Spring is on its way, but there is still time to get outside and enjoy winter activities. So pull out your warm winter coat from The North Face and your winter-weather Smartwool socks and head to the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park.
LEARN TO LUGE
There are only two natural luge tracks in the United States and one of them is in Muskegon! If flying down an ice track on a sled sounds like fun to you, take the short drive to the Sports Park and spend an afternoon learning how to luge. Tickets for the luge track must be purchased in advance and include an instructor who teaches you the basic skills required to luge. Your ticket then covers up to 2.5 hours enjoying the track. Watch the brave souls speed down the track for just five minutes, and you’ll be impressed with how awe-inspiring the track is and how brave the participants are! Turn your next open day into a luge adventure that you will never forget!
SKATING/ICE HOCKEY
If the luge track is a little too adventurous for your taste, try skating on the two-acre ice rink! Great for families and hockey players alike, there are sections for skating around at your own pace or there are areas of the rink where serious skaters can be found playing pick-up hockey! The rink is also lit, so you can enjoy an evening skate as well.
SKATE IN THE WOODS
Another fun activity at the Sports Park is a lighted skating trail through the woods. The quarter-mile figure-eight loop is an especially unique experience in the evening under the lights! It makes for a great family outing or a perfect date night, and rental skates are available at the lodge.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOEING
For those of you interested in burning a few calories, there are groomed snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. The trails are well-lit and groomed which makes skiing and snowshoeing easier for beginners, though there are more difficult trails for those looking for a challenge.
STAY WARM BY THE FIRE
At the center of the complex are multiple fire pits surrounded by benches and seats for you to sit down and enjoy the warmth of a fire. The fire pits are lit up at night, creating a warm, inviting feeling. A heated wall tent is centrally located so parents can stay warm while watching their kids skate nearby.
ALL SEASON FUN
Soon enough, the snow will be melting and the ice will be gone, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until next winter to enjoy the park. During the spring, summer, and fall, the trails near the luge track make for great hiking — climb the nearby sand dunes and check out the historic blockhouse that is a short distance away.
The activities are reasonably priced and enjoyable, and offer unique outdoor opportunities during cold winter months. To learn more about the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, visit www.msports.org.
