St. Ignace is known as a summer destination, but winter here is magical. From the Labatt Blue U.P. Pond Hockey Championship and ice fishing to snowmobiling and hiking through the snow, winter recreation is special in St. Ignace.
Winter conditions fluctuate, so if you’re in town when the snow isn’t as deep as you hoped, don’t worry! Little Bear East Arena has an indoor ice rink that offers public skating as well as youth and minor league hockey games.
Snowmobiling
Local snowmobile clubs often know more about the weather than a meteorologist, as they are constantly monitoring conditions as they work to maintain trails for riders. St. Ignace is one of the most convenient, rider-friendly snowmobiling hubs in the Upper Peninsula. Not nearby. Not “a short drive away”. Here, you can access the entire trail system, right from downtown!
The Michigan DNR Designated Snowmobile Trails Map is an essential resource for navigating all the designated Michigan snowmobile trails (and there are so many!) Amazingly, there are snowmobile trails that you can follow from St. Ignace to many locations in the Upper Peninsula: Tahquamenon Falls, Sault Ste. Marie, Newberry, and beyond!
Permits and Necessary Fine Print
Before heading out, every snowmobiler — resident and nonresident alike — needs a Michigan Snowmobile Trail Permit. This permit allows riders to use state-designated trails, thousands of miles of public roads, and authorized public lands.
Permits are valid from October 1 through September 30 of the following year. State-designated snowmobile trails are generally open December 1 through March 31, weather and snow conditions permitting.
You can purchase these permits in St. Ignace at several convenient locations, including Ace Hardware, Holiday Station, and St. Ignace True Value.
The Top-of-the-Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway is a must-see for anyone interested in snowmobiles or Upper Peninsula history. Located about 45 minutes west of St. Ignace, you will discover more than 100 vintage and historic sleds, along with fascinating memorabilia. Early models, prototypes, and historical artifacts give a clear view of the machine’s history and how it shaped life in the North.
The museum is well-organized and welcoming, with staff that’s always happy to share stories and information. For those interested, trails marked on the DNR map can even provide a snowmobile route that takes you from St. Ignace straight to the museum (make a day of it!).
Cross Country Skiing
Located off US-2 and Brevoort Lake Road, Sand Dunes is a complex of trail loops ranging from beginner to expert level and from one mile to several, depending on the course. The trail is groomed for classic cross-country skiing.
The North Country Trail extends from New York to North Dakota, with approximately 35 miles of the trail within the St. Ignace district. The trail is open all year, but in the winter it is ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Fat Tire Biking
St. Ignace is a hub for fat tire biking as it is centrally located to some of the top fat tire biking spots in the U.P. The Silver Mountain Hike & Bike Trail, located just west of St. Ignace, winds through forested hills and exposed dolomite bedrock for a picturesque loop ideal for biking. In winter, the trail is groomed every week.
Winter Events
The annual Antique Snowmobile Bridge Crossing brings together sled enthusiasts for a weekend of fun to kick off the snowmobiling season. Participants with snowmobiles at least 25 years old cross the bridge in a parade leading into St. Ignace.
The Labatt Blue U.P. Pond Hockey Championship brings hockey players and fans together for a series of outdoor, four-on-four hockey games on Moran Bay, right in downtown St. Ignace. The event evokes a feeling of nostalgia, taking the game of hockey back to its roots of friendly competition and fun.
While not directly in St. Ignace, Naubinway is just a 40-minute drive west and hosts the annual Top of the Lake Snowmobile Show and Ride to celebrate sleds and snowmobile culture. Each year, the show has a featured Sled, with Yamaha the most recent honoree. The event is hosted by the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum.
Another nearby event is the sturgeon fishing season, which is held at the start of February every year on Black Lake near Cheboygan in the Lower Peninsula. To protect sturgeon populations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources only allows for six fish to be harvested, making this Michigan’s shortest fishing season.
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