Why You Definitely Should Not Be Dreading Winter In Michigan

One of our favorite pastimes in Michigan is complaining about the awful weather every winter. And yeah, we get it and can relate. The brutal temperatures and snowy, icy conditions can test your patience. But there are definitely some advantages to winter that we take for granted. Here are a few reasons to consider.

10) Cross country skiing.

Ditch the car and cruise your way over the open snow on a pair of skies.

9) Ice skating.

Consider yourself lucky that you actually get to ice skate outdoors.

8) Or ice hockey.

There's a good reason ice hockey is so popular here. Has a lot to do with all those months in the cold we get to spend on the ice.

7) Indoor water parks.

When you can't 'break away from the cold, you'll find a bit of indoor paradise to distract the kiddos when they get cabin fever. Pictured here: Gold Rush Waterpark.

6) Snow days!

Let's face it, there's something secretly relieving when it's too snowy to drive to school or work. When a snow day is called, just pull up the bed covers over your head and snooze in your warm winter's nest.

5) Ice fishing.

Lake fish are a real treat and carving yourself a hole in the ice on top of a lake is a great way to score some.

4) Snowmobiling.

When driving is no longer an option, we have a great alternative mode of transportation. Pictured here is a vintage shot of snowmobiling in Manistique.

3) Snowshoeing.

And the fashion accessories are really quite practical (and fun) to use.

2) Tubing.

Pictured here: Timberlee Hills in Traverse City, the biggest tubing hill in the state. Weeeeee!

1) And finally, watching out for the first snowfall.

It's so beautiful and peaceful to sit somewhere quiet and experience the season's first snowfall.

Why are you looking forward to winter - or at least not dreading it? Let us know in the comments.