The Winter Olympics may be three years away, but that does not mean people need to give up on an Olympic experience, The Winter Sports Complex in Muskegon offers the public a luge experience no matter the season.
Under lease from the State of Michigan, the Winter Sports Complex has been open for 35 years. While locals have long enjoyed the benefits of year-round activities at the state park, the complex has built upon Michigan’s cold weather reputation. Muskegon especially has consistent winter average temperatures below freezing and an average snowfall of 76 inches.
The luge track and lighted cross country (x-c) ski trails were first established on the site in 1984, said Winter Sports Complex director Jim Rudicil.
“In 1994 complex volunteers with the help of the DNR began leveling the ground and installing water lines to begin building a small ice rink for ice skating,” he explained. The ice rink was an immediate hit and expanded a little each year to what it is now today - boasting two acres of ice skating space for both recreational ice skating as well as pick up hockey games.”
These ice skating opportunities remains one of the complex’s biggest draws, with the quarter mile ice skating trail through the woods also popular.
But the luge track also attracts its share of attention. It is one of only four tracks in the United States.
Luge is a fast-paced winter sport in which participants ride a toboggan-like sled in a supine or laying down position. It was added to the Olympics competition in 1964.
“We consider it to be the most publicly accessible as we teach over 500 people a week the sport of luge at the Muskegon Track,” Rudicil tells The Buzz. “The thrill and beauty of our track is it has many of the same elements of an Olympic track but packed into 1/8 the size and at more manageable speeds for beginners.”
Top speeds on the Muskegon track are about 25-30 mph while an Olympic track will push speeds of over 80 mph, Rudicil explained.
Those new to the sport but wanting to get that Olympic thrill can learn how to from trained staff. The complex’s Learn To Luge Experience is 2.5 hours long and is limited to 30 people per session. It costs $49 to $60 depending on time and day selected.
Luging (without ice) in the summer at the winter sports complex. [Photo/ Muskegon Winter Sports Complex]
The first part of the session is approximately 10 minutes of general instruction and getting fitted with the proper safety gear which consists of a helmet and elbow pads.
“Next up participants begin sliding and hone their luge skills by taking 3-4 practice runs before we host a race for that session,” he explained. “Top finishers in each session will receive their moment of glory atop our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medal podiums where they are adorned with their respective Gold, Silver or Bronze medal.”
Even if winter is months away, the complex offers an adapted luge experience through the Summer Adventures program held on weekends in the summer.
Participants in the summer program “luge down our one of a kind fiberglass luge track designed specifically for the warm months using wheels on the same sleds that we use in the winter,” Rudicil said. The fiberglass track was designed and built in Germany by Hans Rinn.”
Next year an added adventure will be offered to visitors. The complex plans to launch the Dual Mega which will launch from high atop of a dune and fly over our winter and summer luge tracks.
Enjoying the outdoor sports offered at the Winter Sports Complex is not only offered to trained athletes. There are opportunities for the beginner as well.
“We have all the equipment for both beginners and expert,” Rudicil said. “At the skating rinks we have push bar trainers for beginning skaters to hold onto while getting their balance on skates. At the ski trail head our staff is happy to give a quick technique lessons for beginners who are either snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.”
In addition how-to videos are available for viewing on the website.
The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex is located within Muskegon State Park. It is located on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.
“Our facility leases approximately 400 acres of pristine parkland to accommodate our snow and ice sport venues,” Rudicil said. “We have something for everyone and we work hard to make it a stimulating natural experience traversing some of the most unique dune terrain in Western Michigan. A great place to get lost in skiing or snowshoeing at Lost Lake. Lost Lake is a interdunal pond that is an ecosystem rare into itself.”
Camping is available across the street from the complex at the Lake Michigan Campground or at the Muskegon State Park Campground, both of which are operated by the state Department of Natural Resources. The state park campground is open April through October. Winter camping is open for the season at the Lake Michigan Campground.
These sites all have electric on site, modern showers and a fill/dump station. Some of these campsites accommodate up to 50 amp service. The Lake Michigan Campground is open all year around and has electric and vault toilets in the winter.
The relationship between the state park, which was established in 1923, and the Winter Sports Complex is mutually beneficial, said Park supervisor Gregory Sherburn. He estimates that the Winter Sports Complex and the state park attract between 900,000 to 1 million visitors each year.
“It is a symbiotic relationship,” Sherburn said. “The DNR and Muskegon State Park have a great working relationship with the Complex. We have always supported each other. The guests to the Park get the opportunity to look and learn about the complex when they are here. During winter, the park gets its most visitors.
“The Complex operates on a $0 lease of the land,” Sherburn explained. “As part of that agreement, any money made after paying operational costs needs to be re-invested in improvements to the facility. Any improvements/structures are then gifted back to the State of Michigan.”
Visitors to the park and those who visit the Winter Sports Complex have access to other activities, even in winter. The park offers sledding, ice fishing and fat tire biking among others. The rest of the year, visitors can utilize the summer luge, archery and trail quest/team building exercises, Sherburn informed.
The Winter Sports Complex also hosts a couple of fun events for the community, including Skate with the Jacks, which gives visitors the chance to ice skate with members of the local professional hockey team.
“Parka and Plates is a progressive trail dinner with live music where participants snowshoe or x-c ski their way through the forest eating a meal course at each station finishing with desert at the main tent with live music and libations,” Rudicil exclaimed.