(Note: Spoke with the Arnold Transit Co. and the last Arnold Ferry passenger service to Mackinac Island was yesterday, January 7, 2010 – They were unable to get through the ice out of St. Ignace today (January 8, 2010) – It’s Great Lakes Air (906-643-7165) now for winter travel to the island (until the ice bridge forms)

UPDATE: Spoke with Arnold Line( again) and they said definitely no service today (January 8, 2010) – they also said odds are against any more passenger service this year unless there is a significant change in the conditions of the ice. However, anything can happen – check for updates on their website or call Arnold Transit Co. at 1-800-542-8528)

Looks like a perfect weekend to take a break from shopping at the malls and ride the Arnold ferry over to Mackinac Island. The snowy start to December has established a nice base for the the cross country ski trails and the word is the ski club groomers have been out smoothing the trails.

You can take an early ferry to the island fly Great Lakes Air (906-643-7165), ski the trails, have lunch at the Village Inn or the Mustang or Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub and catch the last ferry flight back to the mainland. You can be even more adventurous and fly Great Lakes Air to the island from St. Ignace. You can get off the plane and ski right from the airport terminal on the island.

Of course, if you want to make a weekend of your Mackinac Island winter holiday, you can find a cozy room (or suite) at one of hotels or bed & breakfast inns that remain open during the winter months. THE PONTIAC LODGE has been the mainstay of winter lodging over the years. BOGAN LANE INN BED & BREAKFAST also welcomes winter visitors to the island. This year THE COTTAGE INN will also be open from December 18, 2009 through February 21, 2010.

Here is a list of more lodging, dining and ferry services with phone numbers.

We are working on getting some photos of this year’s snow on the ski trails. If you are lucky enough get out on the island please post some photos on the Mackinac Island fan page: Just Click Here and Post Your Photos

However, in the meantime below are some photos from last March. (Note: The ice bridge in the photos does not form until January at the earliest.) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

(Click on photos for slideshow view)