MUSKEGON (WWJ) You know skiing, skating and sledding… snowmobiling and snowboarding—
But have you considered ice luging for winter fun at all? You can do so without leaving the Great Lakes State.
SEE VIDEO OF SLEDDING DOWN LUGE TRACK HERE
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park in west Michigan (in Muskegon) is home to only one of four luge tracks in the country.
According to its website; it’s the only kuhnstbahn (German for artificial) track comprised of ice that’s not refrigerated. The 850 foot track was designed by Olympic luge champion Frank Masley.
The park website calls their luge track an “Olympic-level thrill first-time athletes can handle” on a track with six curves and two starting areas.
“Average speed is about 25 miles per hour,” Bill Bailey, Muskegon Sports Adventure Park Manager, told WWJ’s Beth Fisher. “On a really good cold day, when the ice is super hard, you could hit 30 miles per hour. I don’t know if that sounds enough fast to you. But, I tell you, when you’re laying on your back— on the ice, 30 miles per hour is pretty fast.”
Each two and a half hour session starts with a lesson in how to position your body on the luge sled, as well as how to steer and stop. Every participant will also be fitted with a helmet and other safety equipment.
Then, the fun begins.
You must keep your arms and legs straight, and your shoulders back as you slide down the track; park officials say.
At the end, participants are celebrated in a “Olympic-like" awards ceremony.
“It is much like the luge tracks you may have seen when you watch the winter Olympics, but it’s lower speeds and a little easier to navigate…” Bailey said.
Park policy says it's mandatory for everyone who luges to have a health insurance policy and sign a waiver beforehand. Those under the age of 18 must have a parent sign said waiver.
The minimum height requirement is 48” and minimum weight is 65 lbs. There is no maximum.
The park also offers adaptations to the sport so people who have disabilities can enjoy it safely—including those without lower body mobility, or with visual and hearing impairments.
Passes to the luge track range from $35 on Wednesday and Thursday nights, $65 on weekends, and $75 on holidays and holiday weekends (MLK and President’s Day). See refund policy here.
The park also features activities including wheel luge, rock climbing, zip lining, archery, glice skating, traditional winter sports, and more.