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3. Winter Rafting
No, I am not daft and I did not make this up. Gaylord
has two outf itters in the area that will take you and
up to 5 of your friends or family members winter
rafting down the Sturgeon River! The Sturgeon is
the fastest river in the Lower Peninsula and does not
usually freeze over. This is not tubing or kayaking and
you get into a raft big enough not to tip. You actually
sit on the sides and everyone helps paddle. Winter
rafting comes with an experienced guide who makes
sure you have an outstanding experience. Excursions
last an hour or two and you dress like you would
for any outdoor winter activity. You will see parts of
Northern Michigan not seen in summer, as there are
no leaves on the trees. There are numerous wildlife
viewings as they come to the river for water (other
lakes are frozen over, so this is where they go!). Winter
rafting is great for a group of friends or families with
kids 12 or older. It is something memorable you can all
experience together.
4. Skiable or Snowshoeable Feast
There is nothing like taking frequent breaks while you
are out enjoying winter, right? I can’t think of a more
perfect stop than gourmet food and beverage stations
along the way. A few years ago, Treetops Resort started
regular events called Skiable Feast. It is a point-to-point
relaxing cross-country or snowshoe course, complete
with 5 gourmet food stations. Food stations allow
you to take a break and enjoy delectable foods from
the culinary team at Treetops. You can warm up with
a blazing f ire and visit with new friends. If you don’t
have gear, Treetops has rental equipment for cross-
country skiing and snowshoeing. Well experienced
guides ensure you don’t get lost and make it to each
food station.
5. Extreme Tubing
This is nothing like the days of sledding down the
local hill when you were a kid. Going “down the hill”
has taken on a whole new meaning! The tubes are
provided, the course is smooth and a lift attachment
pulls you and the tube back up the hill! Pretty great,
huh? Both Treetops Resort and Otsego Resort offer
downhill tubing. The only thing you need to do for
this activity is dress warm and f igure out how to get the
grin off your face when you are done. This is a great
activity for anyone in the family, including the whole
family. It is also a blast with friends. Most tubing is
done in hour-long sessions, so you will need to sign up
in advance.
For more information:
Christy Walcott, Dir. of Marketing & Communications
Gaylord Tourism Bureau
[email protected]
Article written by Paul Beachnau