The Homestead Resort Blog

News and Events from the Sleeping Bear Dunes

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Win a Northern Michigan Ski Getaway & More in The Homestead’s 2012 Winter Sweepstakes

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
The Village at The Homestead

The Village at The Homestead

Northern Michigan is the place to go for a winter getaway. Couples and families can enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing in beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes country. For those who are not snow sports enthusiasts’, winter is still a wonderful time to head up north for a fabulous dinner, day at the spa or salon, or to enjoy a fitness class or private workout.  The Homestead is making it a little easier for couples and families to get away by giving away 25 prizes every week for twelve weeks in the $84,000 Winter Sweepstakes and two grand prizes in the final two weeks of the contest.

 Family Skiers on Bay Mountain

Twenty five prizes vary are awarded each week until the final two weeks of the contest. There are romantic ski weekends that including lodging, lift tickets and a spa service. Other prizes include lift tickets and lunch for six couples and for a family of six. There are two ski weekends that include lodging and lift tickets, one for a family of four and one for a family of six. For those who like a little pampering, there is a “You’re Pampered” prize that includes a sugar scrub and warm bamboo massage at Spa Amira, and a “You’re Beautiful” prize that includes a hair cut and style with a manicure and pedicure at Lillyjade Salon.

Two grand prizes will be awarded in the last two weeks of the Winter Sweepstakes. One lucky person will win a ski season pass good for the 2012-2013 winter season and one lucky family will win season ski passes for the entire family for next year’s ski season.

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Click Logo to Enter to Win on Facebook

Participants can enter twice, once on Facebook and once on The Homestead’s Winter Sweepstakes website page or through the mail. Entering in both places increases the chances of winning. Once entered, participants are eligible to win in any of the weekly drawings. Entering the sweepstakes using more than one email address will disqualify the entrant. Read the Winter Sweepstakes Rules on our website for a complete list of the contest rules. Weekly winners will be posted on The Homestead Sweepstakes Weekly Winners web page as well as on Facebook, Twitter and now, on Google+.  Enter today!

 
Blog by Ileana Habsburg-Snyder

Bay Mountain Ski Conditions at The Homestead (12/20/11)

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

 

Snow Making on Bay Mountain at The Homestead

Snow Making on Bay Mountain -12/20/11 (Photo by Ileana Habsburg-Snyder)

December 20, 2011

As the Christmas Holiday approaches most Midwest winter enthusiasts plan to spend time carving turns on the snow covered hills of Northern Michigan.  However, an unseasonably mild fall left many of those black diamonds more green than white.  In fact, less than 2 inches of natural snowfall has been reported in Leelanau County to date with very little snow in the long term forecast. 

Fortunately, The Homestead has state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities and a crew of snow makers who have been and continue to make snow whenever temperatures permit. 

 Two weeks ago our crew logged over 100 hours of continuous snow making which blanketed some of our marquee trails at Bay Mountain.  After a week of mild temperatures, the crew was able to start up the snow machines at 5 am Tuesday morning (December 20, 2011) and have been making snow ever since.  Snow making will continue as the temperatures permit with the goal of opening as much terrain as possible on December 26th

Snow Making on Purple Clover Run at The Homestead

Snow Making on Purple Clover - 12/20/11 (Photo by Ileana Habsburg-Snyder)

The early indications for skiing and riding during the holidays will be man-made, machine groomed.  The available terrain for skiing and riding will be limited.  At this time, we anticipate having one chair lift and one surface lift (Magic Carpet) open on December 26th and 2-3 trails with the hope of opening more skiable terrain as the holiday week progresses.  

For up-to-date information on snow and trail conditions visit our website Snow Report web page. 

We have an exciting array of winter lodging packages for the not only the outdoor enthusiast who likes to ski or ride, but also for those who need a relaxing getaway. Enjoy lodging packages that include dining, spa massage, salon services and more. Special Resort Offers webpage for a complete list.

 

Snow Making on the Back of Bay Mountain at The Homestead

Snow Making on Back of Bay Mountain - 12/20/11 (Photo by Ileana Habsburg-Snyder)

 

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or New Years With Us!

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

 

Stay Free on New Year's Eve at The Homestead

Come to Northern Michigan for the holidays to enjoy a winter getaway in Sleeping Bear Dunes country. Ski or snowboard on Bay Mountain with spectular views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. Cross country ski or snowshoe in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, our neighbor to the north and south. Dine in one our our resort restaurants. Pamper yourself at Spa Amira with a massage, nail treatment or body treatment. Workout in our fitness center and then head to our new beauty salon for a hair cut, manicure and pedicure. Enjoy warm and welcoming accommodations at one of four resort hotels or in one of our vacation homes or condominiums.

Stay Free on New Year’s Eve

Stay in any of our resort hotels for two nights and enjoy the third night free! Available December 30th through January 1st. Enjoy New Year’s Eve dinner at Nonna’s; three seatings are available. Advance dinner reservations are encouraged. Call for a reservation at 231.334.5100.

Christmas Lodging Special at The HomesteadHalf-Price Holidays

Celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah with us. Stay in one of our resort hotels for one night and enjoy the second night for half price! Available December 26th – 29th. Call today to book your Christmas or Hanukkah getaway at 231.334.5100.

Lift & Lodging Packages – Kids Ski Free 

Ski or snowboard with us this winter on Lake Michigan. Packages include lodging in one of our hotels, breakfast each morning and lift tickets. Kids 17 & under ski free all winter long with a paying adult skier or rider! No blackout dates. Now that’s family friendly. Call 231.334.5100 for a reservation. 

Glide Through Sleeping Bear Dunes – Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

Enjoy stunning scenery while cross country skiing or snowshoeing the trails of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Access the Bay View Trail directly from The Homestead or enjoy other national park trails only minutes from our resort. Package includes two nights’ lodging, breakfast buffet on weekend stays (Saturday and Sunday mornings only), a National Park Pass and 20% off all services at our new salon, Lillyjade. Call 231.334.5100 for a reservation. 

Don’t stay home for the holidays when you can experience the best Northern Michigan has to offer! Visit our Special Resort Offers web page for more winter specials including spa and dining packages. You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy enjoy winter at The Homestead.

 Blog by Ileana Habsburg-Snyder