SBHT Winter Trails Report - Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes (original) (raw)

Winter on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is special. Light fluffy snow covering the trees and trail make it ideal for photography, skiing, or snowshoeing through a secluded winter wonderland! Most of the trail is groomed in the winter with a corduroy base for skate skiing, snowshoeing, and classic tracks on the outside for classic cross-country skiing.

January 13th, 2024

Snow Has Arrived!

We finally got enough snow to start building the base and setting tracks! Our team compacted, rolled, and set classic tracks from Empire to the Dune climb. There was not enough snow to lay classic tracks from the Dune Climb to Glen Arbor, that section has been rolled for skate skiing and fat tire biking. The entire trail between Glen Arbor and Empire is also perfect for fat tire biking. Learn more about winter trail etiquette here

Ski Conditions

• Empire to Glen Arbor: About 5 inches of powder compacted into a 2-inch base. These are the best conditions for skate skiing on our trail so far! With more snow in the forecast, we’re optimistic that the base will continue to grow.
• Dune Climb Sledding: Conditions look great for sledding today! Snow is covering all the sand.

A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers!

We couldn’t enjoy these trails without your dedication. If you’re interested in helping out, we’re currently looking for a few more groomers to assist with the North section of the trail from the Crystal River to the Lawr Farm near Wheeler Road. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

Trail Description

The trail from Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb (4 miles) is relatively flat with beautiful scenery. A loop trail through DH Day Campground and a loop just south of the Dune Climb have been added. You may have to remove your skis to cross M-109 and in Glen Haven.

The section from Empire to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (3 miles) is also beautiful, but has more challenging slopes. This section will be groomed with one set of classic tracks to allow for wide corduroy for skate skiing.

The trail north of Glen Arbor – from Crystal View trailhead to Port Oneida Road is open for skiing. This section will be groomed again this year. There is also trailhead parking on Thoreson Road at the Bay View trail parking lot.

The newest section of trail from Port Oneida Road to Bohemian Road (CR-669) is open for skiing but is not groomed. Some areas of this section are so close to the highway that snowplows throw sand and salt on the trail.

Trailhead parking is available on Forest Haven Road in Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Drive, and the corner of Voice Rd and Bar Lake Rd on the north end of Empire. The section of trail north of Glen Arbor has trailhead parking at Crystal View Trailhead, the Bay View Trailhead on Thoreson Road, and on Port Oneida Road.

Note, Pets are not allowed on designated cross-country ski trails from December 1 – March 31. See Park Pet Page for more information.

Download our Ski Brochure

Download a Printable Map

Etiquette for Fat-Tire Bikes on the SBHT

• Please do not ride on the SBHT if conditions are too soft. If you are leaving a rut deeper than an inch, having a hard time riding in a straight line, or pushing your bike, the snow is too soft and you should not ride your bike on the trail.
• Tires must be 3.7″ or bigger.
• Tire pressure must be under 5 psi.
• Do not ride on classic tracks.
• Bikes yield to skiers, please give skate skiers a wide berth.
• Be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other bikers, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules, support grooming, and we’ll all have a good time this winter.

Skiing Trails Around the Park

• A Park Pass is required – leave the pass in your car on the dash or in view.
• Fat Tire Bikes are ONLY allowed on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
• Pets are not allowed on ski trails during winter ski season.
• If you snowshoe or hike on backcountry trails, please stay out of the ski tracks.

Green – Easiest

• Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
  • Glen Arbor to Glen Haven
  • Glen Haven to Dune Climb
  • Glen Arbor to Port Oneida Road (although there are a few hills in this section, they aren’t too long or steep.)
• Old Indian Trail
• Platte Plains
• Good Harbor Bay
• Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail– if you go opposite the normal one-way driving direction to #9 Lake Michigan Overlook and then turn around and come back.

Blue – Moderate Difficulty

• Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
• • Empire to Dune Climb
  • Near the Homestead Resort
• Windy Moraine Trail
• Bay View Trail
• Alligator Hill
• Kettles Trail (except one short section of the north loop is Black – Very Difficult.)

Black – Most Difficult

• Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive ‘Winter Trail’ – if you go counter clockwise – normal driving direction.
  Some steep hills. If you ski out and turn around at the covered bridge, it would be easy.
• Shauger Hill