Jan 19

Jan 19 6 Northern Michigan Nordic Ski Trails to Try this Winter

Tips, Weekend Trip, Winter, Explore, Day Trips

Wax your skis and don your wool base layer— Nordic winter wonderlands await across the north.

It may not feel this way, but glittery snow-covered ski days are fleeting. The ephemeral ski season is upon us now. So, let’s get out there and ski! Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight ski or a day trip centered around a satisfying afternoon on the trail— I rounded up 6 new or not-to-be-missed cross country ski trails to try for the Northern Express. My top trail picks stretch from Manistee County to Onaway. I’ve included the list below, but you can find the full article with descriptions of each trail on the Northern Express website here.

Kettles Trail Loop | Empire
3-mile Sleeping Bear Dunes loop
Find it: The trailhead sits near the intersection of West Baatz and South Fritze roads, west of County Road 669.
More info: Call the SBD Visitor Center at (231) 334-2000, or visit friendsofsleepingbear.org/programs/kettles/

Hickory Hills ski loop located on the west side of Traverse City

Hickory Hills Ski Area | Traverse City
Newly improved 5k near-town trails with 1k lit loop
Find it: The 125-acre public ski resort is located on the west side of Traverse City. Access Randolph Street from Division Street and head west until it dead-ends at the resort.
More info: (231) 947-8566, www.traversecitymi.gov/hickory_hills.asp

Forbush Corner Nordic | Frederic
Skillfully groomed resort with easy, intermediate and advanced loops from 1.5-7k
Find it: Forbush is ¼ mile east of I-75 exit #264.
More info: (989) 889-1644, www.forbushcorner.com

Wildwood Hills Pathway | Indian River
11-mile serene, wooded trail system with lots of route options
Find it: The ski area has two access points: the East Lot trailhead (southwest of I-75 exit 310 to Indian River) and the West Lot trailhead (9.5 miles east of Petoskey on CR-58).
More info: www.trailscouncil/wildwood-hills-pathway/

Photo courtesy Mike Trewartha, Huron-Manistee National Forest Service

Big M Cross Country Ski Trails | Manistee/Cadillac
35km of classic ski trails through the heart of the rolling hills of Manistee National Forest.
Find it: Big M is located on Udell Hills Road, 3 ½ miles south of M-55 (about 29 miles west of Cadillac).
More info: (231) 723-2211, www.skibigm.org

Black Mountain Trail System | Onaway
30-mile trail system between Cheboygan and Onaway
Find it: The ski area has four parking lot access points, including Twin Lakes and Doriva Beach roads in Cheboygan County and North County Line Road and County Road 489 in Presque Isle.
More info: (231) 627-2811, www.trailscouncil.org/black-mountain-recreation-area-trail/