The snow is flying, and it’s time for the second annual 3-Fires ski weekend at Otsego Resort in Gaylord Michigan!  Last year was a blast, and this year we planned much further in advance and got a better deal!  This year we have 26 rooms blocked off (sold out!  You can still try for a room not in the block) in the Tyrol Lodge for the weekend of February 10-12, 2017.  These rooms will go quickly, so book now!  We were able to get great rates, much better than any other resort up north.

Otsego is a private club with a ski area that is pretty nice (compares to Boyne Highlands).  There are never any lines, and it is very safe (no public is allowed).  There is sledding, skating, lots of terrain, snow-shoe hiking, fire pits, large game room, babysitting, ski lessons, and much more.  You can rent skis or board if you need to, and there is a pro-shop if you need to buy anything.  Make your reservations now by calling 989-732-5181, and telling the front desk clerk that you are part of the “Three Fires Longhouse Group”.  Make sure you reserve for the weekend of February 10-12, 2017.  If you prefer to have a room that opens out into the common area, ask for a room in the “Tyrol Tunnel” part of the lodge (there are only 12 rooms in this area of the lodge, so act fast).

Rooms will be $148/night including tax and fees.  Rooms are typically two queen beds, so plenty big for each family (or two dads and two kids sharing).  If you don’t mind a tight squeeze, you can fit 6 to a room if you are ok with two of the kids sleeping on air mattresses or in sleeping bags on the floor.

Food will be on your own – – bring food, or use one of the restaurants on site.  You can purchase breakfast vouchers when you check in for $10 each (buffet is awesome, so this is a good deal).  We will probably collect from everyone interested, and get pizza in the common area for Sat night.

Cost for ski tickets are relatively cheap compared to other places up north:  Adult for 1 day $66.00, 2 day $100.00;  Teen (13-17) 1 day $54.00, 2 day $99.00;  Juniors (9-12) 1 day $47.00, 2 day $85.00;  Kids (8 & under) $5.00.

This is a family weekend, so bring the entire family!  Reserve now, because space is limited!

Schedule for the weekend:

The schedule for the weekend is as follows (pick and choose the events you will attend):

Friday Feb 10:

Noon:  Check-in any time after noon at the Main Lodge.

2pm-8:30pm:  Lifts open.  Ski or hang out in front of one of the fireplaces in the Main Lodge or go for a snow-shoe hike on one of the trails.

6pm-9pm:  Dinner is on your own.  Eat on-site at the Duck Blind Grill (Main Lodge) or go into town.

9pm:  Dads get-together at “The Logmark”, just steps away from the Tyrol Lodge.

Sat Feb 11:

7am-9am:  Breakfast at the Duck Blind Restaurant in the Main Lodge (Great buffet – – buy $10 vouchers with your room).  Or eat on your own in your room.

9am-8:30pm:  Lifts open.  Ski or hang out in front of one of the fireplaces in the Main Lodge or go for a snow-shoe hike on one of the trails.

Noon:  Lunch is on your own.  Go back to your room or buy lunch at the “River Cabin” at the base of Lift 5 (roaring fire, food and beverages)

2pm:  3-Fires Hot chocolate party and group pic at the fire-pit at the base of Lift 5 (Free, Sponsored by Otsego)

4:30pm-6pm:  Sledding at the Tow-Rope Hill.  Don’t let the kids miss this, it is a blast!!  Bring your own sled, or use one of the “gently used sleds” available on-site.  Parents participate, or watch from the Logmark balcony overlooking the hill.

7pm:  3-Fires Pizza Party at Tyrol Lodge (Free, sponsored by the 3-Fires Council)

9pm:  Dads get-together at “The Logmark”, just steps away from the Tyrol Lodge

Sun Feb 12:

7am-9am:  Breakfast at the Duck Blind Restaurant in the Main Lodge (Great buffet – – buy $10 vouchers with your room).  Or eat on your own in your room.

9am-4:30pm:  Lifts open.  Ski or hang out in front of one of the fireplaces in the Main Lodge or go for a snow-shoe hike on one of the trails.

Noon:  Lunch is on your own.  Go back to your room or buy lunch at the “River Cabin” at the base of Lift 5 (roaring fire, food and beverages)

Afternoon:  Depart back to Detroit with exhausted kids sleeping the entire way!

Google Map

Please join us for Family Skate Night Sunday January 22 5:15pm to 7:15pm at Skate World of Troy 2825 E Maple Rd Troy, MI 48083. Three Fires Longhouse will have private use of Skate World during this time. There will be no charge for admission, $3 skate rental, $5 inline skate rental, or bring your own. Please feel free to invite a guest.

Winter Campout will be at YMCA Camp Storer located in Jackson, MI which by far has the nicest lodging of any of the YMCA camps (Camp Storer Web Page).  Each lodge has 4 bunk wings and a large common area with seating and a fire place.  We are asking that you register as soon as possible so we can get an accurate headcount and secure a third lodge like last year.  The cost per person is $80.00 for the weekend.

The Snow Snake Race is back for 2017 and it looks like we will have snow this year!  Attached is the official snow snake regulations and build guidelines.

If you’ve got any questions about camping, check out our Camping page for more information.

Next Meeting 9.12.16 7:30 Barn

Circle Bridge can be opened for registration.  Annual Dues per family $115.  Fall Camp $85 per person

Circle bridge will need to have option to select child T-shirt size which is going to be included as part of registration.

Mike O’Connor offered to look into places to order shirts from at August 15th meeting have not received Feedback

Ted Hayden also looking into t-shirt vendor

Scott Kolarchick to contact Jay from National to see if t-shirts can be included as co-op reimbursement

Patch Budget set at $750 for the year

Yearbook budget set at $500 requested to have yearbook for NOPT

Brian Bastien sending contract and deposit to Storer for Winter Campout

Yard signs/Banners order 12 new signs and banners

Who has the current yard signs?  No one in attendance had signs

Ken Budry contacting school district in regards to homecoming parades

Ted Hayden looking into option of renting table at Troy Days 9/15-9/18

Fritz confirming with Beachwood use of club of NOPT on 9.23

Steve Stinson contacting Camp Hayowentha about Spring Campout

 

 

All members of the 3 Fires Longhouse are invited to the Beachwood Recreation Association Pool for an End of the Year Party.

Come hang out, relax, enjoy some ice cream and snacks and a cool dip in the pool!

The party is on June 12, from 1:00-3:00 PM.  Hope to see you there!

Beachwood Recreation Association

3365 Jack Drive, Troy, MI 48084 (map)

Troy Nature Center is having their annual Invasive Plant Removal and Spring Cleanup.  We are registered to participate as a group on April 30th, 12-3 PM  Anyone interested in participating should RSVP with Scott Kokarchick at kolarchi@hotmail.com.

From their website:

 

 

This May, join us at YMCA Camp Timbers in West Branch for our Winter camp-out. We will be there the May 13-15.  Space is limited to the first 160 people and the spring camp-out is typically the largest, so register as soon as possible.

You can register at the Circlebridge site.  Early sign-up helps us get an accurate head count.

If you’ve got any questions about camping, check out our Camping page for more information.

Available for pre-order on Circlebridge now until Jan 3rd, our limited edition “Winter 2016” embroidered knit hat. This one size fits all hat won’t be available for purchase once the pre-order closes, so get yours today!