Nordic Ski Blog

The Cross Country Ski areas that comprise the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council are committed to providing you with the finest and most diversified groomed cross-country skiing trails, plus service at a level that we’re sure will meet your expectations. There will always be good cross country skiing somewhere among our member facilities, and all our members will make sure you’re accurately informed about the latest cross country trail conditions.

For Complete Information Please Visit the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council Website

We promise to do our best to produce the best cross country trail and ski conditions we can. When Mother Nature has Winter keep her snowy promise, so will we.

SNOW IS IN THE FORECAST!!!!!!
This weekend the weather looks to be messy with rain and early snow. This is the BEST time of the season to get outside get yourself in condition by SKI WALKING on the finest cross country skiing trail system in the US!!! see the SKI WALKING LINK ON OUR LINKS PAGE!!!!!

Come north for the weekend and please call the resort of your choice to make sure of the conditions because they will be changing continuously over the next few days. Aside from MOTHER NATURE KEEPING HER PROMISE and bringing us natural snowfall.

STAY TUNED TO WINTER 2006/7

ANOTHER GREAT SEASON 2006/7
Get ouside this winter and see things that you may have missed. After a day or a week in the office a cross country ski loop through the back country with the birds and maybe even a Bald Eagle, will do wonders for you. Fresh air and freedom; give yourself a much brighter outlook. All of the resorts in the Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council will help you to get there. Contact any one of them for immediate help and information. Get out with the family and CROSS COUNTRY SKI.

EVENTS WINTER 2006/7
PLEASE CHECK WITH EACH RESORT’S EVENTS PAGE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE HOSTING THESE EVENTS.

MICHIGAN CUP 2006/2007
Please go to our LINKS
page and click on Michigan
Cup for this year’s schedule.

CHARTER BUSINESS WINTER TRAIL DAY
Jan. 7, 2007 all resorts.
Kids on Snow- FREE LESSONS and Trail Pass.

CHARTER BUSINESS SILVER STREAK WEEK WITH SKI WALKING (55 PLUS)
Jan.8-12, 2007
All Resorts

CHARTER BUSINESS TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE
TRAILS
Jan. 22-26, 2007
All Resorts
2 for 1 Trail Pass Program

THE NOQUEMANON SKI MARATHON
Jan. 27, 2007

WHIE PINE STAMPEDE
Feb. 3, 2007 Shanty Creek

WOMEN’S WINTER TOUR
Feb. 4, 2007

VASA
Feb. 10, 2007

Grand Traverse Classic
Feb. 11, 2007

THE CRYSTAL HIGHLANDER
Feb. 18, 2007 Crystal Mountain

CHARTER BUSINESS WINTER FEAST ADVENTURE DAY
Feb. 24/25, 2007
All Resorts

MUFFIN RACE FOR JUNIORS
Feb. 24-26, 2007 X C Ski Headquarters

GARLAND GALS GETAWAY
Mar. 3-4, 2007

Looking for the best in northern Michigan cross-country skiing trails? Look no further than Crystal Mountain.

From gentle treks through the trees to the rolling terrain of our black diamond cross-country skiing trails, Crystal Mountain’s 40+km cross-country skiing trail network provides terrain for all ability levels, from novice to expert.

Meticulously-groomed for both skating and traditional cross-country skiing, these picturesque northern Michigan cross-country skiing trails were rated #1 in Michigan by Michigan Living magazine readers. Crystal Mountain. Your northern Michigan cross-country skiing vacation starts here.

Visit Crystal Mountain Cross Country Website

Boyne Nordican offer some of the best nordic skiing and trails in the Midwest. Reliable winter conditions with heaps of snow and great skiing for your pleassure. We also have some great “ski and stay”, midweek lodging packages at Boyne Mtn. for both nordic and downhill skiing.

The XC Center building is open 9-5, weekends; 10-4 midweek during the winter season. During “iffy” conditions, the building may only be open on a limited basis. Call for any specifics, needs, or appointments: (231) 549-6088 (XC Center); 800 GO BOYNE for reservations; or(231) 582-9773 (Off season #).

Thank you for checking in and helping us look forward to another great, nordic ski season. Happy trails!!

PS. Check out the Boyne USA websites for information and more — www.boynemountain.com

Windy Lake Lodge Cross-Country Ski Trails

Our trails are freshly brushed out in the fall and then groomed to perfection with our hand-crafted drag groomer. The trails range from flat and gently rolling to quite hilly, excellent for the novice or expert. Trail distances range from a 5 km trail to a 25 km trail with a lunch cabin half way around. Don’t forget to bring your camera! You can also bushwhack ski into the pristine wilderness that few others ever see!

Try Snowshoeing!

If you don’t have snowshoes of your own, we have loaner shoes that you can use. On snowshoes you can hike to the base of huge majestic ice falls to several mountain top lookouts or explore miles of exquisite beauty in the unbroken snow.

Try Ice Fishing! (Month of March Only)

Yes, even the inexperienced can enjoy the thrill of catching a fresh trout. Our cook will prepare your catch as a side dish with your next meal. We’ll have all the fishing equipment you need, so plan to take time out for this bit of fun.

Accommodations - Your Home in the Wilderness
You will enjoy the comfort of our cozy warm cabins. Cabins are equipped for housekeeping should you want to bring your own food and do your own cooking. We provide all the clean bedding and towels you need. Our centrally located washroom building with sauna and shower will help you relax after a full day of skiing.

Meals
You’ll come back for seconds once you’ve tried our tasty home cooking. In the spacious dining room, the meals are served family style, so have as much as you wish. The menu will vary during the course of your stay. You can put in special requests in advance. Suppers are followed by dessert for those with a sweet tooth. A hot lunch will be ready for you the day you arrive, and a bagged lunch will be prepared for your train trip home.

