Winter on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is special. Light fluffy snow covering the trees and trail make it ideal for photography, skiing, or snowshoeing through a secluded winter wonderland! Most of the trail is groomed in the winter with a corduroy base for skate skiing, snowshoeing, and classic tracks on the outside for classic cross-country skiing.
December 5, 2024
Snow Has Arrived!
Finally, we got enough snow to begin to build the base. We compacted snow from Glen Arbor to Empire. There wasn’t enough snow to lay down classic tracks, but skate skiers will enjoy the trail from Empire to the Dune Climb. The whole trail between Glen Arbor to Empire is good for fat tire biking! Learn more about winter trail etiquette here.
We did remove several small down trees and one very large beech tree about a mile south of the Dune Climb.
Ski Conditions
Empire to the Dune Climb – 5″ of powder compacted to about 1″ of base. This is the best skiing conditions for skate skiing on our trail.
Dune Climb Area – very icy, no base – wear Yak Tracks or micro-spikes on your shoes if you are walking.
Dune Climb to Glen Haven – icy in most spots – other areas have only very thin base. Good for fat tire biking but not for skiing. wear Yak Tracks or micro-spikes on your shoes if you are walking.
Glen Haven to Glen Arbor – 2-3″ of powder compacted to a very thin base. Good for fat tire biking but not for skiing. wear Yak Tracks or micro-spikes on your shoes if you are walking.
Glen Arbor to Bohemian Road – 3-5″ of fresh powder. We did not groom this section of trail.
Dune Climb Sledding – Looked like good conditions to sled. Snow covers all sand today.
Thank you to our volunteers, we can’t wait to enjoy the trails.
The SBHT is groomed by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. This program is supported through donations from people like you!
We are an all-volunteer organization that partners with the National Park to help maintain and heighten visitor experiences to the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.
Would you like to volunteer to help out on the trails? Sign-up on our Volunteer Page.
Trail Description
The trail from Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb (4 miles) is relatively flat with beautiful scenery. A loop trail through DH Day Campground and a loop just south of the Dune Climb have been added. You may have to remove your skis to cross M-109 and in Glen Haven.
The section from Empire to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (3 miles) is also beautiful, but has more challenging slopes. This section will be groomed with one set of classic tracks to allow for wide corduroy for skate skiing.
The trail north of Glen Arbor – from Crystal View trailhead to Port Oneida Road is open for skiing. This section will be groomed again this year. There is also trailhead parking on Thoreson Road at the Bay View trail parking lot.
The newest section of trail from Port Oneida Road to Bohemian Road (CR-669) is open for skiing but is not groomed. Some areas of this section are so close to the highway that snowplows throw sand and salt on the trail.
Trailhead parking is available on Forest Haven Road in Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Drive, and the corner of Voice Rd and Bar Lake Rd on the north end of Empire. The section of trail north of Glen Arbor has trailhead parking at Crystal View Trailhead, the Bay View Trailhead on Thoreson Road, and on Port Oneida Road.
Note, Pets are not allowed on designated cross-country ski trails from December 1 – March 31. See Park Pet Page for more information.
Etiquette for Fat-Tire Bikes on the SBHT
