Hello there in Michigan,

I have recently retired and I am hoping to do some things I have not been able to do in the past. I am a CPA and owned my own practice. I could never get away between January 1 and April 15, now I can. Although we have never done it, my wife and I are thinking of trying some snowmobiling. Can anyone give us an idea of a good place to rent snowmobiles and a good place to stay while we are there? I am assuming one can get some lessons as to operation. It is not like we are going to be racing them. We more or less just want to see the scenery during the day and enjoy the lodging in the evening. By the way, we are from Ohio so I don't know how far north we need to go for an enjoyable vacation.

Thanks,
jim

Hi bogeyjds, my sister and her dh live in mi and they left this morning for their first "snowmobile trip" up in Cadillac (sp). If you give me a few days I can find out where they were staying and more detail.

My only experiences with snowmobiling have been in the Upper Peninsula (we here in the lower peninsula capitalize the letters, as to us, it's a bit like visiting another country). We also went dog-sledding up there. This was some years ago, but the nice thing is that you use old logging roads, so there is virtually no traffic other than fellow dog-sledders or snowmobilers. Some of the area you see up there also is very lovely, "runs" around little lakes, etc. We went to Paradise and Newberry. The kennel we used, I think was Sun Country Kennel; the guy who owns it is exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful on all the local sights. We stayed in a small motel in Newberry, I'm sorry, I can't remember the name. Just about all the little towns up there see an influx in winter of folks coming in for these activities, so IMO there are lots of little diners open for breakfast, etc.

You might want to try Googling the names of these two towns and see what you come up with.

BC

The snowmobiling in Mackinaw City is great this year. I just stayed at the Deer Head Inn B&B and they put together a packages including snowmobile rental for one of the other couples staying there.

Keith

I agree with Bookchick that the U.P. of Michigan would be an awesome place to snowmobile. There are lots of trails. Close to Paradise is Tahquamenon Falls State Park. They have a great microbrew and restaurant, the food is okay, but it is a great place to ride.

Another place in the northern part of the lower pen. of Michigan is Gaylord, MI. There is a place there that advertises low room rates, restaurant on site and snowmobile rentals. The name is Marsh Ridge. I am not sure if it has a website, but if you google the name and Gaylord Michigan you will probably get some hits.

I hope this helps. I am not much of a snowmobiler, prefer to cross-country ski, but we do have lots and lots of snow so come on up.

Hi there! What a great year to try out snowmobiling in our wonderful snowy state. Tons of snow up here. I agree with previous poster to try the Gaylord, MI area, about 3 and a half to four hours north of the Ohio border, or further north to the UP you will have tons of snow. Also, in Boyne Falls, east of Gaylord, there is a small outfit that rents snow machines and has lodging etc. You may have to google it to get the name. You are close to the nice town of Petoskey here for good dining experiences. The Up is very snowy and if you want to travel that far up Paradise and Brimley area, or Newberry all rent sleds and have wonderful trail systems. It is pretty remote but beautiful up there, expect about 2 to 3 more hours north of Gaylord however. Any more questions just ask!

Bogeyjds, in case you are still looking for a place to go for snowmobiling in Mi...

http://www.cadillacsands.com/winterpackages.html