Music Anyone?
Bring your musical instruments. We often gather around the piano and share homemade music. Games or just friendly chat will often fill the quiet evenings.

To Visit The Windy Lake Lodge Website — Click Here!!!

When you visit The Homestead, you have options. If you’re ready to cover some ground, hit the trail from The Village after an early breakfast and access the Bayview Trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 36 km of trials and panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands await you.

A more adventurous skier may appreciate the ascent to Pyramid Point, one of northern Michigan’s most beautiful viewpoints. Of course, the descent may prove to be the best part of the journey.

Ready for more? There’s plenty where that came from. There are over a dozen national park trailheads within a half-hour’s drive of The Homestead.

Northern Michigan’s Natural Nordic Experience.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses 70,000 acres, a large majority of which remains virtually unvisited during the winter months. When the snow is right, snowshoers and backcountry skiers can find a true backcountry experience right here in lower Michigan.

At The Homestead, you’ll find cozy accommodtions just steps from the trails. Gnomes, our full-service rental facility, features a full line of nordic skiing equipment, two types of snow shoes and specially designed backcountry skis that let you break your own trail. Experience the unspoiled beauty of a natural park while you enjoy the comfort and convenience of a full-service, family friendly resort.

Visit our website — click here! — or call (231) 334-5000 for more information.

With 30 kilometers of hill and dale to skate and glide, groomed and gorgeous trails wind through evergreen forests and snow-laden hardwoods straight from a storybook.

Stop for a picnic beside a swift-flowing creek or take a sunset sojourn across the orchards.

Searching for a break from the stress of the work week?

Try the White Pine Stampede race trail with its stretching, bending terrain, ideal for short strides and long glides.

Four main and several smaller trails combine to form our 42 KM Nordic Trail System. The trails feature two warming shelters and are power-tilled and groomed regularly. Your Trail Pass includes use of the chairlifts giving skiers quick access to the heart of the Nordic Trail system, as well as the entire Alpine Ski area.

In addition, Lake of the Clouds can be reached by following M-107, which is unplowed in winter.

Click For Larger View

Experience the great adventure of Nordic Skiing on the glacier-sculptured hills of McGuire’s 10k of groomed trails. Three kilometers are lighted for night skiing and take you across a creek, over a wooden bridge and through tunnels of evergreens. A professional groomer conditions the trails with a contemporary trak truck on a regular basis, assuring guests of the most favorable conditions possible.

McGuire’s Trail System

McGuire’s Resort features 10 kilometers of groomed trails. Three kilometers are lighted for night skiing from dusk to 11:00 p.m. Trail fees are $5.00 per day Friday, Saturday and Sunday and complimentary Monday through Thursday. Trail fees are collected at the Ski Shop. Snowshoe trails are provided complimentary. Trail fees are complimentary for registered guests.

McGuire’s Ski Shop

McGuire’s Ski Shop features an all new fleet of Leki brand poles with aluminum shafts and Karhu skis. Karhus provide the advanced technology of shorter length, ample width and sure grip, making both first time and more experienced skiers feel right at home on the trail. The versatile design works as well on groomed trails as off the beaten path. Rental equipment may be used on area trails including the Mackenzie Trail in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, located just past Caberfae Peaks or on the popular Cadillac Pathway, weaving along the Clam River.

A new fleet of snowshoes are available along with children’s sizes. Newly designed of aircraft aluminum, McGuire’s fleet of snowshoes are lighter weight allowing long excursions without the muscle stress of traditional snowshoe equipment.

Sleigh/Hay Rides

To round out your winter adventure, McGuire’s Resort offers horse drawn sleigh rides every Saturday evening December 26, 2005 through March 1, 2006 and on special dates during holiday week. Guests make reservations for the sleigh ride at the Ski Shop on arrival. In the event of unfavorable snow conditions, a horse drawn hay ride is offered.

$7.50 per adult
$3.00 per child under 16 years of age
$20.00 per family of four

Ski Lessons

Group ski and snowshoe lessons are available by advance appointment. Call in advance to make reservations at Guest Services (extension 601). Allow 45 minutes for instruction. Equipment rental is additional. Lessons are non-refundable.
Private lessons are $25.00 per hour, per guest.
Group lessons are $30.00 per hour for two-ten guests

McGuire’s Resort is just 15 minutes from Caberfae Peaks and 40 minutes from Crystal Mountain. The Downhill Ski and Sleep and Ski packages from McGuire’s include pre-paid vouchers for lift tickets at Caberfae Peaks.

Caberfae Peaks features the North Peak with a vertical drop of 485′ and elevation of 1,545 feet above sea level and the South Peak with a vertical drop of 470′ at 1,534′ feet above sea level. Enjoy spectacular views from even the middle of the slopes! Six operational lifts include two rope tows. 31 runs with 33% beginner, 31% intermediate and 36% advanced. Night skiing seven days a week on ten lighted slopes. Complete ski rental - Alpine, Nordic, snowboards, boots, poles and shaped skis.

Open and wooded skiing in the highlands of Benzie County. Panoramic views in every direction. Over 20 km of trails designed for beginner to advanced skiers. Trails will be groomed as needed with our new Ginzu groomer and tracksetter.
 
Trail Head
The trail head is located at Champion Hill clubhouse and will be open for skiers on both weekdays and weekends from 9:00 until 5:00. The small nordic center has heated restrooms, snack bar, waxing table, and waxing supplies.
 

Improvements for 2006-2007 Season.
There will be some major improvements this year. We are making extensive changes to our trail system so that they won’t cross the golf course and will be more sheltered. We have built three new wooded trails. Our grooming will be more efficient as we have purchased a second Ginzu groomer and a roller. Also, please note that we have extended our hours from 9 AM until 5 PM.