A Guide to Winter Fun in West Michigan

Feeling the cabin fever already? If you’re running out of fun winter things to do in West Michigan, we’re here for you! Use this as your guide to winter fun in the wonderland of West Michigan.

Winter Things to Do in West Michigan

West Michigan offers endless fun and plenty of winter things to do. Whether you’re ready to get out of the house, or would prefer to stay in where it’s warm, here are a few of our favorite West Michigan winter activities to try this season!

Experience the World of Winter Festival

Starting January 17 through the middle of February, Grand Rapids will be transformed by the World of Winter Festival. All events related to the festival are free or low-cost to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy winter in West Michigan. Events include a variety of activities from snow yoga, silent disco, to a world market with authentic international vendors, to outdoor movies with hot drinks and snacks, to food carts and fire pits, to educational Black history tours. 

Last year, the event featured a special exhibit called Prismatica. Comprising 25 6-foot-tall pivoting prisms, this incredible large-scale light show cast vibrant shades and shapes across the buildings of downtown GR, transforming the area into a holographic ice palace. The show was accompanied by the chiming of bells and was a truly sensational experience. 2021 will be sure to have new surprises in store. Mark your calendars and bring the whole family to participate in the World of Winter Festival this year.

Snowshoe Along the West Michigan Lakeshore

If you’re looking for a way to get out and enjoy the season, one of the best winter things to do in West Michigan is to strap on your snowshoes and see the lakeshore dunes blanketed in snow. Winter in West Michigan is one of the most dramatic seasons, with ice draping over the lighthouses and piers. Waves wash up on the sand and freeze into impressive peaks, creating sculptures on the icy shoreline.

PJ Hoffmaster State Park and Saugatuck Dunes State Park are both great places to snowshoe to take in some of the winter sights. If snowshoeing isn’t your speed, there are plenty of ways to see the snowy backcountry of West Michigan, including cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Go Ice Fishing on Spring Lake

Fishing opportunities in West Michigan don’t slow down in the winter season. There are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy a nice afternoon fishing. One of the popular winter things to do in West Michigan is to go ice fishing. You can either go with an organized charter fishing trip or BYOA (bring your own auger) to one of West Michigan’s beautiful lakes.

Learn to Luge at Muskegon State Park

Ready to level up your sledding game? Try speeding down the ice luge track in West Michigan. It’s part of the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, and one of only four in the country. Beginners are welcome to take a two-hour introductory class and then slide down the track by themselves. Muskegon State Park also includes other West Michigan winter activities for the whole family, including sledding, cross-country skiing, and a quarter-mile ice skating trail through the woods.

Hit the Slopes at a Community Ski Area 

The rolling hills of West Michigan create the perfect topography for skiing and snowboarding. Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl and Cannonsburg Ski Area are both excellent community ski areas that offer ski and snowboard rentals, as well as learning opportunities for beginners. These ski areas are a short distance from the lakeshore, perfect to prepare you for a weekend ski trip up north at Crystal Mountain, Boyne Mountain, or Caberfae Peaks Resort.

Visit a West Michigan Lakeshore Winery

If you’re looking for winter things to do in West Michigan to beat the chill of the season, plan a trip to one of the lakeshore’s many wineries. The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail features several wineries throughout West Michigan’s wine country. When you visit during the winter, you get to beat the summer crowds, take time to sample some of the wineries’ best vintages, and enjoy a taste of summer in each sip. Plan your own tour of the wine trail and forget about the frosty weather for a while.

Take a Cooking Class at The Local Epicurean

The Local Epicurean now offers private classes for those looking to up their pandemic meal prepping game. Learn skills like butter and cheese-making, how to perfect risotto and pasta dishes, how to make rich chocolate desserts, and much more. During the pandemic, the classes are temporarily restricted to two to ten guests, and they ask that you keep the party limited to people who are known to you in order to limit potential contact. As one of the more creative winter things to do in West Michigan, this is a great way to finally put your cooking show skills to the test and learn to make tastier meals at home.

West Michigan has something to offer tourists and residents year-round! Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or prefer a cozy place indoors, BlueWest Properties has homes available to help you enjoy all the best elements of a Michigan winter. To learn more about our available properties in West Michigan, reach out to our team today.

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