Shanty Creek Resort to Open Nov. 25

            As I write this, it’s 32 degrees on the slopes of Shanty Creek Resort between Bellaire and Mancelona, and chair lifts will are scheduled to start humming Nov. 25.

Base of a run at Schuss Mountain

            And both the resort, and skiers, can’t wait for temps to drop a few more and for snow to start dropping, both from the sky and the resort’s snow guns, to open another season of fun. It's not there yet, judging from today's live webcam, but it will be soon.

            Occupying the hills here since the 1960s, both resorts have undergone a massive renovation in the last few years. Here’s a preview of what you’ll find when you return:

            As part of its massive $10 million renovation reopens its Lakeview Restaurant & Lounge and the new Grand Lobby looking out over one of northern Michigan’s most spectacular views.

            The Lakeview Hotel & Conference Center – formerly known as the Summit Village Hotel – was given an upscale “lake house” design. Inspired by the Hotel’s mountaintop setting, designers brought the magnificent view of Lake Bellaire and the hillsides beyond into the Lobby and Restaurant with expansive glass walls and tall hardwood ceilings. The complete redesign features rich wood tones, warm reds and chocolates as well as green fabrics, giving an inviting, sophisticated feeling.

            Three new runs will open on the north face of Schuss Mountain, bringing Shanty Creek’s skiable runs to 52.

            Two will weave through the glades to the Red Lift. And a new all- natural terrain park located between Purple Daze and Village Way will offer enthusiasts another option for grinding their way downhill this winter. It’s also located on the north face of Schuss Mountain.

            Schuss Mountain will also be open for night skiing on Friday nights until 10 p.m. For guests checking into one of Shanty Creek Resorts 450-plus rooms and condos, night of arrival Friday skiing is included with ski packages. And to expedite your time to the slopes on Saturday morning, you can get t rental equipment Friday nights until 10 p.m.

            In addition this season, Shanty Creek will be unveiling a new solar-power- lighted cross-country ski trail at its Summit Village, home of The Lakeview Hotel and Conference Center.

            Shanty Creek will offer what it bills as Michigan’s most affordable lift ticket”—the Summit Only package. Introduced last season, the Summit Only lift ticket is Michigan’s most affordable skiing and for just $18 a day, what the resort says is one of the best ski values in America.

            The package includes a ski/snowboard rental option for just $17a day more. For beginners, families, and experienced skiers alike, the Summit Only package is available weekends only all season long.

            In addition, a family of four, all skiing or riding at Summit Mountain, can spend the day on the slopes for less than $150 including rentals.

            The resort also offers what it bills as the Midwest’s most affordable weekend packages:

            The Summit Ski Package

            The Summit Ski Package starts at $75 per person per night on weekends. Requiring a two-night stay, it includes lodging in a condo guestroom, two-day Summit ski slopes ticket, and complimentary skiing night of arrival. In addition, children under age 8 ski free and children under 12 eat free.

            The Midweek Ski Package

            For even greater value, check out the Midweek Ski Package at Shanty Creek, which starts at only $54 per person.  Available Monday through Friday, it includes lodging in a condo guestroom, one- day lift ticket good for any of Shanty Creek’s three villages, and complimentary skiing night of arrival. Children under age 8 ski free and children under 12 eat free.

            Other packages include one for couples that combines skiing with visits to nearby wineries, culinary workshops, and meeting space, which has been totally renovated.

            For more on the resort, go to www.wshantycreek.com.

Meet Michigan’s Newest National Park, Other Monroe Sites: River Raisin Battlefield Figured in War of 1812

Visitor Center for River Raisin Battlefield contains dioramas and other park information

            What’s great, or lucky, about the number 393 in Monroe?

            It’s because the long-campaigned-for-and-finally-reality River Raisin National Battlefield Park is now officially the nation’s 393^rd national park.

            The War of 1812 battlefield was set aside by Congress, and signed into being by President Obama, and this battle just south of Detroit was one of the bloodiest, and crucial to controlling the Great Lakes.

            The national park doesn’t commemorate a victory for the American side, however. Rather, the battle, which took place on Jan. 18-23, 1813, was one of the worst defeats of the war inflicted on the Americans by the British and their Indian allies, as you’ll learn at the Park Visitor Center, in a former 20^th century home built on the edge of what in 1813 was near-wilderness in the portion of the Northwest Territory.

            Fought along the north bank of the river, the battle pitted American and British troops for control of the important port of Detroit, and all of the lower Great Lakes region. With the British were the troops of the famed Indian leader Tecumseh, who did not personally participate.

