Cadillac
A historic logging hub cradled between two pristine frozen lakes and surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of national forest.
Cadillac lives and breathes snowmobiling; when the lakes freeze and trails turn white, the town comes alive with winter energy.
Cadillac-area slopesChoose a ski day
Compare the nearby hills and arrange lessons or rentals for your date.
Winter pathsTake a trail chapter
Choose a permitted route suited to walking, snowshoes or Nordic skis.
Snowmobile trailsRide the winter network
Begin with current trail access, permits and properly arranged equipment.
Town & cabin timeMeet for the warm-up
Make a shared meal the part everyone comes back for.
The day he stopped looking at his skis.
A first ski day
Andre had explained the lesson to his daughter three times. She had one question: would he be taking a lesson too? By lunch, she was turning without looking at her feet. He was still thinking about his. She offered to wait for him on the next run. He said yes.
Make a real version of this +
Build a Caberfae day around a lesson, equipment fitting and breaks together. A lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson are separate purchases unless the selected package explicitly combines them. Gloves, warm layers and winter outerwear need their own plan. First-day success can mean a comfortable stop after a short session.
The quiet person picked the best part.
Two wives, one weekend
Elena wanted turns. Her wife, Mei, wanted trees. They stopped trying to negotiate one perfect activity and chose a time to meet instead. That evening, Elena talked with her hands about the hill. Mei described a silence so complete she had heard snow fall from a branch. They both wanted another day.
Make a real version of this +
Caberfae and the nearby MacKenzie Trail give this idea two distinct outdoor settings. The visitors bureau describes a roughly ten-mile trail network used for classic cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Choose a short segment that suits the group; ten miles is the network, not an itinerary. Trailhead parking fees and current grooming need checking. Arrange transport and a meeting point before splitting up.
She still knew where the good turn was.
Back at seventy
Her grandson offered to carry everything. Rosa let him carry the bag. At the hill, she took her own skis. She had no interest in proving anything, and even less interest in pretending she wasn’t excited. After a few easy runs, she called lunch. The story he told afterward began with, “You should have seen Grandma.”
Make a real version of this +
Caberfae’s published 2026–27 Silver Streak offer is for ages 65 and older on Tuesdays and Thursdays: $29 lift ticket, with $29 equipment rental including a helmet. It excludes December 29 and 31, 2026. The offer is sold at the ticket window. Choose an appropriate lesson or refresher and leave the afternoon flexible.
For the skiers: Caberfae Peaks
A downhill anchor outside Cadillac. Adult all-day equipment rental is listed at $44, including skis, boots, poles and helmet. A qualifying college-day ticket plus rental is $48, subject to the published weekday and holiday rules.
·For the quiet crew: MacKenzie Trail
The local visitors bureau identifies this trail near Caberfae for winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Ask about the day’s access, snow and parking; no groomed condition is assumed.
Trail information ↗Sleep: Coyote Crossing cabins
Published winter 2026–27 rates: $185 weekday, $229 Thursday, $259 weekend or $289 holiday per cabin per night, before taxes and fees. Base rate covers four; guests five and six add $20 each per night. Weekend minimum is normally two nights.
Dates, occupancy & full terms ↗Eat together, without a second itinerary
Coyote Crossing has an on-site restaurant. A cabin kitchen gives the group another option. At Caberfae’s MacKenzie Lodge, guest-room cooking appliances are prohibited for 2026–27, so the two stays need different meal budgets.
Lodge rules ↗Dinner / Coyote Crossing
Let the bar and grill be the place where the ski crew and the quiet crew compare afternoons. Staying in a cabin here makes that gathering part of the trip.
Cinema / GQT Cadillac 4
A movie gives tired legs an evening off. Choose a current showing, then fit dinner around it instead of squeezing in another cold activity.
National Forest Trails & Supper Club Steaks
Snowshoe or cross-country ski the pine loops of the Cadillac Pathway, warm up by the fire at Evergreen Resort, and indulge in prime rib and old fashioneds at The Timbers.
Ice Shanties & Brewpub Suppers
Spend the morning ice fishing on Lake Cadillac amidst the colorful shanty village, warm up with downtown coffee at The Greenhouse Cafe, and enjoy wood-fired pizza and craft beer at Clam Lake Beer Co.
