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 winter wonderland in Southwest Michigan with endless opportunities for the kids to enjoy the outdoors. Trade in your rakes for shovels and upgrade your fleece for the puffiest coat you can find: winter is coming!
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.
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 does not require much more than a bundled kid and a favorite sled.
We’ve tracked down a handful of awesome sledding hills where you can go to enjoy the thrill of slipping and sliding your way down a snow-packed hill.
This list below includes the favorites from our readers.
SAFETY NOTE: Check with property owners before sledding and follow all local laws and regulations.
| Hillside Middle School 941 Alamo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 |
| Kindleberger Park 200 Park Ave, Parchment, MI 49004 |
| Leila Arboretum 8 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 Elementary 3530 Mt. Olivet Rd, Parchment, MI 49004 |
| Woods Lake Park 2900 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 |
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
S8495 East H Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
269-349-3017 (Main)
269-349-3291 (Snow)
Echo Valley offers tubing and tobogganing at their premier winter sports park.
Tubes and toboggans are provided; there are no age or height/weight restrictions for their activities. Cash Only.
Hours: Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM with special weekday hours offered during the holiday season & winter break.
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.
Tube riders must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall.
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 activities on ice 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
5076 Sports Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
269-743-4218
Wings West features two NHL-sized ice rinks that are perfect for open skating and hockey.
Open Skate/Drop-in Hockey: Ice times vary (check schedule).
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: Per the Portage Parks Department website, opening in 2023 (Dates TBD)
Otsego Main Street Ice Rink
218 N Farmer St, Otsego, MI 49078
Near M89 & Farmer Street
FREE skating in downtown Otsego (make sure to bring your own skates).
Season: January – February
Hours: Weather dependent, check Facebook for updates
South Haven Ice Rink
546 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090
269-639-1113
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, curling available.
Season: Late November – February
Hours: The rink is open daily, hours vary (see flyer)
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 tops of the hill, rather than a chairlift.
Lessons: Ski school, race camps, private and group lessons
Swiss Valley Ski Area
13421 Mann St, Jones, MI 49061
269-244-5635 (Main)
269-244-8016 (Snow)
Swiss Valley has 11 runs of varied difficulties and a 225 foot vertical.
Lessons: Ski school, Valley Kid Program, ladies only lessons, progressive lessons
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 difficulties and a 240-foot vertical.
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