Local XC Trails


Area Cross Country Ski Trails

Vasa Pathway
The legendary Vasa. Groomed regularly by TART Trails - includes a skate lane and two classic tracks when possible providing 3k, 5k, 10k & 25k trail loops that feature rolling hills and a few challenging climbs.
Warming shelter and restrooms at the Bartlett Rd. trailhead.
Winter Grooming Badge (see below) helps to support the grooming efforts.
Map

Hickory Hills and Hickory Meadows
Better than ever, right in town, all with a beautiful new lodge. HH has 4.5 hilly kilometers of Beginner to advanced cross-country ski trails, as well as a 1 Km lighted cross-country loop for night skiing. But as Coach John Kostrzewa notes, "The trail is only partially lit, but visibility from the Alpine area lights and the Nordic sections that are lit, make it easy to see on all 4.5K of this challenging loop." Day or seasonal passes.
Info
NEW this year: an xc ski rental program at the lodge.
Next door at Hickory Meadows is a mostly flat and rolling multi-use 4K groomed trail. Trail is shared with walkers, snowshoers, skaters and classic. Hickory Hills grooms it.
Free - but memberships from HH help to pay for grooming and are appreciated.

Leelanau Trail
Groomed once a week by TART Trails Volunteers as conditions permit, and includes conditions well-suited for classic and skate-skiing, fatbiking and snowshoeing. The trail is groomed from the Cherry Bend trailhead to the 4th St trailhead.
Map

Timber Ridge Resort
Mostly flat, groomed loops adjacent and connecting to the Vasa trail. Lighted night skiing. TR has a cozy lodge and fireplace, and lots of other amenities. Day or seasonal passes. They also have a rental ski program.
Info

Grand Traverse Land Conservancy
Has several trails in their system that are great for cross country skiing. 
Info

Leelanau Conservancy
Has several trails in their system that are great for cross country skiing. 
Info

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park
Sleeping Bear Dunes offers outstanding cross country skiing and snowshoeing on a variety of trails and terrain. A list of trails and links to trail maps can be found on the bottom of this page. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is groomed for both classic track and skate skiing. Other ski trails are not groomed but are usually well tracked by previous skiers.
Info

Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail
Winter on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is special. Light fluffy snow covering the trees and trail make it ideal for photography, skiing, or snowshoeing through a secluded winter wonderland! Most of the trail is groomed in the winter with a corduroy base for skate skiing, snowshoeing, and classic tracks on the outside for classic cross-country skiing.
Info

​Crystal Mountain
25K groomed classic and skating. From a black diamond challenge to gentle treks through the trees, our 25+km Nordic trail network provides terrain for all ability levels, from novice to expert. Meticulously-groomed for both skating and traditional skiing
Info

Cross Country Ski Headquarters - Roscommon
Enjoy over 11 miles (18 km) of trails suitable for all abilities and “Ginzu” groomed every morning with the same groomer used in the Olympics. Glide on freshly set tracks, or skate on freshly packed corduroy lanes. On weekends, visit Trappers Cabin, just one mile from the trailhead, to warm by the fire and enjoy a snack or refreshment. Day and seasonal passes.
​Info

Forbush Corner - Frederic
Enjoy miles of rolling, wooded trails that are carefully designed for all levels of ability and immaculately groomed by the largest fleet of Nordic only grooming equipment in the Midwest. Combine that with the local Frederic micro-climate of early and frequent snowfalls, and it all adds up to FUN!!! 20 K groomed skating & classic. A wide variety of terrain. 
Info

Hanson Hills - Grayling
Enjoy over 35km of beautiful Nordic ski trails, groomed daily to host Classic and Skating style ski techniques.  Hanson Hills offers a fun and challenging trail system for all abilities of skiers.  Want to get off the main trail system, take a 8.8km tour of our "Classic Only" wilderness trail.
Info

Lakes of the North - Mancelona
20K of groomed Nordic ski trails, heavily wooded rolling hills. Lodge. The 7K Winterstart XC Ski Race each December kicks off the Michigan Cup race season.
Info


Winter Trails Etiquette
(written for VASA, but practicing trail etiquette is a good thing everywhere!)

  • Please do not ride, ski over or walk on any classic tracks.
  • Dogs are not permitted on the Vasa 5K, 10K & 25K during the winter. You may take the pooch on the Meadows 3K loop aka “Poop Loop.”
  • If you must walk, please walk off to the side of the trail (not in the classic tracks).
  • Use the trail in the direction that distance markers indicate. For example, clockwise for 25K and 10K, counter-clockwise for the 5K. This way everyone is going the same direction.
  • Bikes yield to skiers. Give skate skiers a wide berth when passing.
  • Be an ambassador for the sport – stay polite, educate other users, discourage bad behavior, follow the rules, support grooming, and have fun!



Trail Reports

For Vasa Pathway and Leelanau Trail - TART Trail Grooming Reports
Click Here

Vasa Trail Ski Conditions Facebook Page:
Click Here

Various NW Michigan Trails - Nordic Ski Racer Reports:
Click Here

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail & Palmer Woods Grooming:
Click Here

​Collection of many area XC trail reports - Ski Michigan:
Click Here



Grooming Support

What we would do without our wonderful groomers? Please support their efforts!
Vasa Pathway and Leelanau Trail are groomed by TART Trails dedicated grooming team who give us world-class trail conditions on these trails. Grooming is primarily supported through the purchase of a Winter Grooming Badge. 
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