Bittersweet Ski area in Allegan. Great for young kids and first timers. There is a "magic carpet" on the beginner hill rather than a tow rope. Much easier and less frusterating for beginners, not to mention safer. Snowshoeing is another great winter sport. All you have to do is know how to walk :-) Proven Trails off 4 mile just east of the Beltline is great.

My enitre family looks forward to winter every year because of how active we all are. My husband and I, along with our 3 kids ages 7, 4.5 & 2 can't wait to go skiing! We even started the little guy on downhill skis @ 19 months! This year he starts cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Too fun!

Hi Melody,

We own our equipment, all 3 kids included. I would recommend renting to see if they like it first. Bill & Paul's Sporthaus on East Paris has just extended their Kids Club to include Cross Country equipment along with downhill. How is works is that you buy all the equipment outright the first year and then return it by August (I believe) for 70% back towards the purchase of new gear. Great for fast growers. Or you can size for 2 years and then return for 45% credit. Check out www.billandpauls.com for full details. We started the kids on x-country skiis when my daughter was 5 (now 7) and middle son was 2.5 (now 4.5). At that time we put the baby in a Kelty kids pack and away we went! Now that the baby is 2, he'll get hand-me-downs from his brother and well adjust the sizes for the older 2 accordingly. Hope your 5yr old loves it as much as my kids do.
Little tip...we take them to Pigeon Creek have them do the mile loop first, go in for hot chocolate and then finish with the sledding. Works great!

Here's a link to more info about the kids trade in program at Bill&Paul's.

In the northern part of Kent County there are lots of places to go for some outdoor winter fun. Sparta has a free ice skating rink in Balyeat field, there is sledding at Long Lake Park and 7 miles of hiking and cross country ski trails at Howard Christensen Nature Center (HCNC) which is nestled in the Rogue River State Game Area. HCNC is open on Saturdays from 10-2 when there is at least 6" of snow on the ground with snowshoe rental ($4 each) and hot drinks (.50) available. Visit their website for details about special events for families and learn about the Connecting Families with Nature passport program too. (It's free!)