Snow Many Opportunities for Outdoor Fun this Winter
We know Michigan winters don’t have the best reputation.
Between shoveling the snow to get to the mailbox and seeing the sunset well before dinner time, it’s easy to see why winter isn’t everyone’s favorite season.
Make the most of the white fluffy stuff during winter break in SW Michigan and beyond with endless opportunities for the kids to enjoy the outdoors.
Whether it’s sledding down a hill, tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, or competitive downhill skiing, we’ve found the favorite spots in the Kalamazoo area for winter fun.
In this article
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Snow Lines + Facility Closings
Winter in Michigan is unpredictable.
Inclement weather can shut down outdoor locations and indoor locations can cancel ice time due to special events.
Please call ahead (skiing facilities offer “snow” lines) before heading out for winter fun.
Sledding
Sledding is an annual winter activity for all ages that requires little more than a bundled kid and a favorite sled.
We’ve tracked down some awesome sledding hills where you can go to enjoy the thrill of slipping and sliding your way down a snow-packed hill.
The list below includes readers’ favorites.
SAFETY NOTE: Check with property owners before sledding and follow all local laws and regulations.Â
| Harbors West Park 3458 Summersong Path, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Hillside Middle School 941 Alamo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 |
| Kindleberger Park 200 Park Ave, Parchment, MI 49004 |
| Leila Arboretum 928 West Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037 |
| Milham Park Golf Course 4200 Lovers Ln, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 |
| Oakland Drive Park 650 Oakland Dr, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Spring Valley Park 3530 Mt. Olivet Rd, Parchment, MI 49004 |
| Thurl Cook Park 659 Glenview Cir #615, Plainwell, MI 49080 |
| West Middle School 7145 Moorsbridge Rd, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Woods Lake Elementary 3215 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 |
Sledding Hills Map
find sledding hills near me
Snow Tubing & Tobogganing
If you want to up your sledding game, tubing is another fun option.
Make sure to verify age and height requirements, bring cash, and call the snow lines to make sure they are open.
Echo Valley (Under Renovation- New Ownership)
S8495 East H Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
269-349-3017 (Main)
269-349-3291 (Snow)
Echo Valley offers tubing and tobogganing at its premier winter sports park.
Tubes and toboggans are provided; there are no age or height/weight restrictions for their activities. Cash only, no ATM on site.
Opening date not yet announced; Facebook or their website for updates.
Meyer Broadway County Park
59475 County Park Dr, Three Rivers, MI 49048
269-467-5519
This 160-acre park is home to a dog park, sand volleyball courts and a 36-hole disc golf course. Once the snow falls, enjoy tubing on two hills and cross-country skiing.
Tubes are provided; park entrance fee is $4 (day pass) or $20 (annual). St Joseph County residents are free.
Timber Ridge
07500 23 1/2 Street, Gobles, MI 49055
269-694-9449 (Main)
269-694-9158 (Snow)
Timber Ridge is located on 60 beautiful, wooded acres northwest of Kalamazoo. They offer skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.
Timber Ridge has nine tubing lanes and a moving sidewalk.
Tube riders must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall.
Helmets are available for rent.
Indoor Ice Skating Rinks
Kick off winter on the right foot and stave off cabin fever when you lace up skates and hit the ice rink.
Ice skating, hockey, broomball, and curling are all fun ice activities to try.
These indoor rinks will keep you warmer than their outdoor counterparts:
The Rink – Battle Creek
75 Houston St, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-963-7565
Family-owned and operated, The Rink in Battle Creek offers open skate, hockey leagues, and Sticks & Pucks sessions.
*Cash only*
Find their schedule online.
Wings West (Closed- New Ownership)
5076 Sports Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
269-743-4218
Wings West features two NHL-sized ice rinks, perfect for open skating and hockey.
This facility was purchased in 2025. Follow their website for updates; they’ve announced that they will reopen for the 2026/27 season.
Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
Bundle up and head to these outdoor ice rinks in SW Michigan.
