Nowhere in the Midwest is there a more alluring winter playground than the Grand Traverse Bay region, where all the snowy pleasures present themselves in abundance and variety. There's something for winter enthusiasts of every stripe. No matter how you take your snowy pleasures, you'll find easy downhill slopes, daunting steeps, terrain parks for trick-riding snowboarders and miles of cross-country and snowshoe trails.

Outdoor Activities
In addition to skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, the Traverse City region also hosts several outdoor skating rinks, four year-round indoor hockey rinks and other winter diversions including sleigh rides. Follow the links below for details on the major outdoor sports.

In the most beautiful areas of the Great Lakes State, visitors can enjoy fall color and the bounty of vineyard harvests at more than 60 wineries. Whether the destination is Harbor Country, Irish Hills or the scenic peninsulas near Traverse City, visitors will find award-winning wines to sample in their autumn travels.

Judges at the 2009 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition were especially impressed with the quality of red wines from 2007, and many of these limited-edition reds are available only at the wineries. Visit www.michiganwines.com for results of the competition and to print a list to take along on your travels. The opportunity to "try before you buy" is another good reason to make a trip to winery tasting rooms.
For those who can't get away to tour during the autumn color season, there are year-round tasting opportunities. When the crowds clear between November and April, winemakers and tasting room staff are less busy and visitors are treated to extra attention. Many tasting rooms have a limited off-season schedule, so you'll want to check winery web sites or call before you travel to confirm hours of operation.