Vasa Pathway - Traverse City
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 are available at the Bartlett Rd. trailhead. Purchasing a winter Grooming Badge helps to support the TART Trails grooming efforts.
Timber Ridge Resort - Traverse City
Timber Ridge feature a few mostly flat, groomed loops adjacent and connecting to the Vasa trail. Much of their trail system is lighted for night skiing. Timber Ridge has a cozy lodge and fireplace, and lots of other amenities. You must purchase a trail pass in order to use these trails. They have a rental ski program and waxing area that are sponsored by the Vasa Ski Club.
Hickory Hills - Traverse City
Hickory Hills is better than ever, right in town, and 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. Hickory Hills offers affordable rentals at the lodge.
Hickory Meadows - Traverse City
Next door to Hickory Hills, 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.
Leelanau Trail - Traverse City to Suttons Bay
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.
Grand Traverse Land Conservancy - Grand Traverse County
There are many Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy properties that allow nordic skiing in the winter and some offer grooming. Glacial Hills is a great example of a propertie that offers Nordic skiing.
Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore - Leelanau County
Sleeping Bear Dunes offers outstanding cross country skiing and snowshoeing on a variety of trails and terrain. 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.
Crystal Mountain - Thompsonville
Crystal Mountain Resort offers 25K of groomed classic and skating trails. From a black diamond challenge to gentle treks through the trees, the Crystal Mountain 25+km Nordic trail network provides terrain for all ability levels, from novice to expert. Crystal Mountain meticulously-groomed for both skating and classic skiing.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters - Rosscommon
Enjoy over 11 miles (18 km) of trails suitable for all abilities that are “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 are available.
Forbush Corner - Forbush
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!!! Over 25k of groomed skating & classic trails with a wide variety of terrain.
Hanson Hills - Grayling
Enjoy over 35km of beautiful Nordic ski trails, groomed daily to accommodate classic and skate 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 an 8.8km tour of Hanson Hill's "Classic Only" wilderness trail.
Lakes of the North - Mancelona
Lakes of the North offers 20K of groomed Nordic ski trails, with heavily wooded rolling hills and a confortable warming lodge.
Treetops Resort - Gaylord
For all of you cross country ski lovers out there, Treetops Resort’s cross country skiing trails are suitable for all ranges of skill, from beginner to expert. We keep our trails beautifully groomed and ready for skiers all winter long, weather permitting. The trails wind through the woods, past the downhill slopes, which provide a small area of manmade snow.
Mackenzie Trail - Cadillac
The MacKenzie Cross-Country Ski Trail is set in a beautiful Northern Michigan hardwood forest. The trail system can conveniently be accessed from the ski resort’s base area. The trail system totals 10 miles, with loop combinations of varying lengths and levels. The trails are marked with blue diamonds, trail location maps, skiing difficulty levels and directional signs are posted at each intersection. Trails are groomed on a regular basis by local volunteers and cross country ski enthusiasts. There is no fee to use the trails and Caberfae now offers brand new cross country ski equipment for rent.
Boyne Mountain Resort - Boyne Falls
Boyne Mountain has 35km of trails that wind through pine forests with beginner trails and technical terrain. Lessons and equipment rentals are available through the resort.
Shanty Creek - Bellaire
Shanty Creek and Schuss Mountain village offer 28km of groomed ski trails that provide a true village to village skiing experience. Lessons and rentals are available at the Schuss Nordic Center.
Grass River Nature Center - Bellaire
The Grass River Natural area grooms 3mi of trails with classic tracks when conditions allow. They also have limited rentals available.
Boyne Highlands Resort - Harbor Springs
With more than 35 kilometers of groomed and track-set trails, there's no better way to experience the forests and fields of The Highlands than from a pair of cross-country skis. Whether you're looking for an all-day tour, a challenging hill loop or a brisk skate, you'll appreciate the beauty and tranquility of our beautifully maintained trail network.
Nubs Nob - Harbor Springs
Garland Lodge and Golf Course - Lewiston
Garland Lodge and Golf Course offers 20km of groomed ski trails on beautiful privately owned forest. They average 141in of snowfall a year, giving it a consistent snowpack and high quality skiing.
Winter Trail Ettiquette
- Please do not ride, ski over or walk on any classic tracks.
- Be consciene of where dogs are allowed. Often they are not permitted on nordic ski trails for safety reasons. Many areas will have a dog loop where it is encouraged to bring a dog.
- 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.
- 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!
