Some of us tend to hunker down when the temps dip and the snow flies, determined to wait it out until the vernal equinox signals that it’s safe to emerge once again. You can take this route – after all, it does have the benefits of cozy blankets, warm fireplaces, and hot cocoa – or, you can grab winter life by the reins in the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County area and get some exercise, too. Read on to learn about skating, skiing, and snowshoeing in Ann Arbor and area.
Ice Skating at Buhr Park
Ice Skating in Ann Arbor Parks
Do you recall crisp winter days as a child, zipping around the ice at outdoor rinks? You can now relive those delightful memories in three Ann Arbor parks. This is the second year that the city is bringing back outdoor ice rinks – and you can use them free of charge! You will need to provide your own skates, which are available inexpensively at thrift stores or at deeply discounted prices at used sporting goods outlets.
The outdoor rinks are located at parks in the Allmendinger, Burns Park, and Northside neighborhoods, all part of the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department. Click here for location information and maps to these and other parks. Please note that the outdoor rinks are weather dependent, and park staff will close the outdoor rinks on days when Mother Nature is not cooperating sufficiently.
If you’re not quite ready to tackle the full, outdoor experience, you might prefer the Buhr Outdoor Ice Arena. Here, for a small fee, you also have skate rentals, sharpening, organized hockey, restrooms, vending machines, plus a heated lobby for shelter. Learn more about the Buhr Outdoor Ice Arena and get the public skating schedule by clicking here. Unlike the outdoor ice rinks in the parks, the ice surface at Buhr has a cooled subfloor that allows it to stay in perfect condition even when the air temperature reaches fifty degrees!
Outdoor Fun Fest in the County Parks
Outside of Ann Arbor city limits, we have several county parks that offer a Winter Fun Fest with regularly scheduled events throughout January and February, 2017. The events include traditional outdoor winter fun, like ice fishing, hiking, skiing, and sledding. Other activities might surprise you, like life-sized board game Olympics, an evening owl call, and learning how to find signs of bugs in winter. Yes, hot cocoa is part of the fun, too!
Click here to learn more about Winter Fun Fest at Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation.
Ann Arbor Ski Club
You don’t have to be an amazing skier to take advantage of the area’s trail systems that are perfect for strapping on the cross country skis or snowshoes. Local, county, and state parks are among the locations for this activity, as are designated areas of the University of Michigan properties and some golf courses. Click here to learn more about where you can ski or snowshoe, plus where equipment rental is available. If you already have a Metroparks vehicle sticker for the year, visit Huron-Clinton Metroparks or Hudson Mills Metropark. These are great locations to give the sport a try, with equipment rentals available. Additionally, equipment rentals and purchases may be available at:
- Outdoor Adventures Rental Center through the University of Michigan
- Sun & Snow Sports
- REI
- Play It Again Sports
Whether one or all of these activities piques your interest, remember to always dress for the weather and be on the lookout for signs that it’s time to come in and warm up or replenish your fluids. And, if you’re tired from all the fresh air or need to thaw out a little, you can always revisit that warm blanket and cozy fireplace anytime. Yes, the hot cocoa, too.
Want to talk more about activities going on in the Ann Arbor area this winter, or have any questions about real estate in the Ann Arbor area? Give us a call at (734)845-9700 or fill out the form below.
