Lanterns light the way along the trail near the Peshekee River on a recent nighttime snowshoe hike. Van Riper State Park will host lantern-lit snowshoe hikes throughout this winter. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)

MARQUETTE — One way to get through the winter doldrums, other than hibernating inside your home watching television reruns, is to find a way to have fun with activities that involve snow.

Even if they take place at night. In fact, that might be a more poetic and aesthetic setting.

A good start might be taking part in a lantern-lit snowshoe hike at Van Riper State Park. The park, located at 861 County Road AKE in Champion, will host the event from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 12.

Other hikes at Van Riper are scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9 and 7 to 9 p.m. March 16.

The 1.25-mile Van Riper snowshoe trail begins seven/tenths of a mile west of the main campground entrance at the rustic Peshekee Cabin.

Although snowshoeing — being the active pastime that it is — can keep the participant warm, there will be a fire to warm up by inside the cabin along with snacks, coffee and hot cocoa.

Melanie Brand, accounting assistant at the park who also is spearheading the event, said the lantern-lit hike offers a serene setting, with 100 lanterns set up.

“A lot of people snowshoe during the day, so it has a whole different atmosphere,” Brand said.

There will be a limited number of snowshoes available for loan. Since there is limited parking for the popular event, carpooling is recommended.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into Michigan state parks.

For details, contact Van Riper State Park at 906-339-4461.

Since dates occasionally change and events may be canceled due to inclement weather and other reasons, people should call the park to confirm the times and dates prior to their arrival.

Snowshoeing events aren’t limited in the area to Van Riper State Park.

There will be a guided snowshoe hike at the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve in Negaunee Township on Jan. 19.

Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy Executive Director Andrea Denham will lead the excursion where participants can learn about the UPLC’s plans for the future of the reserve.

The UPLC is steward of the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve, a working forest with a diverse ecosystem open to the public for passive recreation during daylight hours. Non-firearm hunting is allowed with written permission from the UPLC.

Denham said snowshoers will go past a small unnamed waterfall on Midway Creek, depending on snow conditions.

“It’s a beautiful hike,” Denham said. “It’ll take people ‘over the river and through the woods.'”

Those woods, she noted, include various types of forestland.

“It’s a fairly easy terrain,” Denham said. “There’s lots of rolling hills, up and down.”

Another bonus for snowshoers going on the Jan. 19 trek is that since leaves have fallen off trees, people can see into valley along Midway Creek, she said.

Participants are to meet at the end of Brickyard Road where they will put on their shoes and begin the hike at about 1 p.m. Denham said if Brickyard Road isn’t plowed, there will be a shuttle to and from the nearby Lowe’s parking lot in Marquette Township.

“Hopefully it will be a nice sunshiny day. We’ll go out no matter what the weather is,” said Denham, who noted the event would be rescheduled in the event of blizzard conditions. In that case, an announcement would be made on the UPLC Facebook page or on its calendar on its website at uplandconservancy.org.

The hike will involve several miles out and back on a pre-packed route, so snowshoers will be back to their cars by 3:30 p.m. It’s recommended hikers bring water and a snack, and dress in layers appropriate for the weather.

Anyone who doesn’t have snowshoes may rent pairs from Northern Michigan University’s Outdoor Recreation Center for $10 per day.

Care to learn more about fat bikes, which are bicycles with oversized tires designed for riding on surfaces such as snow or sand?

The Fat-Ish Weekend is set for Saturday at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming and Sunday at the HOB, or RAMBA Trailhead, near Ishpeming. RAMBA stands for the Range Area Mountain Bike Association, a nonprofit trail organization.

Saturday’s events include beginner, intermediate and advanced races as well as a free tube slide.

Sunday’s events include fat bike demonstrations, a RAMBA appreciation event and bonfire. and a group ride.

For details, visit fat-ish.com.

Have a dog, a pair of cross-country skis and a desire to use them both at the same time? The Noquemanon Skijor Club is hosting Skijor Nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through March 26 at the Noquemanon Trail Network’s Forestville Trailhead in Marquette Township.

Skijorers of all skill levels are welcome, and equipment is available to rent for beginners. Participants are asked to bring a headlamp since trails are not lighted.

For more information visit the club’s Facebook page or noquetrails.org/skijoring.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.