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Pure Michigan Celebrates Snow Days this Winter

Mild temperatures may have provided a slow start to winter, but snow will be here before we know it and Pure Michigan has winter recreation on the mind.

picSkiersAccording to Project: Time Off and the US Travel Association, 429 million days of annual leave go unused in the U.S. each year. This winter, Travel Michigan is encouraging people to put some of those unused vacation days to work, channeling their inner child and heading out to experience the thrill of a Pure Michigan Snow Day.

In addition to this year’s winter advertising campaign, which begins airing the first week of January, a Snow Day landing page has launched to provide visitors to the most visited state tourism website in the country with the inspiration and information to plan the perfect winter getaway. A new video highlighting winter recreation offerings is also available on the new landing page and Pure Michigan’s YouTube page.

“Michigan is a place where snow days come to life and there is no better way to enjoy the unique and beautiful winter travel experiences the season has to offer than to create your own Pure Michigan Snow Day,” said Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Whether you are an enthusiast looking for a new adventure or just looking to beat cabin fever, make the most of those unused annual leave days and revel in the excitement and delight that awaits when a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground and the day is wide open.”

Travelers and travel industry partners are being encouraged to use the hashtag #puremichigansnowday to highlight winter offerings and adventures across Michigan.

Snowmobilers Northcentral TrailMichigan is home to more than 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, 3,000 miles of cross country skiing trails and is second in the nation for ski areas boasting everything from family friendly bunny hills to the tallest vertical drop in the Midwest at Mt. Bohemia. Last year, winter tourism generated $2.8 billion in traveler spending in Michigan.

The Holland Sentinel offered up these suggestions of how you can enjoy the #puremichigansnowday:

1. Intro to Mushing at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County):

Are you interested in learning about dog sledding? Members of the Southwest Michigan Husky Club will provide two introductory classes that will cover several different outdoor activities that owners can enjoy with their dogs. The classes will run from 10 am to 3 pm, Jan. 16 and Feb. 20. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to make your reservation, visit thesouthwestmichiganhuskyclub.org or call (517) 741-9290.

PJ Hoffmaster Winter2. Winter 2016 Snowshoe Hikes at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County):

Enjoy a fun recreational activity outdoors beginning at 10:30 a.m. each session (Saturday, Jan. 16, 23 and 30 and Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27). Reservations are required and are limited to two hike reservations per person. Snowshoes can be reserved for $5 per pair and must be reserved in advance and paid for on the day of the hike. For more information or to make your reservation, call (231) 798-3573 or visit michigan.gov/hoffmaster.

Muskegon Winter Sports Complex Luge3. Party in your Parka at Muskegon Winter Sports Complex within Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County):

Join families and friends for the Muskegon Sports Council’s fourth annual event set for Jan. 23. This free event will include an art fair, live music and craft beer and wine service until midnight. Some costs may be associated with winter activities available at the sports complex, such as daily trail passes, equipment rentals and food/beverage purchases. For more information, visit msports.org.

 

Get Inspired for Winter and Show Off Your Snow Day Dance Moves

Pure Michigan is calling on people across Michigan, and beyond, to help inspire Mother Nature to bring on the fresh powder through a ritual – the snow dance – that kids have been using for generations when wishing for a snow day. Starting today, people across the state and throughout the nation will be able to share their best snow day dance moves on social media and michigan.org to bring on the snow for the remainder of the winter season.

Participants are invited to upload a video of their best snow day dance moves at michigan.org/snowdaydance or post their moves on Instagram using the hashtags #PureMichigan and #MiSnowDayDance. Throughout the next two months, these snow dance moves will be featured across Pure Michigan social channels and in an official Pure Michigan Snow Day Dance video. Entries may be submitted through February 29, 2016

“Snow is such a critical ingredient to making the most of a Pure Michigan winter and we want people all across Michigan to get in on the snow dance action,” said Lorenz. “This is a fun ritual that brings out the kid in everyone and reminds people to use some of those extra vacation days to plan a Pure Michigan Snow Day with their friends and family this year.

To jumpstart some snow dance inspiration, Tom Daldin, host of the PBS Show Under the Radar, hit the streets for Pure Michigan to capture some snow dance moves and keep the flakes flying. Check out the Snow Day Dance page to see these snow dances in action.

Snow dance submissions must be an original video, up to 30 seconds in length, which features participants showing off snow day dance moves. Videos cannot contain music and individuals who submit their snow dance video through Instagram must have a public

picPureMichiganOfficialWinterTravelGuideMichigan is a winter wonderland; home to 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails and 3,000 miles of cross country skiing trails. It is also the birthplace of organized skiing and snowboarding and ranks second in the nation for number of skiing areas found across the state. To inspire winter getaways, Pure Michigan has resources for travelers including michigan.org/snowday and the official Pure Michigan Winter Travel Guide, which can be downloaded at michigan.org/travel-guide.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

Watch the #PureMichiganSnowDay video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=92lkOghA_2s