Are you up for an adventure? 500 miles of thrills, spills, and chills are waiting for you at the 49th International 500 Endurance Snowmobile Race always the first Saturday in February. The I-500, as locals call it, is February’s answer to cabin fever for over 10,000 spectators. For $20 dollars admission you can watch 38 teams race over 100mph through the straightaway for a prize purse worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Did we mention that they race on a one-mile ice oval track? Yes, ice. It takes three weeks, 1.8 million gallons of water, and freezing temperatures to create the track.

You’ve never been, you say? What’s to do, you ask? Between watching the snowmobiles careen around the ice track, you might wander through the Top of the Lake Vintage Snowmobile Show. Sleds representing nearly every decade since the dawn of the snow machine are present. Admission is included with the purchase of a button.

The I-500 race has a tailgate atmosphere filled with festive social spectators. Bring your cooler or purchase food and beverage from the local vendors that line the infield. Join the fun to chase away your winter blues, but remember to dress really warm. You never know what the weather has in store for the Eastern Upper Peninsula during early February.

Truth be told, you can turn your Saturday I-500 Race adventure into a weeklong excursion.

One week before the race join Sault Ste. Marie for the Downtown Winter Ice Festival. Friday and Saturday, January 27-28 watch as ice carvers go head-to-head to chip, chisel, and saw ice creations before your very eyes. 

 

Bundle up and join us for the Downtown Winter Ice Festival January 27&28! Chainsaws, chisels, and blowtorches are the tools of the trade for this fun weekend of frozen art. For more information please visit our profile and click on the link for the full photo blog. #ilovethesoo #puremichigan #puremichigansnowday

A photo posted by Sault CVB (@visitthesault) on Jan 4, 2017 at 4:54pm PST

Monday night bring your ice skates and join in for skating on the smooth one-mile oval track. Tuesday through Thursday afternoons watch as teams practice and jockey for position in time trials. Ramp up Thursday night with the 40 lap Woody’s Challenge Pro-Am Race, followed by the Downtown Pub Crawl.

Friday night cast your vote for the Miss I-500 with your pocketbook; all funds donated to the Pink Ribbon Riders Breast Cancer patient assistance fund. Watch as a new queen is crowned at Kewadin Casino, Hotel, and Convention Center admission is free. 

So pack up the vehicle (and/or sleds) and make your way to Sault Ste. Marie for a day (or week) filled with fun and excitement.