Summer gets the attention, but Bellaire is a real winter town. There's a ski hill five minutes from downtown, miles of snowy trails, and a brewery that's just as good in January. Here's how to fill a winter trip.
Ski and snowboard at Schuss Mountain
Schuss Mountain, at Shanty Creek Resorts, has 42 trails, 7 lifts and 2 terrain parks, with night skiing Wednesday through Saturday. Kids 8 and under ski for $10 all season, which makes it one of the most affordable family ski trips in Michigan. For the 2026–27 season, daily skiing is projected to begin December 17. Read our full Schuss Mountain ski guide. Want more hills? Boyne Mountain, The Highlands and Nub's Nob are all day trips. See ski resorts near Bellaire.
Go tubing at Summit Mountain
Shanty Creek runs alpine tubing at Summit Mountain on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-December through mid-March. It's a great half-day for kids, or for anyone in your group who doesn't ski. Reserve online on busy weekends.
Cross-country ski and snowshoe
Shanty Creek's Nordic trails at Schuss Village open around late December. North of town, the Glacial Hills Pathway has more than 30 miles of hilly trails, with parts groomed in winter. See our guide to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near Bellaire.
Fat bike the snow
Fat biking has taken off around Bellaire. Sections of the Glacial Hills trails are groomed for fat bikes in winter, a local effort supported by Short's Brewing Company and the Friends of Glacial Hills. Check trail conditions before you head out.
Ride the snowmobile trails
Antrim County's state snowmobile trails run through the area around Bellaire and Mancelona, and the season runs December 1 through March 31. You'll need a Michigan trail permit. Read our guide to snowmobiling near Bellaire.
Warm up downtown
Downtown Bellaire is small and walkable, and its shops and restaurants make a good afternoon off the slopes. Short's Brewing Company's original pub is the classic warm-up spot, about ten minutes from Schuss.
Hot tubs, fireplaces and game nights
Half the fun of a winter trip is the house. Our homes near Schuss all have private hot tubs, fireplaces or wood stoves, and game rooms for snowy nights:
- Northwoods Treehaus: a treetop hot tub and an original stone fireplace, at Schuss Mountain Resort
- Alm Haus: a wood-burning stove, a game room and a hot tub under the pines, five minutes from the lifts
- Overlook Bellaire: a sauna, cold plunge and hot tub, plus a heated garage for winter
Northwoods Treehaus
A 1960s A-frame in the pines at Schuss Mountain Resort, with three kings, a stone fireplace, a bunk room with arcade and a treetop hot tub.
Check dates and book direct →
Alm Haus
A renovated Northwoods chalet 5 minutes from Schuss Mountain, with a hot tub under the pines, triple-queen bunk room, game room and stargazing dome.
Check dates and book direct →
Overlook Bellaire
A 2021 modern home on 10 private acres above Bellaire, looking out over Intermediate Lake. Sauna, cold plunge, hot tub and a game room.
Check dates and book direct →Winter driving tips
- Bring a vehicle that handles snow. All-wheel drive and good tires make a big difference on back roads and hills.
- Leave extra time when it's snowing, especially after dark.
- Pack an emergency kit: a scraper, a shovel, blankets and a phone charger.
- Check the forecast and road conditions before driving up from downstate. Lake-effect snow can arrive quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bellaire, Michigan good for a winter trip?
Yes. Bellaire has a ski hill five minutes from downtown at Schuss Mountain, plus tubing, Nordic trails, fat biking, snowmobile trails and a lively brewery.
When is ski season in Bellaire?
For 2026–27, Schuss Mountain plans daily skiing from December 17, 2026 to about March 22, 2027, depending on conditions.
What can non-skiers do in Bellaire in winter?
Tubing at Summit Mountain, snowshoeing, fat biking, exploring downtown Bellaire and Short's Brewing, or a quiet day in the hot tub.
Sources
Ski, tubing and Nordic details from Shanty Creek Resorts for 2026–27. Snowmobile season dates from the Michigan DNR. Checked October 2026.