Embrace winter in Greater Lansing! With a diverse range of outdoor activities, there's no shortage of ways to experience the magic of the season. Check out these top five activities that are a must for your winter bucket list.
1. Rent a Snow Tube & Hit the Hills
Hawk Island
Experience the thrill of a high-speed ride down Hawk Island Park's 500-foot-long tubing hill. It features four lanes that drop over 60 feet! Once at the bottom, enjoy the convenience of the Magic Carpet conveyor belt that whisks you back to the top for endless fun! The park creates its own snow, ensuring a winter wonderland all season long.
This family-friendly activity is open to all ages as long as individuals can get in and out of a tube by themselves, ride down the hill on their own, and stand on their own while using the Magic Carpet conveyor belt.
Reservations are required and must be made in advance. Reserve your time at the Ingham County Parks website. Hawk Island Park also has a vehicle entrance fee of $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents.
Burchfield Park
Burchfield Park offers a variety of slopes to suit every skill level. Snow tube rentals are available on the weekends or you can bring your sled to enjoy the smaller hills. Please note that toboggans, snowboards, and skis are not permitted on the slopes.
Get out of the cold and step into the warming building. Self-serve hot chocolate is available for $2.
The park relies on natural snowfall, so availability may vary throughout the season. For the most up-to-date information on availability for rentals, visit Burchfield Park Winter Hours and Activities.
Reservations for rentals aren't required, but Burchfield Park does have a vehicle entrance fee of $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents.
2. Go Ice Skating
Outdoor Skating
Did you know that there are two outdoor ice rinks in Greater Lansing?
Head downtown to Reutter Park and glide on a 3,330-square-foot synthetic ice rink, illuminated by colorful lights and warmed by cozy heaters. Bring your own skates or rent a pair on-site.
Or skate on over to Marketplace on the Green in Meridian Township and enjoy the synthetic ice rink. Some skates are available on-site to borrow.
Indoor Skating
Looking for an indoor experience? Try the Biggby Coffee Ice Cube East Lansing. Perfect for year-round skating. Public skate sessions are available at various times. Admission is $6 per person and skate rentals are $3. Skate walkers are available for skaters under 4 feet.
Visit the Biggby Coffee Ice Cube East Lansing for the public skate schedule and for special public skating events. Pre-registration online is required.
3. Enjoy Miles of Cross Country Skiing
Many of the area's hiking trails transform into scenic cross-country ski routes during the winter. For the best place to get ski rentals head to these spots:
Burchfield Park offers well-maintained trails and convenient ski rentals. Rentals are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with limited hours on weekdays (weather permitting). Rent skis at the Ski Rental building in the lower parking lot.
Lake Lansing North has ski rentals on Saturdays and Sundays.
Fitzgerald Park has both ski and snowshoe rentals. Appointments are required and can be made by calling or texting 517-648-0872. Cross-country ski rentals include skis, poles, and boots.
Ski rental availability depends on weather conditions. It is a good idea to check the Ingham County Winter Conditions website for the latest information.
4. Explore a Nature Center by Snowshoe
Explore the serene beauty of the Greater Lansing area on snowshoes at one of the local nature centers.
Embark on a peaceful snowshoeing journey through the extensive trail system at Harris Nature Center. Snowshoe rentals are also available on-site (weather permitting).
Visit Fenner Nature Center and immerse yourself in nature on their picturesque snow-covered trails.
Or head over to Woldumar Nature Center and enjoy a winter wonderland exploration through diverse habitats like the stunning old-growth white pine forest!
All nature centers are open daily from dawn to dusk and offer special events throughout the season.
5. Attend a Winter Event or Festival
Get out and celebrate winter by attending an outdoor event or festival, like the annual Nordic Fire Festival in Charlotte. There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season in Greater Lansing.
