new snow, fog and sunrise by Latitude45

As snow arrives (which it did with a vengeance in the southern part of Michigan yesterday), Michiganders divide into two camps: those wishing they could hit the road for Florida and those readying their snow gear for all that winter has to offer. Here at Absolute Michigan we (mostly) fall into the latter camp and are psyched up to get out and enjoy Michigan's frozen fun!

A decade ago, an internet magazine we published called The Northern Michigan Journal featured Nature Baroque: Snowflakes & Crystals, an excerpt from It's Raining Frogs & Fishes by Michigan author Jerry Dennis with illustrations by Glenn Wolff that begins: What child can resist tasting snowflakes? Head back, mouth open, tounge stretched to catch that bit of coldness--for children, snowflakes on the tongue are as essential to a northern winter as sleds and snowmen. It's a fantastic tour of what snow is - be sure to read it!

Back in February of 2006, Michigan Tech students set 3 snow-related records: largest snowball, most snow angels and biggest snowball fight! The record attempts are part of an ongoing battle between Houghton and Bismark, ND (who has since reclaimed the snow angel record) They know a thing or two about snow in the Keweenaw as the peninsula holds the record for annual snowfall in Michigan with 355.90" in 1978-79.

A number of Michigan Snow Cams give you the current live look at snow and weather around the state. Almost everywhere in Michigan you can find a hill that offers great sledding, and the Michigan Sled Riding Forum seeks to provide locations and will let you add yours! If there's no hill and you're somewhat insane, you could learn how to ultimate sled from the pros.

Further up the evolutionary chain from tobaggon and car-towed sled are snowmobiles, and Michigan offers some of the finest snowmobiling in the nation. Every February, Sault Ste. Marie hosts the I-500 Snowmobile Race. This year is the 40th annual and you can watch a quick I-500 video to get an idea of what it's like.

Of course there is always the good old standbys of cross-country & downhill skiing and snowboarding, check out our Michigan Ski Tour. Downhill or cross county skiing not enough for you? Check out the backcountry telemark Skiing in Leelanau County.

For beautiful pictures of snow in Michigan check out snow photos (slideshow) in the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr. There's little doubt we missed a shovel or two of Michigan snow info - let us know what in the comments!

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