Mackinac Island XC Ski Trip
For years, I’ve been wanting to fly up to Mackinac Island (KMCD) for a day of cross-country skiing, but the weather has never lined up. Either it’s too warm, and there won’t be enough snow on the island to make it worthwhile, or the weather is too rough for a safe flight there and back, with the additional risk of getting stranded.
The Island in the winter is a completely different experience from the bustling summer season. With no cars allowed, the only ways to get around are by foot, bike, horse-drawn carriage, or in the winter, skis and snowmobiles. The island gets a fair amount of lake-effect snow, and when conditions are right, it offers a scenic ski experience with views you just can’t get anywhere else.
The biggest challenge of planning this trip is the unpredictability of winter flying. Fortunately, KMCD is an airport with a 3,500-foot runway that is plowed regularly since people who live on the island depend on it. Still, landing conditions can be questionable depending on recent snowfall and winds over the Straits of Mackinac can be unpredictable and strong, making for potentially rough approaches. Then there’s also the concern of getting back; weather that looks fine in the morning can deteriorate quickly in the afternoon, making the return trip tricky.
So, when I saw a clear, calm day with temperatures cold enough to keep the snow in good condition, but not so frigid
that it turns the flight into an endurance test, I knew I had to take advantage of it. The plan would be to pack skis,
land at KMCD, and ski right from the
airport into town. From there, the island’s trails would offer a great mix of groomed and ungroomed terrain to explore
before heading back to the plane for the return flight.
Prepping for the Flight
With a possible weather window opening up, I started preparing for the flight. Winter flying comes with its own set of challenges, and I also had to think about keeping the engine warm while on the island. To help with that, I packed an extension cord for an engine preheater and a blanket to trap in any remaining heat from engine.
Fuel was going to be close. I have 38 gallons of usable fuel, and I would need most of that to get to Mackinac Island and back. Careful planning was essential, especially given the limited refueling options in the area and the early sunset.
The flight north was aided by a tailwind, which saved me some time and fuel. As I flew, I had a awesome view of the winter landscape below. Frozen lakes dotted the terrain, and I found myself scanning them for signs of a hockey rink. It took a while to find one, but while doing so, I spotted numerous ice fishing shacks, people walking their dogs on the ice, and even some ice skating trails that had been smoothed out beforehand along the way as I was trying to find my elusive rink.
Along the way, I also got a great look at several ski resorts and rolling hills, their slopes busy with other skiers also making the most of the winter conditions. The scenery was beautiful and there was a stark contrast to the usual summer greens, now replaced with a pristine white blanket of snow stretching as far as I could see.
Arriving at the Island
I didn’t want to spend a lot of time over the lake, so I opted for a straight-in landing at KMCD.
When I arrived, the airport was completely empty—no other planes, no activity. The runway was well-plowed, and to my surprise, there was even a walkway shoveled out so I could easily plug in a power cord at the airport and run the other end to my engine heater. I also strapped a blanket over the engine to keep it warm for the return trip.
The airport in the winter had a totally different feel. Snowmobiles were parked outside in neat rows, and helmets were stored everywhere in an organized fashion. I used the terminal building to change into my ski boots and get everything ready for the trip into town.
There wasn’t a soul on the roads except for one police officer making his rounds in what I believe to be 1/3 trunks on the island. The roads were completely covered in
ice that had been packed down by snowmobiles, making them perfect for skiing. As I glided along, I passed the Grand
Hotel and quickly realized I was going a lot faster than I intended on the slick surface and just had to suck it up and
reach the bottom. There was a lot of ruts in this part of the road because of how busy it was so it wasn’t really
possible to put my skis into a wedge and I just had to skate ski down.
When I finally made it into town, I discovered that the ferry was still running, meaning I wasn’t as isolated as I had originally thought. The docks were bustling with activity as locals unloaded groceries from the boat onto their snowmobiles, ready to haul them home.
Eventually, I found the one place that was open to grab a meal. Inside, I warmed up with a burger and chatted with a few locals about the best ski routes on the island. Throughout my meal, several people came in asking for napkins and Budweisers—a unique combo, but one that, as they joked, could clear out your sinuses and warm your belly at the same time.
Heading Back to the Plane and Flying Home
Taking the bartender’s advice, I skied back using a different route—up the hill past the fort, past the Governor’s Mansion, the cemetery, and finally back to the airport.
Once there, I dipped the tanks and found out that I would have exactly 45 minutes of extra endurance when I got back to KGRR, just 15 minutes over the legal reserve minimum of 30 minutes.
The flight was uneventful, but when you’re low on fuel, or even thinking about it, every decision starts to focus on efficiency, and the flight home became a lot more precise. I found myself making every turn and altitude adjustment with fuel savings in mind.
Adding to the challenge, the cabin heater on the plane wasn’t working properly. It became part of my instrument scan—I’d pull it out and hold it full open for a few minutes to warm up the plane while flying with glove liners.
As I neared KGRR, ATC was vectoring multiple aircraft, and I made the call to inform them of my remaining endurance. They immediately prioritized my arrival, getting me in quickly.
After landing and refueling, I found I had exactly the amount of fuel I had calculated. While chatting with the fuel guy, he mentioned that no one else had been flying that day—confirming just how quiet the skies had been.