough money to pay for the gas for the entire trip!

Wine Huts:

Big Powderhorn now offers three cozy trailside huts for your private lunches or get-togethers on the mountain during your ski day. We provide the fire, grill, charcoal, and staff to transport your food to the huts for a very nominal fee ($20). Call ahead to reserve your hut or to get more details on this popular option.

Visit Big Powderhorn Mountain Website >>>>