Hundreds of miles of marked and groomed trails throughout the north penetrate deep into national and state forests, linking to cross-state connections. The Cadillac area has been ranked as one of the top snowmobiling destinations in the nation. Anyone operating a snowmobile in Michigan on public property must have a valid snowmobile registration and snowmobile trail permit. To rent a machine, most rental firms require customers to be 18 years or older and possess a valid driver's license. The winter is long and the days are short in the north country, but we northerners know how to delight in the season's simple pleasures.
Visitors are welcome to don their mittens and join the fun.
Nearly every community from Ludington to St. Ignace maintains a public sledding hill and skating rink. Following zero-degree nights in late November, ice shanties pop up like mushrooms on the region's frozen lakes as anglers set their sights on great winter fishing. See our Fishing and Hunting chapter to find out where the fish are biting. In Mackinaw City, hundreds of mushers harness their huskies to compete in one of the nation's largest and most exciting dog sled races. See our Close-up in this chapter to find out about the famed Mackinaw Mush.