The Mackinac Blog

Mission Point Resort – New Year’s Eve 2012/13 on Mackinac Island – From $129 per night

NEW YEARS EVE ON MACKINAC ISLAND
New Years Eve Weekend from $129 per night!

Bringing in the New Year on Mackinac Island is quite an adventure.  Mission Point opens the Straits Lodge for travelers who want to bring in the new year by getting away from it all. A complimentary continental breakfast will be available for guests each morning in the Johnson Hall Lobby of the Straits Lodge.

Available the nights of December 28-31, 2012 only. Reservation will be charged a 100% deposit at the time of booking, and cancellations must occur at least two weeks in advance.

Book Now


PLEASE NOTE: You are renting one of our guest rooms with no services. This is not the full Mission Point Resort experience that is available in the summer. The room will be made up and waiting for your arrival, but please know that there are no hotel services, resort activities, or resort dining options during this stay. Restaurants are available in town.

Visit Mission Point Resort Website >>>>

 
 

Mackinac Island Ice Bridge to St. Ignace – 2011

The bitter cold temperatures of mid-January have brought to the residents of Mackinac Island the blessing of an ice bridge for the winter of 2011. We heard reports of early crossings via The Quilted Turtle blog and on Monday evening 9&10 News broadcast a story – complete with video clips of snowmobiles dragging Christmas trees across the snow – on the 2011 Ice Bridge.

Photo at right is from March 2009

Disclaimer: If you plan to cross from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island, please remember that the ice is never 100 per cent “safe” – even during the middle of winter. If you do not have any experience of traveling on the ice, make sure that you consult with someone with local knowledge who understands the risks.

The Quilted Turtle – Ice!
The first group of islanders crossed the ice this morning, driving the three or so miles from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace. They went slowly and stopped to spud as they went – finding between three and five inches of ice.

Ice Bridge Connects Mackinac Island to St. Ignace – 9&10 News – 1/24/2011
An ice bridge recently formed across the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Mackinac Island to St. Ignace. A group marked a path with trees Sunday. Besides a charter plane, the ice bridge is the only way to get off the island in the winter.

Ice Bridge – Mackinac Island’s Hidden Season (DVD)
Check out what it’s all about on this incredibly wonderful DVD by islanders Mark Rensel and Jenifer Silvernale. Get your copy here: http://ow.ly/3JrHj

 
 

New Year’s Eve on Mackinac Island!

New Year’s Eve December 31, 2010
Spending New Year’s Eve on Mackinac Island is a blast. Snow falling, great live music, amazing food, dancing, and loads of laughing…its the simple things that make life memorable. Come join us.

Accommodations:
Mission Point Resort
www.missionpoint.com
800-833-7711
a 15 minute walk from downtown

Bogan Lane Inn
www.boganlaneinn.com
906-847-3439
two blocks from downtown

Harbor Place Studio Suites
www.harborplacestudiosuites.com
800-626-6304
located downtown next to Shepler’s Ferry

Pontiac Lodge
www.pontiaclodge.com
906-847-3364
located downtown across from Shepler’s Ferry

Park Place Suites
www.mackinacislandparkplacesuites.com
(906) 847-8194
located downtown on Market Street across from the Post Office

Sunset Condos (Up Island…ski in- ski out)
www.mackinacresorts.com
(906) 847-3407
most condos are located on the Stonecliffe Estate about a mile and a half from downtown. Perfect for xx skiers. Also inquire about the spacious Harbor Suite downtown on the Star Line Ferry dock.

Dining
Village Inn of Mackinac
906-847-3542
A traditional New Year’s dinner of Surf and Turf at the VI, reservations suggested.Pianist John Kissane performs during dinner and DJ Brevin takes on the night.

Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub
906-847-8255
Chef Shane Moore puts on a gourmet menu. The Thunder Chiefs feat. Mary McGuire, Gary Rasmussen and Nino Dmytryszyn kick out the jams after 10pm.

Mustang Lounge
906-847-9916
Always into the revelling spirit, the Mustang creates a great menu. Tricky Dicky and the Spoonmen play some great college rock for the dance crowd.

Goodfellows Italian Chophouse
906-847-0260
(tentative opening, please call to confirm)

Getting Here:
Arnold Line Ferry from St. Ignace
Arnold Transit Company
906-847-3351

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry from St. Ignace
Shepler’s Ferry
(906) 643-9440

From Mackinac County Airport in St. Ignace
Great Lakes Air
906-643-7165
Round Trip between St. Ignace and Mackinac Island
$27 per person each way, kids 12 and under $13.50 each way
(2 fare minimum)

For More Info Visit Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau Website >>>>

 
 

Take A Winter Holiday on Mackinac Island

(Note: Spoke with the Arnold Transit Co. and the last Arnold Ferry passenger service to Mackinac Island was yesterday, January 7, 2010 – They were unable to get through the ice out of St. Ignace today (January 8, 2010) – It’s Great Lakes Air (906-643-7165) now for winter travel to the island (until the ice bridge forms)

UPDATE: Spoke with Arnold Line( again) and they said definitely no service today (January 8, 2010) – they also said odds are against any more passenger service this year unless there is a significant change in the conditions of the ice. However, anything can happen – check for updates on their website or call Arnold Transit Co. at 1-800-542-8528)

Looks like a perfect weekend to take a break from shopping at the malls and ride the Arnold ferry over to Mackinac Island. The snowy start to December has established a nice base for the the cross country ski trails and the word is the ski club groomers have been out smoothing the trails.

You can take an early ferry to the island fly Great Lakes Air (906-643-7165), ski the trails, have lunch at the Village Inn or the Mustang or Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub and catch the last ferry flight back to the mainland. You can be even more adventurous and fly Great Lakes Air to the island from St. Ignace. You can get off the plane and ski right from the airport terminal on the island.

Of course, if you want to make a weekend of your Mackinac Island winter holiday, you can find a cozy room (or suite) at one of hotels or bed & breakfast inns that remain open during the winter months. THE PONTIAC LODGE has been the mainstay of winter lodging over the years. BOGAN LANE INN BED & BREAKFAST also welcomes winter visitors to the island. This year THE COTTAGE INN will also be open from December 18, 2009 through February 21, 2010.

Here is a list of more lodging, dining and ferry services with phone numbers.

We are working on getting some photos of this year’s snow on the ski trails. If you are lucky enough get out on the island please post some photos on the Mackinac Island fan page: Just Click Here and Post Your Photos

However, in the meantime below are some photos from last March. (Note: The ice bridge in the photos does not form until January at the earliest.) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

(Click on photos for slideshow view)

 
 

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