There are so many areas within the Tri-Cities of Michigan offering chances to partake in winter activities. From sledding to watching ice hockey, they have it all! While we couldn’t name them all (There’s just too many!), below you’ll find a few of our favorite spots to celebrate winter in Bay, Saginaw, and Midland Counties.
Sledding/Tobagganing
Veteran’s Memorial Park, Bay City
On the northwestern side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge lies a hill perfect for this winter activity. On WNEM TV5’s Top 5 On 5 report, this area was voted the number one sledding hill in Mid-Michigan! The park is located along the Saginaw River and John F Kennedy Drive.
Whiting Overlook Park, Midland
Located off of Poseyville Road south of downtown Midland lies a large hill with a fantastic view of the Dow Chemical Company. In the wintertime, children and adults can be found sledding down and trudging back up the back sides of the hill. For safe landings, there are hay piles spread across the fence separating the Dow Chemical property from the hill.
Tittabawassee Township Park, Freeland
On Midland Road just north of the M-47 intersection is this great sledding hill for children. The park also features a playscape with the perfect stealthy hiding places during snowball fights!
Ice Skating/Hockey/Broomball
The Bay County Civic Center, Saginaw-Bay Ice Arena, and Midland Civic Center each provide opportunities to watch hockey games and go ice skating. The Bay County Civic Center has two ice rinks with open skating Monday thru Friday at Noon and hockey games run throughout the month of January. They also have a group called the SK8 Bay Figure Skating Club open to children and adults to learn figure skating and hockey skills.
The Saginaw-Bay Ice Arena holds hockey games starting on Monday, January 18th with games taking place at various time during the day. Public skating sessions usually run every Sunday from 2:15pm-3:40pm and on Wednesday afternoons from Noon- 1:45pm.
The Midland Civic Center offers a variety of ice programs including daily open skating, scheduled and drop-in hockey games, figure skating with the Midland Figure Skating Club, and speed skating. Special to the Midland Civic Center are Broomball games running in the evening hours starting at on January 23rd and going until March 12th, 2016.
Cross-County Skiing/Snowshoeing
Snowshoe Hike, Chippewa Nature Center, Midland
The trails are open for snowshoeing on January 20th, 26th, and 28th from 4p to 5:30p.
Full Moon Snowshoe/Hike: Jan. 23
This night snowshoe hike runs from 7p to 9p beginning at the Visitors Center.
Candlelight Trail Evening: Jan. 16, Bay City
The trails of the Bay City State Recreation Area will be lit with candle so you can enjoy a night of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing!
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Snowshoe and cross-country ski through the 17 miles of scenic trails open every day of the week. Snowshoes can be reserved for FREE by calling the Green Point Environmental Learning at 989-759-7669.
Hoyt Park, Saginaw
Saginaw’s historic Hoyt Park is located in the downtown downtown area next to the Saginaw Children’s Zoo! Here you participate in a variety of wintertime activities such as sledding, snowboarding, ice skating, and play hockey! There are also varies events throughout the month of January and February sponsored by the Friends of Hoyt Park.
City Forrest, Midland
Located a quarter-mile west of Eastman Road in Midland is City Forrest. On the weekends you can go sledding, tobogganing, cross-country-skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and more! When you’re cold or want to take a break from the fun you can warm up by the indoor or outdoor fire pit or you can grab a snack at the City Forrest Cafe. This facility is truly a treat for the entire family!
Apple Mountain, Saginaw
Featuring day and night hours, families can go skiing and snowboarding on the hills of Apple Mountain. The slopes are open daily and the facility offers rental skis, snowboards, learning programs, a Snack Bar, casual dining, outdoor fire pit, and various events throughout the winter season. Lift tickets start at $22 for weekday visits.
Events
Under the Ice: Jan. 23, Bay City
This presentation will be at the Bay City State Recreation Area. From 1p-3p at the Visitor Center, you can learn what happens to the ice and the creatures living below it during the wintertime!
Bringing Back the Ice: Jan. 23-Feb. 20, Saginaw
This series of events is hosted by Positive Results Downtown Saginaw and Friends of Hoyt Park. Activities include a night skate, sledding, skating with the SVSU Hocky Team and the Saginaw Spirit, and more, all of which take place at Hoyt Park. There will also be FREE hot chocolate and cookies at the Warming House Open!
Winter Festival: Feb. 13-14, Bay City
Head out to the Bay City State Recreation Area for a day filled with winter outdoor activities! Your family can enjoy FREE hot chocolate, crafting, ice fishing derby, a snowman contest, and so much more!
3rd Annual Saginaw Outhouse Race: Feb. 20, Saginaw
Build an outhouse, create a team, and race at Hoyt Park on Saturday February 20th, 2016 beginning at 1p. There will be cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!