Mackinaw Island: a winter excursion

Jan. 3, 2010

Mackinac Island: a winter excursion
By Kristi Kates
Winter has turned Mackinac Island white. From the boat docks to the
benches, the ports to the porch of the Grand Hotel, the island looks
very different from its bright and festive summer persona. With
everything coated in snow, the ferries have nearly stopped running and
the bicycles are stored safely away; most of the quaint shops are
closed, and the tourists, for the most part, are gone, too, all 15,000
a day having toted away their boxes of fudge and pastel-colored
souvenir t-shirts months ago.
So what exactly happens on Mackinac Island in the wintertime? Is it a
good destination for locals as well as out-of-town visitors looking to
do something a little different this winter? Are you still even able
to visit this isolated gem in the middle of Lake Huron... and would
you want to?

FROZEN BUT FRIENDLY
Christopher West, year-round island resident and executive assistant
at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, says that there are plenty of
reasons to explore the island in the off-season, not the least of
which are the friendly - and hardy - winter residents.
“The 400 or so people that live on Mackinac Island year-round are a
very tight-knit community that enjoy spending time with each other in
the winter,” West explains. “In the summer, everyone is working so
many hours, the winter time gives all of us a chance to reconnect with
each other. This small community is very welcoming to off-season
visitors.”
At the end of October each year, West says, there’s a big, legendary
Halloween party on the island; the very next day, the majority of
businesses shut down until warmer weather returns.
“The Grand Hotel has a pretty interesting package in which you can
stay and see what it takes to shut down the resort for the winter,”
West says.
The only ferry boat company that runs in the winter is Arnold Transit;
but even they have to stop their services when the ice gets too thick
for them to get the ferries through. West says this usually happens
around the first or second week of January.
“Once ferry service ceases, people are still able to access the island
through Great Lakes Air from Mackinac County Airport in St. Ignace,”
he explains.
Upon landing, you can hire a horse-and-carriage taxi to take you to
town; and once you get settled in to your lodging, you might be
surprised to find that there’s still quite a lot to do, in spite of
what might, on the surface, appear to be a frozen ghost town.
SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING
Lodging at places like Mission Point Resort are open on many of the
winter holidays, while The Pontiac Lodge, the Bogan Lane Inn, and
Harbor Place Suites are open year-round, as are the local grocery,
Doud’s Market; the Mackinac Outfitter; the Balsam Shop; and the
Harrisonville General Store.
West also explains that outdoor winter activities are at a premium,
with the islands’ eight-mile coastline plus many park and wooded areas
to enjoy; the Eastern half of the island is designated for
cross-country skiing, and has been called one of the best
cross-country skiing destinations in the country.
“In the winter, people can rent snowshoes and cross-country skis
through The Village Inn restaurant,” he explains, “the Mackinac Island
Ski Club grooms many of the trails on Mackinac, which makes for a
great cross-country ski experience.” Mackinac State Park is also
available for both skiing and hiking.
Being as that Mackinac Island is separated from the Michigan mainland
by three miles of water, you won’t see a lot of animals on your
outdoor jaunts, but you’ll see a lot of birds, from seagulls and
Mallard ducks to cardinals to woodpeckers; and you might even spot one
of the rare coyotes that have been spotted on the island, as they
occasionally dare to traverse the ice.
SWEETS AND QUIET
Speaking of ice, you might also be able to spy a few of the giant
freighters as they make their way through the Straits of Mackinac; ice
fishing is another popular activity, if you remember to bring along
some gear and can round up a local to take you out on his snowmobile.
If it’s something a little more festive you’re looking for, plan your
visit to Mackinac Island during February, when the island offers up
their annual Winter Festival, “for good old-fashioned outdoor fun”; a
Chili Cook-Off over President’s Day weekend; and a Fat Tuesday
celebration at The Mustang Lounge complete with a Mardi Gras party and
real p?czki (Polish celebratory donuts.)
And if you prefer a quieter vacation, team up your daily hikes with a
few visits to the Mackinac Island Library, of which the interior was
designed by Carleton Varney, the interior designer for Mackinac’s
Grand Hotel; in addition to all that reading, the library often hosts
winter art exhibitions.
With most of the people and pretty much all of the hustle and bustle
gone for the season, the winter months on Mackinac are unique indeed.
And it will perhaps be one of the quietest - and surprisingly,
cleanest - winter places you’ve ever visited, as well.
“With the absence of automobiles - other than the fire truck, police
car and ambulance - there is a pristine snow cover that blankets
Mackinac Island in the winter,” West says, “our snow stays sparkling
and white throughout the winter months, which helps to make the island
a great retreat for anyone looking to have a quiet, romantic, or
adventurous winter getaway.”

For more information on seasonal actitivities, food and lodging on
Mackinac Island in the winter, visit the Mackinac Island Tourism
Bureau online at
www.mackinacisland.org,or call them at (906) 847-6419. For transport,
try Great Lakes Air at www.greatlakesair.netor by phone at
906-643-7165.