Go Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding
We may not have mountains, but for most of us casual skiers Oakland County has fun ski hills for an outing with friends or family, with the opportunity to grab a nice meal or drink afterward. The three main places you’ll downhill ski here are:
Alpine Valley- Located in White Lake Township and open November - March from 10am to 10pm, Alpine Valley has downhill skiing you would not expect in Southeast Michigan with courses ranging from beginner to expert.
Mt. Holly -Located off Dixie Highway and near Grange Hall Road in Holly, Michigan, Mt. Holly has 13 lifts with a summit of 1,115 feet and has the most vertical elevation change of the Oakland County ski hills.
Pine Knob -Located in Independence Township, just north of I-75 off the Sashabaw Road exit, Pine Knob is likely the most accessible skiing destination for most of us. It will be crowded on the weekends, but you’ll find a very accessible and enjoyable hill to glide down other nights.
Cross-Country Skiing
This winter activity also doubles as a great work-out, and serves as a great use of those park passes which cost $40 for the Metroparks only, $30 for the Oakland County parks pass, or $64 for a combined pass. Some notable spots with ski rentals are:
Independence Oaks - At 9501 Sashabaw Rd, in Clarkston, this county park has groomed cross-country trails and restrooms, along with ski rentals and a total of 8 miles of trail to explore.
Kensington Metropark - At the western edge of Oakland County and into Livingston County, Kensington may be the best park in the region with 4,481 acres of hilly, wooded terrain and trails covering much of it. Ski rentals are available and you can get a $10 day pass or use your Metroparks pass for annual access.
Winter Hikes in the County Parks and Metroparks
This is my default, primarily because the barrier to entry here is low and the number of parks and trails we have in Oakland County is high. If you have a decent pair of boots and a good coat, you’re ready for winter hiking! Most Metroparks and county parks will have trails, and many cities maintain their own local parks that provide easy access to hiking. Here are some of my favorite parks where you can spend an afternoon exploring without any specialty equipment:
Addison Oaks - Located in the northeastern part of the county, in Addison Township, this park boasts an impressive network of trails of over 20 miles. These trails allow for a number of uses, but hiking is the one that you can simply show up, strap on the right gear, and go. Be sure to keep an eye out for the native fauna including deer, foxes, raccoons, and turkeys.
Heritage Park - This park requires no fee and is open to anyone. You’ll find 211 acres to explore the glacial moraines, winter flora, and frosted-over swamp lands that lie within this large, forested park in Farmington Hills. The trails are not maintained, so bring your boots and dress warm.
Red Oaks Nature Center - Red Oaks has a mix of maintained and unmaintained trails through the park that anyone can enjoy, all winter long. Be sure to stop in the nature center to warm up, learn what animals you might see today, and explore exhibits about local fauna.
Stage Nature Center - Just north of the 75, you’ll find some casual winter hiking on unmaintained winter-trails, around a tributary to the Clinton River. Stage Nature Center also has many deer, owls, and wild turkeys. Staff at the nature building can help direct you to the best place to see the sights at Stage.
Visit the Detroit Zoo
I hesitate to share my secret, but the zoo is incredible in the winter. Most of us think of the zoo as a summer activity, but any more I’m here more in the winter. Not only do you have way more space to yourself, but most animals are far more active in the cooler weather than in the heat of summer. Polar bears, macaques, tigers, camels, arctic foxes, gray wolves, red pandas, and more - these are animals that have adapted to a colder climate, so the winter is when they want to explore and entertain. I would go as far saying the zoo is significantly better in the winter than it is in the summer.
Go Sledding
Whether you’ve got kids, or you’re still a kid at heart, our glacial geologic history has created sledding opportunities all around the county, here are some popular ones:
Beverly Hills Village Park - Park and enjoy a beautiful walk through this wooded park as you make your way to the sledding hill
Marshbank Park Sledding Hill - The hill is located behind the playground, near the front parking lot, off Hiller Road.
Civic Center Park - This park has two hills to choose from and, thanks to the nearby high school there is plenty of parking, even on the best sledding days.
Bloomer Park - This park will open their hill only with 4” or more of snow. The park also includes heated restrooms and a hill top shelter.
Shiawassee Park - Technically located across the street from Shiawassee Park, and behind the Farmington Schools building. Consider accessing it from Raphael Street, just north of the park.
Catalpa Oaks - This park has a couple of hills, but the one the gets the most sledding action is located north of the parking lot off Catalpa, at the western edge of the park.
