Get ready for a fast and fun ride at Hawk Island Park, which has a 500-foot-long tubing hill with four lanes that drop over 60 feet. No need to walk back to the top, since there's an automatic Magic Carpet conveyor belt that will take you back up for another round of fun!
The park makes its own snow for the run and opens in January.
All ages are allowed to use the hill as long as they 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 must be made in advance.
Burchfield Park offers three hills for all ages. Snow tube rentals are available on the weekends, but you can also bring your own sled to ride on the two smaller hills. Toboggans, snowboards, and skis are not allowed.
Burchfield does not make its own snow, so availability depends on the weather.
Reservations are not required, but the park does have a visitor fee.
Did you know that there are two outdoor ice skating rinks in Greater Lansing?
Head downtown to Reutter Park with your own skates or rent a pair when you get there. This is a 3,300-square-foot synthetic ice rink. Skate the day away with colorful lights and heaters to keep you nice and cozy.
Skate on over to Meridian Township and hop on their synthetic ice rink located at Marketplace on the Green. Some skates are available on-site to borrow for free.
Both ice rinks are open daily and are free to use.
Looking for an indoor experience? Try the East Lansing Ice Cube. The rink is open to public skate on various days throughout the year. Whether you are with friends, family, on a date, or looking for exercise, the ice is always ready. Admission is $6 per person and skate rentals are $3. Skate walkers are available for skaters under 4 feet. Visit the East Lansing Ice Cube for the public skate schedule.
Almost all of the area's hiking trails are open to cross-country skiing during the winter. There are a select few trails that are groomed specifically for skiing. Burchfield Park and Lake Lansing North (Trey Pond trail only) are two parks that have groomed trails during the snowy season.
If you want to ski but don't own your own equipment, there are a couple of parks in the area that you can rent from. Both Burchfield and Lake Lansing North offer this option.
Burchfield offers ski rentals on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There are limited hours based on staff availability Monday through Thursday. Skis can be rented at the Ski Rental Building in the lower parking lot. This park does have a vehicle entrance fee.
Lake Lansing Park North offers ski rentals on Saturdays and Sundays only from 10 a.m. to one hour before sunset. This park does have a vehicle entrance fee.
Ski rental availability depends on weather conditions. It is a good idea to check the Ingham County Winter Conditions website for the latest status information.
Cross-country skiing not your thing? Give snowshoeing a try at a local nature center.
The Greater Lansing region is home to three nature centers - Harris, Fenner, and Woldumar. Each nature center offers miles of trails to explore and is open all year round, from dawn to dusk. Experience the magic of winter by strapping on a pair of snowshoes and jumping on the trails.
Don't own snowshoes? Harris Nature Center has you covered. Snowshoe rentals are available Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., snow permitting.
From the month-long Winter Fest to Nordic Fire Festival, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season in Greater Lansing.
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