Weather conditions may close these facilities due to ice conditions; we recommend calling ahead to confirm they are open.
Millennium Park
280 Romence Rd, Portage, MI 49024
269-324-9200
Millennium Park’s outdoor refrigerated rink offers skate rental, skate sharpening, snack concessions, restrooms, warming house, and lockers.
Season: The City of Portage is planning to open the rink December 12, 2025.
Rates & Concessions
Admission: $5
Skate Rental: $3
Skate Sharpening: $5 (as staffing allows)
Skate Card: $25 (each punch good for one of the above)
Hot cocoa, vanilla and mocha cappuccino, soda, snacks, and candy are available for purchase.
December & Holiday Hours
Dec. 12: Opening Day, open 3 PM – 9 PM
Dec. 13 – 14: Opening Weekend, open 12 PM – 8 PM
Dec. 19 – 23: Winter Holiday Hours, open 12 PM – 8 PM
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve, open 12 PM – 5 PM
Dec. 26 – 30: Winter Holiday Hours, open 12 PM- 8 PM
Jan. 1 – 4: Winter Holiday Hours, open 12 PM – 8 PM
2026 Winter Skate Regular Hours
Monday – Thursday: Closed
Friday: 3 PM – 9 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 12 PM – 8 PM
South Haven Ice Rink
546 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-0700
South Haven is home to a pavilion-covered outdoor ice rink. Due to its cooling system and covered roof, this outdoor rink is open during warm weather (as high as 50 degrees).
Skate rental and skate sharpening are available on-site, and curling is available.
Season: December – February
Hours: The rink is open daily, hours vary- See the schedule
Rates: Skate Rental: $6, Admission: $6, Season Pass $70
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
Ready to hit the slopes? We’ve found three fun spots for skiing and snowboarding locally.
Each resort offers equipment rental and lessons to help all skill levels. All locations also offer online snow reports and/or webcams to view skiing conditions.
Bittersweet Ski Resort
600 River Rd, Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-2820 (Main)
269-694-2032, ext. 23 (Snow)
Bittersweet Ski Resort offers 20 runs of skiing fun and a 350-foot vertical.
For beginners, they can ride the “Wondercarpet” (think moving sidewalk) to the top of the hill, rather than a chairlift.
Lessons:Â Ski school, race camps, private and group lessons
Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area
13421 Mann St, Jones, MI 49061
269-244-5635 (Main)
269-244-8016 (Snow)
Swiss Valley has 11 runs of varying difficulty and a 225-foot vertical drop.
Lessons: Ski school, Valley Kid Program, ladies-only lessons, progressive lessons
Opening Day: December 11, 2025
Timber Ridge
07500 23 1/2 St, Gobles, MI 49055
269-694-9449 (Main)
269-694-9158 (Snow)
Timber Ridge offers 15 runs of varying difficulty and a 240-foot vertical drop.
Lessons: Kids program, private and group lessons
Cross Country Skiing
If downhill skiing is not your thing, lace up some cross-country skis instead.
Enjoy some of Michigan’s winter wonderland at a slower pace.
Need some help? Check out the Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers for additional resources.
| Allegan State Game Area 590 118th Ave, Allegan, MI 49010 269-673-2430 |
| Fort Custer Recreation Area 5163 Fort Custer Dr, Augusta, MI 49012 269-731-4200 |
| Kalamazoo Nature Center Trails 7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 269-381-1574 |
| Kal-Haven Trail 143 10th St N, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 269-674-8011 |
| Meyer Broadway County Park 59475 County Park Dr, Three Rivers, MI 49093 269-475-5519 |
| Milham Park Golf Course 4200 Lovers Ln, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-344-7639 |
| Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave, Saugatuck Dunes, MI 49453 269-637-2788 |
More to Explore
Great job on this article Liz. You covered so many great places to ski, sled and enjoy winter sports around the Kalamazoo area. I think it is the best list I have seen. thank you for all your hard work and sharing it with us