Parks & Recreation

Winter brings new opportunities for recreation in Michigan

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By BECKY WILDT
Capital News Service
LANSING — The long Michigan winters don’t stop outdoor groups from getting children outdoors and learning new skills
Ski Girls Rock at Mount Brighton is a program where female ski instructors teach girls to improve technique while inspiring confidence and team building. The program was designed for intermediate skiers by Lindsey Vonn, the 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion for alpine skiing. “Skiing and snowboarding are life-long sports,” said Pat Schutte, the public relations representative, “Our goal is to make sure people are enjoying themselves while they’re out on the slopes so that they, too, get bit by the snow sports passion bug and can’t wait to get outside and enjoy our beautiful Michigan winters.”
For some of the colder days, the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor runs winter camps for campers to learn about animals. The weeklong Winter Camp Paws teaches campers about environmental education, conservation and animal welfare. “Our mission at our humane society is to promote the loving responsible care of all animals in our community,” said Amelia Rodgers, education camp programmer.

Business & Economy

Special events, indoor promotions increase winter tourism

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Vacationers in the Grand Traverse region this winter can do a lot more than ski. At Shanty Creek Resort, skiers can take a shuttle to downtown Bellaire, home of popular breweries like Short’s Brewing. Black Star Farms winery in Traverse City now offers horse-drawn sleigh rides on the winery’s grounds. As of last year, visitors can snowshoe a trail connecting Brys Estate Vineyard, Bowers Harbor Vineyards and the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery of Old Mission Peninsula. In a bid to expand tourist-related economic activity, businesses like these and across the state increasingly provide indoor tourist experiences to complement the great outdoors.