HAPPY NEW YEAR! Just like waking up to today's fresh snowfall, January provides a perfectly clean slate for pursuing your wildest outdoor goals for 2025. We're absolutely STOKED for all that this new year will bring for Detroit's outdoors, starting with these top 5 outdoor events near Detroit this month!
There's something beautiful about waking up on the morning of January 1st. The past year's successes and failures are logged into the annals of history. We're all provided with a clean slate - a perfectly snow-covered trail of a calendar year, ready for you and your adventures to mark its first tracks.
Even though January still falls within Detroit's "off-season" for outdoor recreation, we should all strive to continue with any momentum gained during the tail-end of 2024 and keep getting outside. In fact, we'd go so far as to argue that now is the single best season for recreating in Detroit's natural environment. The colder, darker days act as an antithesis to crowds, fair-weather adventurers, and other human elements that detract from an outdoor experience.
In other words, if you're training for spring races, looking for natural solitude, or simply hate sharing the trail with the masses, then January is your time to shine. These top 5 events are geared towards recreationists just like you, and we can't wait to see you at one, two, or all of these events!
1. Brave the Abominable Snowman Ride
January 11th | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 11 A.M. Â Â
Ignore the deniers: the Abominable Snowman exists, and it rips on a mountain bike. Don't just take our word for it, though - the Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association is hosting its annual Abominable Snowman Ride at the Glenbrook Yurt in Pinckney State Recreation Area this upcoming Saturday, January 11th. Riders are welcome to join in on as much or little of the scheduled 5 hour ride as they would like, and a post-ride bonfire is on the agenda!
2. Defrost your Cross-Country Skis at the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic Ski Weekend
January 11-12th  | Huron Meadows Metropark | 10 A.M.
Full-disclosure, the Expedition Detroit team has had cross-country skiing on our recreational activity wishlist for some time now. In other words, we're complete rookies at this sport - despite decades of downhill skiing experience. We've been looking for an opportunity to dive head first into this sport, and this year's iteration of Frosty Freestke and Krazy Klassic Ski Weekend represents an ideal chance to start getting into the action!
Located at Huron Meadows Metropark, "Frosty Fest"Â will include a man-made snow course of multiple 2.5km loops. If natural snow permits, then the races will take place on the normal cross-country ski trails. The race offerings include 5K (MI Cup Junior points), 12K or 15K (MI Cup Senior points, longer distance if natural snow), and the "Krazy Klassic" 12K and 5K distances.
Quick note on Huron Meadows Metropark: the metropark is dubbed the "Southeast Michigan destination for skate-style and classic cross-country ski trails." Skiers can choose from 14.8 miles of trails for classic skiing or 9 miles of skate skiing. All trails are groomed daily and are lighted at night. The metropark's "Ski Center" (Golf Starter Building) features classic-style and skate-style ski rentals and a heated lounge, restrooms, and snacks. Groups of 10 or more can make arrangements to rent skis during the week.
3. Embrace the Elements in the Ode to Snow Ultra Race
January 18th  | Holly State Recreation Area | 9:20 a.m.
Let's call a spade a spade: winter trail running in Michigan is not for the faint of heart. The cold temps, unpredictable conditions, and fleeting daylight has a cumulative effect of weeding out any recreationists that prefer their trails, clean, dry, and warm. The Detroit region's winter trails are the playground of our most passionate, badass, "no pain no gain" genre of runners.
If you fit in that camp, then oh boy - do we have the event for you.
Crazy trail runners, meet "Ode in the Snow": an up to 8 hour "backyard style" ultra trail race along the (in)famous Ode to Laz Trail Loop in Holly State Recreation Area. The trail constitutes a 4.167 mile trail loop that has approximately 450 feet of climbing, is 2/3 technical single track, 1/3 moderate walking/hiking path, and a few hundred yards of pavement. For the event, runners are free to pick their favorite distance or run as much as they'd like, starting at 9:20 a.m. Runners looking for shorter distances should join Wave 2 at 2:20 p.m.
EXPLORE HOLLY RECREATION AREA ON A GUIDED HIKE WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
4. Ditch your Skis at the Duct Tape Derby
January 18th  | Mt. Brighton Ski Resort | 10 A.M.Â
Mt. Brighton may be famous for its impressive slopes, but this month the resort invites us all to ditch our skis and boards for its annual Duct Tape Derby event! Participants are encouraged to design a vehicle or sled exclusively out of reused cardboard, duct tape, and paint to race down the hill. Spectators will not only enjoy the hilariously fun racing action, but also live music, giveaways, outdoor food and bar, and much more.
For those charismatic souls interested in racing, note that spots are limited on a first come, first serve basis. Teams must be comprised of 2-3 racers, and no paint is permitted on the bottom of a sled. Register in advance by emailing your team name, participant names, and participant ages to MtBrightonSkiSchool@vailresorts.com.
5. Cross-Country Ski Under Candlelight
January 25th | Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area | 6:30 P.M.
As we said - we're really excited about getting into cross-country skiing this season, and this illuminated trail event hosted by the DNR at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area provides the perfect opportunity for skiers of all abilities to hit the trail. Skiers will traverse a well-groomed trail through the park illuminated by candles at night. The event also includes a post-ski warm up by a roaring fire with refreshments. Snowshoes are also welcome to walk along side the groomed ski track as well. If there is a lack of snow, this will be a walking event. Note that cross-country skis and snowshoes will not be available to borrow or rent.
BONUS:Â 2025 NEW YEAR'S DEALS
In the spirit of expanding friluftsliv opportunities throughout our region, we at Expedition Detroit are also proud to announce our 2025 "New Year's Deals" for our guided services! More information will be released in the coming week, but here are the highlights of our current deals:
SNOWSHOE TREKS PRESALE:Â Use discount code "SNOWDANCE25" to save 10%Â on any of our planned snowshoe treks!
BUNDLE AND SAVE:Â Use discount code "NEWYEARBUNDLE" to save 20% on any of our EXPEDITION BUNDLESÂ of curated guided trips.
FREE BEANIE: In honor of 2025, the first 25 participants to book a guided trip will receive a free Expedition Detroit beanie with their booking!
These offerings are only available through January 31st, so we hope that you will kick off your New Year with us as we continue exploring the beautiful parks and trails surrounding Detroit!
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH A GUIDED SNOWSHOE TREK!
PRESALE IS LIVE NOWÂ WITH SPECIAL OFFERINGS FOR EARLY BOOKINGS!
Happy New Year to you all, and wishing you nothing but the best throughout 2025. We can’t wait to see you at the trailhead!
Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.
Thanks for the mention of the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic cross country ski races this weekend! 😀