            After virtually destroying the American army, which had hurried here from Detroit, Indian’s hopes of preserving their land from the ever-encroaching Europeans and Americans rang more true than ever.

            In addition, the British force destroyed the town of Frenchtown, near present-day Monroe, and left the entire Ohio territory exposed to British capture.  After the battle, Indians killed most of the injured Americans. In all, more than 400 were killed, the highest number of Americans to die in that war during a single battle.

            After the battle, Americans struggled for months to regain what they had lost, finally relying on Perry’s naval victory in Lake Erie to secure the area. If they had lost that battle, Michigan and much of the Great Lakes area might have eventually become part of Canada.

            The National Park Service began studying the idea of creating a park here in earnest in 2008 after years of campaigning by local officials and politicians.

            The current visitor center is at 1403 E. Elm Street, and it features a fiber optic display of the battle, dioramas and more.

            And, while you’re in Monroe, see displays of Monroe’s George A. Custer, who led his troops into history at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana, around town, including at the Monroe County Historical Museum.

            Head to town in summer and catch the annual River Raisin Jazz Festival in mid-August. Rent a canoe for a float down the river, or head onto Lake Erie on a charter walleye fishing boat like Tradewinds Charters or launch your own at Sterling State Park or Lake Erie Metropark (that’s up the coast a bit), or play golf on one of several courses in the area. Then shop at Michigan’s top tourist attraction, Cabela’s superstore near Dundee a few miles west. Or, take the kids to the Calder dairy farm to see what a real working farm looks like and for an ice cream cone, courtesy of the farm’s dairy herd. There are plenty of places to stay, including one made for kids and families: Splash Universe River Run, an indoor water park, next door to Cabela's. For more information on the Monroe area, go to www.monroeinfo.com.             

The Iceman Cometh (Again) to Traverse City This Weekend

From top: bikers with broken equipment sometimes carry their mounts across finish; teams from across North America compete.

            If you’re headed north this weekend, and enjoy mountain biking, you might just want to steer those handlebars toward Traverse City to experience, either from a saddle, or as a ground spectator, the largest one-day bicycle race in the world.

             The Iceman Cometh Challenge, now in its 21^st year, is a 27-mile point-to-point race, meaning it starts in one spot (in this case, downtown Kalkaska), and ends at another (in this case, Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, in the hills above Grand Traverse Bay’s East Arm).

            And if you’re doubting that world’s largest-claim, look at the numbers: more than 4,000 riders individual and in teams, from across North America, will put the pedal to the mud, snow, leaves, or whatever’s on the ground Saturday (some years it’s been all three).

            This used to be a morning event. However it’s grown so big, that there are now two starts for the full race. Amateur riders push off at 9:30 a.m., while pro teams and individuals leave Kalkaska at 2:30 p.m.

            This is not only a race for the pros. If you’re of a mind, grab your Schwinn and roll off in the Slush Cup, an 8-mile fun race that’ll take you up and down the tree-covered hills near the finish line, starting at 9 a.m. It’s a fun event that the kids will  love, too, as much of the Slush Cup field is comprised of youngsters.

            For the really wee ones, the Meijer Sno Cone race, for kids aged 12 and under, gets underway from Timber Ridge at 3 p.m., on a short (quarter-mile) loop.

            However, if you want to participate, you’ll have to wait until next year for either fun race, plus the 27-miler, as all spots are spoken for. Registration starts in spring at the Web site, www.iceman.com.

            The evening before, head to Grand Traverse Resort & Spa for the accompanying Ice Cycle Expo to see the latest in cycling gear, bicycles, bike racks, and more.

            Then, if you didn’t sign up and chose to spectate rather than participate, grab a spot near the track in the woods in and around the finish as the racers tear around the approach, whipsawing back and forth through the trees with such skill you’ll be amazed that a bike can do what these skilled riders manage to put their mounts through.

            Following the races, the finish line becomes one big party site as spectators welcome those who finished without too many flat tires or bent equipment, beginning at 10 a.m. There will be music, food, and beverages, both adult and otherwise, to slake the thirsts of cyclists and their support groups, along with spectators.

            If you’re going, be ready for any kind of weather. Dress for cold, and be sure to bring wet weather gear just in case. If you’re participating, take it from one who’s done the Slush Cup at least: the entire event is a blast, and crossing that finish line to the cheers of folks who don’t know you from Gary Fisher (a pro racer who’s been credited with beginning the sport of mountain biking), plus your friends, is something you need to experience.

            For more information, go to iceman.com, or go to www.visittraversecity.com.