Top Ten Places to XC Ski or Snowshoe in Leelanau County

Leelanau Trail - mostly flat 14 mile linear trail runs from Suttons Bay to Traverse City. The trail is groomed for classic and skate style skiing. Great beginner and family friendly trail. Ski though hardwoods and evergreens making way to orchard and vineyard views. The north end trail head is off 4th St. in Suttons Bay.

45 North Winery/Blustone Vineyard Trail - Taste and Ski! Ski from 45 North's Winery to BluStone Winery. 3.2 miles of groomed trail at 45 Norths Winery, great vineyard views.  Warm up at the fireplace and enjoy great wines after your ski/snowshoe.

Sleeping Bear Dunes - Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Trail - 8 miles of easy to advanced skiing. Start out by skiing though a picturesque covered bridge, then make your way out to panoramic dune and Lake Michigan vistas. The trailhead is directly inside the entrance to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

Whaleback Natural Area Trail -  1.5 miles of easy to intermediate trail best suited for snowshoeing. Steeper trail at the beginning making way to a flat 3/4 mile hilltop loop. Snowshoe to the overlook for Lake Michigan views with the Manitou Islands in the backdrop. This area is known for Bald Eagle sightings. Trail head is south of Leeland off M22 on the west side.

Leelanau State Park - 6 miles of trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. Ski though the woods out to the beach or to the scenic overlook and take in beautiful Lake Michigan views with the Fox Islands in the background. The trail head is off of Densmore Road.

Pyramid Point Trail - On this 2.7 mile trail, you will find three extremely different environments: meadow, beech-maple forest and high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Please do not descend the bluff for your own safety and to protect the natural setting. The trailhead is on north end of Point Onida Road, approximately 3.5 miles north of Glen Arbor.

Alligator Hill - 8 miles of trails, divided into easy, intermediate and advanced loops. Scenic overlooks offering views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Enter trail off Pierce Stocking Road just off Day Forest Road near M 109 in Glen Arbor. 

Bay View Trail - 8 miles of easy-to-advanced skiing. Terrain varies from beech-maple forest to open farm country. Lookout Point offers a view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding countryside. The trailhead is on north end of Thoreson Road, 3.5 miles north of Glen Arbor.

Good Harbor Bay Trail - A 2.8 mile beginner loop. Near the shores of Lake Michigan, ski out to the beach or through the woods. Trailhead is 10 miles northeast of Glen Arbor on Lake Michigan off County Road 669. 

Shauger Hill - 2.4 mile hilly loop through beech and maple forest. Trail takes you through hardwood forest interspersed with a few small fields and pine plantations. Part of the Scenic Drive Cross-Country Trail system. Trailhead is at Shauger Hill Road and Scenic Drive.

Full trail maps and directions to trail heads can be found at 

www.suttonsbaybikes.com/winter