As 2026 brings the Winter Olympics to the world stage, Muskegon County is celebrating with our own proud winter sports traditions and plenty of ways visitors can enjoy winter right here. From roots in Olympic sport history to thrilling outdoor experiences, Muskegon County knows winter sports.
Muskegon: The Birthplace of the Snowboard
Did you know that snowboarding, now a popular Olympic sport, began right here in Muskegon County? In 1965, local engineer Sherm Poppen invented the Snurfer, the predecessor to the modern snowboard, by bolting two skis together for his children to ride down Muskegon’s snow-covered sand dunes. The Snurfer later influenced the development of snowboarding, which became an Olympic event in 1998.
Today, you can explore this history at local museums and see “Turning Point,” a public sculpture in downtown Muskegon honoring this key moment in winter sport history.
One Park, All the Winter Activities: Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
Muskegon is also home to one of only four public luge tracks in the United States, located at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park in Muskegon State Park. The track was designed by Olympian Frank Masley and is a “kunstbahn” a German term for an artificial track, made from natural ice. Novices and thrill-seekers alike can slide at speeds up to 30 mph through six banked curves on the 850-foot course. First-time participants receive training and equipment on arrival. Reservations are recommended for luge rides, as space is limited.
Other winter activities, like skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating, don’t require reservations, and equipment is available on site. The park is committed to accessibility, providing adaptive skate sleds and a transfer station for visitors with limited lower-body mobility. Staff are happy to assist anyone trying adaptive winter sports.
Relaxing Between Adventures
Not into participating in winter sports? Visitors can warm up by the Fire Garden with a hot chocolate, enjoy snacks from the Snowshoe Café, or simply watch the action. Spectators are welcome without a fee to cheer on their friends. On select weekends in January and February, adult beverages and live entertainment add to the festive atmosphere.
Pro Tip! Check snow and ice conditions online before your visit HERE
Winter Fun for Every Athlete and Fan
Whether you’re into heart-pounding speed or relaxed outdoor fun, there’s something to enjoy.
Ice Skating and Hockey
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park features a quarter-mile ice trail through the woods and two acres of natural ice for skating and hockey. Skates, helmets, and sticks are available to rent. Guests with limited lower-body mobility can use adaptive skate sleds and the transfer station.
Trinity Health Arena hosts the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, giving fans the chance to cheer on fast-paced professional hockey throughout the winter. In 2025, the Lumberjacks captured the Clark Cup championship, the first in franchise history, with a thrilling overtime win in the final game.
Hockey action continues at Lakeshore Sports Centre, where visitors can watch the Muskegon Voyagers, a semi-pro men’s team in the Michigan Independence Hockey League (MIHL), or the Lakeshore Jr. Lumberjacks, a youth program for players ages 6U to 18U, where young athletes can chase their Olympic dreams.
Both venues offer public skating sessions, so visitors of all ages can enjoy time on the ice.
Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Muskegon County offers nearly 70 miles of trails winding through scenic settings across three state parks, seven county parks, nature preserves, and city parks, perfect for skiing and snowshoeing. Cross-country skiing here echoes Olympic Nordic skiing events, giving visitors a chance to try the sport that has been part of the Winter Games since 1924. Snowshoeing offers a slower-paced way to explore the same winter landscapes and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
It’s a great way to get a workout while taking in Muskegon County’s winter scenery, whether you’re chasing Olympic-style speed or a peaceful snowshoe stroll.
Muskegon County and Olympic Links
Muskegon’s contribution to Olympic sport isn’t just local lore. Fairchild MacCarthy, born in Muskegon on May 28, 1896, was an American skeleton racer who competed in the late 1940s, finishing eighth in the men’s skeleton event at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz. In 1955, the Cresta Run Macklin Cup race was renamed the Fairchild MacCarthy Cup in his honor.
Local athletes continue to carry Muskegon County’s competitive spirit. Muskegon lugers like Jake Hyrns came close to Olympic qualification, narrowly missing the chance to compete in the 2018 Winter Games. Hockey fans can celebrate Muskegon’s Olympic ties through Justin Abdelkader, who represented Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as a member of the men’s ice hockey team.
Make Your Winter Visit Olympic-Level Fun
From skiing and snowshoeing to thrilling luge runs and historic winter sport roots, Muskegon County has winter activities that both visitors and locals can enjoy during the 2026 Winter Olympics season. Check conditions before your visit, dress in layers, and get ready to make winter memories.
