Maybe you’ll want a break from all that skiing. Maybe skiing isn’t your thing to begin with. Or you simply want to try something new. Whatever the reason, the Petoskey Area is full of activities that take winter fun to a new level.  Check out the tips below. Then check into one of our hotels, resorts, inns, or condos. Please call in advance for hours and availability.

A Zipline Adventure is an all-thrills, no-skills activity for adventure seekers of all ages. Let this high-speed experience at Boyne Mountain or The Highlands take your breath away – and leave you eager for more. Fly through the clear Michigan air and see northern Michigan as you’ve never seen it before.

Axe marks the spot at this newly opened business. Northern Michigan Axe Company offers an exciting challenge that you can do alone or with your friends. Think you’ve got the arm and the eye for it? Check out axe throwing in downtown Petoskey – before you check out the local pubs, please.

Guided winter rafting down the river is incredibly beautiful and a great trip with friends. Experience the breathtaking beauty and solitude of winter while floating beneath a canopy of cedars and pines covered with freshly fallen snow. The fun and knowledgeable staff at Big Bear Adventures and Jordan Valley Outfitters offer guided rafting trips – an excellent opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

Boyne Mountain and The Highlands pride themselves on finding the most fun ways to ride on the snow, so it only makes sense that they would offer Sno-Go Biking! Think of skiing while on a bike and you’ve got this easy-to-get-started, super fun adventure!

The Petoskey Wine Region has you covered with friendly wine tastings in a variety of locations, while an assortment of breweries take care of the beer lovers in your group. Some locations, like Pond Hill Farm, offer both beer and wine sampling. More into craft cocktails? We’ve got that too at Mammoth Distilling in Bay Harbor and High Five Spirits in Petoskey. Check out High Five Spirit’s newest location at Gypsy Distillery just south past Bay Harbor!

Beautiful bar located at Gypsy Distillery. Photo courtesy of Gypsy Distillery.

Head inside and try your luck at Odawa Casino. You will find 1,000 slot machines, dozens of Las Vegas-style table games, and a dining experience above the ordinary at Sage. Enjoy live performances in Ovation Hall and Victories Sports and Entertainment before or after a light meal from the casual Copper Café.

If you have kids in tow, you’ll want to splash into Avalanche Bay™ indoor waterpark. This 88,000-square-foot mega-park features seven waterslides, a shallow children’s pool, activity pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, and the Rip Zone surf simulator – all indoors! Plus, The Big Couloir, a 360-degree extreme body slide offers the steepest drop in the industry and is the first slide of its kind in Michigan!

You can wear out the whole family to ensure a good night’s sleep by bowling a few frames, or with an exhilarating game of laser tag, at BC Lanes or Northern Lights Recreation Center.

Whether you’re a skier, a boarder, or just want to get out and have some winter fun, the Petoskey Area has you covered. Need some help with lodging? CLICK HERE

About the author

Diane Dakins is passionate about all of the communities that comprise the Petoskey Area of Michigan: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, and Boyne City. As assistant director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, she has “been there – seen that” when it comes to virtually every area attraction. She strives to create informative content that gives potential visitors the scoop on planning a northern Michigan vacation.