2023-2024 Kalamazoo Winter Fun Guide: Ice Skating, Sledding, Skiing and Snow Tubing

ice skating sledding downhill skiing Kalamazoo

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 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.

Ice Skating Tubing Sledding Skiing

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 some 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

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

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

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.

*Cash Only* (no ATM on site)

Snow Tubing

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).

girls ice skating - Kalamazoo

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 January 19, 2024.

Portage Ice Rink

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) 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, curling available.

Season: December – 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

Otsego skiing

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



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1 thought on “2023-2024 Kalamazoo Winter Fun Guide: Ice Skating, Sledding, Skiing and Snow Tubing”

  1. 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

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