The Good Cold — Michigan Winter
Little Traverse Bay North Shore · Town edition

Harbor Springs

An exclusive northern resort village nestled around a deepwater harbor, flanked by legendary ski hills and scenic winter drives.

Overheard in Harbor Springs
Nub's Nob is revered across the Midwest for having some of the most dedicated snowmakers and groomers in the country.
Why winter

Harbor Springs in winter is peaceful, scenic, and deeply tied to elite Midwest skiing. Positioned at the north end of Little Traverse Bay, it offers access to the legendary slopes of Nub's Nob and The Highlands, breathtaking drives along the Tunnel of Trees, and a quiet, upscale downtown village square.

A random Saturday · 01

Nub's Slopes & Main Street Dinners

Spend the day carving pristine powder runs at Nub's Nob, warm up at the Slopeside Lounge, and drive down into Harbor Springs for wood-fired pizza at The Paper Station Bistro.

Or try · 02

Tunnel of Trees Drive & Harbor Pubs

Take a scenic winter drive up the snow-draped M-119 Tunnel of Trees, stop in Cross Village for views of Lake Michigan, and return to Harbor Springs for chowder at Stafford's Punt Pub.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
Make it a weekend

Stay at The Highlands at Harbor Springs, spend the weekend skiing Nub's Nob and The Highlands, and explore downtown Harbor Springs.

One good day

Morning skiing at Nub's Nob, lunch at the lodge, afternoon drive up the Tunnel of Trees, and dinner at The Paper Station Bistro.

Eat · good tables

Order the soup. Then order the pie.

  1. 01

    The Boyne Highlands Main Dining Room

    Classic Slope-Side Resort Dining · $$$

    Hearty alpine dining and classic lodge cuisine overlooking the snowy slopes of The Highlands.

    600 Highland Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-2101 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Stafford's Punt Pub & Pier Restaurant

    Historic Waterfront Dining · $$

    Charming harbor-front tavern serving comforting winter chowders, steaks, and classic pub fare overlooking the frozen harbor.

    250 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-6201 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    The Paper Station Bistro

    Gourmet Wood-Fired Bistro · $$

    Creative wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, and craft beers in a stylish, cozy downtown Harbor Springs setting.

    135 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-7888 · Website ↗

The winter table

What to eat, and how to make it at home.

Eat it at The Paper Station Bistro

Wood-Fired Wild Mushroom Pizza & Craft Ale

Top hand-stretched pizza dough with garlic cream sauce, local wild mushrooms, fontina cheese, and fresh thyme, baked crisp in a wood oven.

Michigan winter
Field note

Main Street Harbor Springs is quiet and elegant, maintaining its historic nautical character through sub-zero months.

Photo hunt

Three things most people walk past.

Harbor Springs City Pier & Main St (250 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740)

  1. Snow-covered wooden sailboats locked in the quiet harbor ice.
  2. Historic brick storefronts along Main Street adorned with evergreen winter wreaths.
  3. The snow-laden canopy of the M-119 Tunnel of Trees arching over the roadway.
A winter tall tale · as told in Harbor Springs

Gangsters under the dance floor

A property outside Harbor Springs once held Club Manitou, linked to Detroit's Purple Gang and Prohibition gambling, and stories of secret tunnels have followed it ever since. Later it became Club Ponytail, a teen music venue that booked the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and the Temptations. The tunnels are still a rumour. The guest list is not.

Where it comes from: the source ↗

Michigan winter
  1. 01

    The Slopeside Lounge at Nub's Nob

    Legendary Ski Taproom · $$

    One of the most storied ski bars in the Midwest. Friendly, energetic, and packed with skiers sharing vertical tall tales.

    5001 N Nub's Nob Rd, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-2131 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    The Punt Pub at Stafford's

    Harbor-View Pub · $$

    Cozy hearthside cocktails overlooking the quiet winter harbor.

    250 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-6201 · Website ↗

After dark · places to land

After nine, in February.

Coffee & breakfast · start here

Coffee, and a seat by the window.

  1. 01

    The Scone & Croissant Cafe

    Coffee & breakfast

    Warm morning coffee, flaky croissants, and fresh scones right on Main Street.

    258 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-9632 · Website ↗

Lake Effect mug
In the pictureLake Effect mugThe first cup of the day, and a forecast you can hold. Harbor Springs mornings run on refills.From the General Store →
Outside · ways out the door

Boots on. Out the door.

  1. 01

    Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding at Nub's Nob

    Outside

    Renowned for elite snow grooming, 53 runs, 9 lifts, and legendary Midwest ski culture.

    5001 N Nub's Nob Rd, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Downhill Skiing at The Highlands (Boyne)

    Outside

    Extensive vertical terrain, terrain parks, cross-country skiing, and dog-sledding experiences.

    600 Highland Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · Website ↗

  3. 03

    Nub's Nob Rental Shop

    Rent the gear

    Complete downhill ski, snowboard, and cross-country packages

    5001 N Nub's Nob Rd, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · Website ↗

Two-tone cap
In the pictureTwo-tone capFor the drive up, before the hat-hair matters.From the General Store →
Field note

Taking a cautious, slow-speed winter drive up the M-119 Tunnel of Trees to admire ice formations along the bluffs.

Michigan winter
Local custom

Stopping at The Slopeside Lounge at Nub's Nob after last chair to swap stories with generational skiers.

Local customs
  • Taking a cautious, slow-speed winter drive up the M-119 Tunnel of Trees to admire ice formations along the bluffs.
  • The Tunnel of Trees in winter offers otherworldly silence as snow blankets the dense hardwood canopy.
  • Main Street Harbor Springs is quiet and elegant, maintaining its historic nautical character through sub-zero months.
On the calendar · 2026–27

Put it on the fridge.

Circle it

Late November through December weekends

Nub's Nob Opening & Holiday Ski Fest

Celebrated opening weekend celebrations, torchlight parades, and pristine snow grooming.

Organizer ↗

Circle it

First Friday in December

Harbor Springs Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House

Organizer ↗

Dates come from organizers and change. Check before you drive.

Michigan winter
Michigan winter
  1. 01

    The Highlands at Harbor Springs (Boyne)

    Premier Alpine Resort Hotel · $$$$

    World-class alpine resort offering extensive downhill skiing, cross-country trails, spa services, and luxurious slope-side accommodations.

    600 Highland Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-2101 · Website ↗

  2. 02

    Stafford's Pointer Room & Inn

    Boutique Harbor Inn · $$$

    Charming harbor-front inn offering timeless up-north hospitality and lovely bay views.

    250 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740 · (231) 526-6201 · Website ↗

Stay · places to wake up

A warm bed at the end of it.

Nobody’s Going Out tea
In the pictureNobody’s Going Out teaLoose-leaf, for the evening the group chat agrees to stay in.From the General Store →
Bring a little Harbor Springs homeFirst Shovel coffeeBrewed before the driveway, finished after it.Have a look ↗
We checked

boynehighlands.com · nubsnob.com · paperstationbistro.com · staffords.com

Good to know: M-119 Tunnel of Trees is unplowed in certain remote sections during active winter storms; check road status before driving north.

Reviewed October 2026. Hours, prices and dates move; call ahead in January and February.