Super Bowl Sunday alternative: Women's Winter Tour offers fun in the snow

If all this snow has you jazzed and you’re looking for an alternative to Sunday’s Super Bowl, head to Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville this weekend.

It’s headquarters for the 13th annual Women’s Winter Tour, a non-competitive event designed for women of all skill levels in cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and discounted downhill skiing — with a good bit of wine, craft beer, munchies and chocolate on the side.

New this year, participants may try paintball for free or relax in the resort’s Crystal Spa.

Social events are planned on Friday and Saturday leading up to the Winter Tour, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m on wooded 3K, 5K and 10K trail loops.

Participants may sample a selection of regional foods and beverages at stations set up along the way by Right Brain Brewery, Bitchin’ Brew, Crooked Tree Breadworks, Amical, Hanna Bistro, Kilwin’s, R.Hirt, Lil Bo Pub & Grille, Higher Grounds, Mackinaw Brewing Co., Underground Cheesecake Co., and Union Street.

Cost for the Women’s Tour is $35 for those who register online here by Thursday and $45 after February 3. Seniors and teens receive a $10 discount, and children under 12 are $10.

Day of event registration runs from 10 a.m. to noon.

Tour participants will receive $10 off downhill ski passes for Saturday and/or Sunday, and free snowshoe demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the weekend.

Crystal Mountain offers Women’s Winter Tour participants who stay for two nights a third night free, and drink deals will be available at resort restaurants throughout the weekend.

For each woman who stays at Crystal, the resort also will donate $3 to Active Women Now Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps needy women, says Kaye Krapohl, who directs the organization and the event.

Check Crystal Mountain here