Morning cross-country ski on the Cadillac Pathway, lunch at Clam Lake Beer Co., afternoon ice fishing or snowmobiling, and dinner at The Timbers.
Stay at Evergreen Resort, spend Saturday experiencing the Snowmobile Festival or exploring trail networks, and enjoy a relaxed Sunday around the frozen lakes.
- 01
The Timbers Restaurant & Lounge
A quintessential Northern Michigan supper club serving prime rib, steaks, seafood, and old fashioneds in a warm, wood-beamed dining room.
- 02
The Coyote Crossing Resort (Nearby Lake City)
Famous trailside tavern and restaurant accessible directly by snowmobile or car; hearty burgers, craft beer, and roaring indoor and outdoor fires.
9050 Cadillac Rd, Cadillac, MI 49601 · (231) 839-7553 · Website ↗
- 03
Clam Lake Beer Co.
Vibrant downtown brewpub on historic Mitchell Street serving scratch wood-fired pizzas, gourmet sandwiches, and house-brewed craft beers.
106 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601 · (231) 468-2005 · Website ↗
Wood-Fired Fennel Sausage Pizza & Local Stout
Spread house tomato sauce on scratch dough, top with mozzarella, local Italian sausage, roasted peppers, and basil, baked in a wood-fired oven and paired with an oatmeal stout.
Three things most people walk past.
- Hundreds of colorful ice-fishing shanties scattered across the frozen expanse of Lake Cadillac.
- Snowmobiles parked in long rows outside downtown Mitchell Street brewpubs.
- Frost-covered pine branches along the wooded loops of the Cadillac Pathway.
- 01
Clam Lake Beer Co. Taproom
Great downtown energy, local craft beer flights, and lively weekend gatherings.
106 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601 · (231) 468-2005 · Website ↗
- 02
The Timbers Lounge
Cozy up-north bar serving stiff drinks and friendly conversation by the wood-paneled hearth.
- 01
The Greenhouse Cafe
Cozy downtown coffee shop on Mitchell Street serving hot lattes and fresh breakfast pastries.
114 S Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601 · (231) 468-2121 · Website ↗
- 01
Ice Fishing on Lake Cadillac & Lake Mitchell
Hundreds of ice fishing shanties dot the frozen dual lakes targeting walleye, bluegill, and pike all winter long.
- 02
Snowmobiling the White Pine & Forest Trails
Cadillac is a premier trailhead hub connecting riders to hundreds of miles of groomed state trails.
Trailheads throughout Cadillac and Wexford County · Website ↗
- 03
- Drilling an ice fishing hole on Lake Cadillac and setting up a heated shanty for a Saturday afternoon of perch fishing.
- Clam Lake Beer Co. on Mitchell Street represents the vibrant revitalization of Cadillac's historic downtown.
- The North American Snowmobile Festival brings thousands of winter enthusiasts onto the frozen waters of Lake Cadillac.
Local customRiding snowmobiles straight from trailside cabins into town for dinner at Clam Lake Beer Co.
Late January / Early February 2027
Cadillac North American Snowmobile Festival
One of Michigan's largest winter festivals featuring snowmobile drag races on the ice, polar bear dips, ice sculpting, and fireworks over Lake Cadillac.
- 01
Evergreen Resort
Sprawling resort overlooking the rolling Wexford County hills, featuring indoor pool, saunas, on-site dining, and direct access to snowmobile trails.
7880 Mackinaw Trail, Cadillac, MI 49601 · (231) 775-9941 · Website ↗
- 02
Coyote Crossing Resort Cabins
Cozy log cabins sitting directly on the snowmobile and ATV trail system east of Cadillac.
9050 Cadillac Rd, Cadillac, MI 49601 · (231) 839-7553 · Website ↗
Bring a little Cadillac homeThe Lake Effect mugHolds sixteen ounces of something hot and one strong opinion about the forecast.Have a look ↗
The cabin gets a chapter, too.
A woven throw, a warm mug, and a reason to linger after the last run.
Meet the cabin collection →Collection preview / Designs in development
Mother & Adult Son
Sixty-Four Is a Fine Age to Start
At sixty-four, Evelyn has decided to learn to ski, much to the concern of her adult son. She has no interest in his advice, but every intention of enjoying northern Michigan's beginner slopes on her own terms.
Read their story →