Top Off Your Holiday Break At A Local Metropark

DETROIT (CW50) This is the final week of holiday break for most students -- and parents -- so don't let it go to waste.

Take advantage of great cross-country skiing conditions during this holiday break at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, where groomed trails and ski rentals help you glide your way to better health for 2013.

"Our 26 miles of trails are groomed and ready for skate-style and classic-style cross-country skiing," said Adam Haberkorn, who heads up ski trail grooming services at Huron Meadows Metropark.

Cross-country skis, boots and poles can be rented for a half day (four hours) for only $10 at Hudson Mills, Huron Meadows, Kensington, Stony Creek and Willow Metroparks weekdays during the holiday break, and weekends, as snow conditions allow.

Cross-country ski trails will be open, as conditions allow, at Hudson Mills, Huron Meadows, Indian Springs, Kensington, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Lower Huron, Oakwoods, Stony Creek and Willow Metroparks.  Groomed trails will be set for classic cross-country skiing. Huron Meadows Metropark is one of a few parks in southeast Michigan that grooms separate trails for skate-style as well as classic cross-country skiing. Check for trail conditions, ski rental information and more at www.metroparks.com.

Sledding hills are located at Indian Springs, Kensington, Lake Erie, Stony Creek and Willow Metroparks.  Toboggans can be used on designated hills at Stony Creek and Willow Metroparks or the toboggan runs at Kensington Metropark. Snowboards are allowed only on designated hills at Stony Creek and Kensington Metroparks. The twin toboggan runs at Kensington are expected to be open Friday, December 27.

Snowshoes can be rented from the Oakwoods Nature Center for $5 per person for three hours. The nature centers hours are 1 pm – 5 pm weekdays and 10 am – 5 pm weekends.

Located along the Huron and Clinton rivers, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks provide a natural oasis from urban and suburban life as well as year-round recreational activities and events. A regional park system, the Metroparks consist of 13 beautiful parks covering 25,000 acres, ten spectacular public golf courses and two marinas on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, respectively. The parks also offer scenic nature trails, breathtaking beaches, educational activities and exciting winter sports.

A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $25 annually for regular admission, $15 annually for seniors, or $5 daily. General information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.