Extreme Winter Sports That Michigan Does Best

Do you love discovering adrenaline-pumping, thrill-inducing activities during your travels? We're shining a spotlight on some of the most extreme sports to try in Michigan this winter.

A group ice climbing on a wall of ice
Ice Climbing in Michigan | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan

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Cold weather doesn’t bring life in Michigan to a halt. In fact, a whole new array of activities open up during the winter months. Curling up by the fire may be fun for some, but for those looking for a more rugged and exhilarating adventure that really pushes the envelope on fun, check out these Michigan winter activities.
 

1. Ice Climbing

When it’s too cold to scale a mountain, try a frozen waterfall instead. Ice climbing is one of Michigan’s more extreme winter activities, and it’s not for the faint of heart. With ice axes, a belay system, and pure grit, climbers methodically ascend these arctic pillars to reach spectacular snowy summits. Over the past few years, the sport has increased in popularity and Michigan is arguably the best location to ice climb in the U.S. In particular, Lake Superior in Munising is a climber’s utopia, with hundreds of frozen waterfalls ranging from 20 to 200+ feet in height.

If you'd like to try out ice climbing, Peabody Ice Climing Club in Fenton features two towers, 45 and 75 ft tall located on an old apple orchard. Ice climbing varies in difficulty; most beginners will start on a climb with a low incline until they are prepared for the challenge of vertical ice. Peabody's is a great place for seasoned ice climbers to train and great introduction for people interested in the sport.
 

2. Ice Luge

On the shores of Lake Michigan, the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park (formerly known as the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex) offers ice luge for mere mortals who’d like to pretend to be Olympians. Not to be confused with the bobsled, the ice luge is flat with two steel runners; it’s built for riders to recline on their backs and steer with their legs and shoulders. One of only four luge tracks in the U.S., the Sports Park’s track welcomes the general public and provides a rare opportunity to try this sport. The experience is exhilarating as riders hurtle feet-first down the 850-foot track, reaching speeds up to 30 mph (Olympic athletes reach speeds of 80 to 90 mph).
 
The park boasts one of three luge tracks in the United States and is operated and designed for introducing beginners to the sport of luge. The park also has the original "Nordic Nights" lighted cross-country ski trail system with 7.5 kilometers of lighted and groomed trails and and additional 8 kilometers of advanced day trails. There are three ice skating rinks catering to hockey, family skating, and a kiddie rink. Snowshoe trails traverse through the dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan. The heated sports lodge is complete with rentals, food service, fireplace warming area.
 

3. Ice Diving

One little-known fact about Michigan is that it offers some of the best shipwreck diving in the world. Thousands of sunken ships rest quietly at the bottom of the Great Lakes, some dating back to the 1600s. And it just so happens that the best time of year to view these wrecks is in winter, when the ice coating Lake Michigan acts a sealant against wind, boats and people who stir up the lakebed. In other words, visibility is best in winter and that’s when you’ll see formidable ice divers chainsaw their way through the surface to sink into the watery world below. An advanced form of scuba diving, ice diving requires a special suit and equipment (and yes, a dive certification is mandatory). But the gear is well worth the experience of drifting through the water to view an elegant schooner or hulking freighter, eerily peaceful and frozen in time.
 

4. Ice Sailing

Called “wind dancing” by some, ice sailing pairs a wing, kite, or sled with a snowboard, skis, or skates. This adds complexity and speed to some favorite winter sports and makes for an addicting challenge. Ice sailing can be done anywhere there is wind and snow or ice, but Michigan is a paradise due to its many frozen lakes—there’s lots of space to play. Ice sailors describe the feeling as energizing and sublime as they harness the wind’s power to glide across the ice.
 

5. Winter Surfing

Surfing in Michigan in the winter takes some dedication and planning. Due to extremely cold wind and water,  some research and planning is required to find the best waves for winter surfing. However, dealing with the cold and often brutal weather elements is well worth it when you are surfing winter waves with a handful of friends.

To surf in Michigan (or anywhere with a cold climate), you must have the proper wetsuit and wetsuit accessories (boots and gloves or mittens).  Many winter surfers use boards that are a little bigger (longer, wider, and/or thicker) than what might be used on an ocean coast. To help you gear up, check out Michigan surf shops like Third Coast Surf Shop in New Buffalo or Sleeping Bear Surf Shop in Empire.
 

6. Snowmobiling

In the Great Lakes State, hiking boots are swapped out for snowmobiles during the winter. With over 6,500 groomed, interconnected trails, Michigan takes its motor-powered adventures seriously. One of only three states that offers such an extensive system of trails, snowmobilers can explore miles and miles of picturesque, exciting terrain. Ideal for an extreme winter group activity, visitors can speed over frozen lakes and through national forests to see sights that are often hidden in warmer months.

As the weather cools and the snow falls, Michigan turns into a magnificent playground for the outdoor adventurer. Plan a visit this season to try out these extreme winter sports.