Any XC Skiers in SE Michigan ???

ME! although I'm not that good.

If you don't mind, post some links to the sites you view. I haven't done it for fitness in years, but I've been getting some interest back.

I bought a pair of snowshoes last winter, but only had one occasion to use them as intended. I think XC skiing is more along the lines of what I wanted to do.

When I was in HS, my folks lived on a golf course. I would ski it a couple times a day as conditions allowed. It was my after school exercise for a little while.

Returning to the sport this year after a long time off. My girlfriend lives 20 minutes from the VASA so once my shoulder heals I'll be getting out for sure.

Trixie, after seeing you run, you'd probably kick my arse going backwards on skis.

Matt, I'm sure I'll forget something but these are some links:

http://www.nordicskiracer.com/has alot of links to trail reports and other useful info.

http://www.vasa.org/ Just south of Traverse City, with great skiing both skate and classic, they take pride in having nicely groomed trails. I find it's worth the drive, I've even made this run a two day trip a couple years ago by getting a hotel room at the Best Western in TC for a whopping $30 a night (midweek) on Priceline, not sure if there still selling rooms that way but it worked out well.

http://www.cross-country-ski.com/
Is the cross country ski headquarters in Roscommon, a great shop with trails groomed by them right across the street from there location. They also do rentals, so if you don't have gear you can rent and ski there or take them to other trails and return later. Call ahead and they can probably get stuff set up for you to make the pickup quick. Usually have a nice lunch with soup available.

Another great shop in Grayling, I've purchased skis there and other supplies in the past, not sure about rentals, but I'd think they'd have them too:
http://www.xcskishop.com/home/

Near Tawas is the Corsair Ski Trails, I've never been able to ski there, but have it on my hit list.
http://www.skinordic.org/corsairski/

Near West Branch is the Ogemaw Hills Pathway, when they have snow it's a great place to ski, or at least it used to be. Not sure if the cutbacks in the DNR have affected it or the West Branch Chamber of Commerce may pay for grooming, can't recall.
http://www.visitwestbranch.com/ogemawhillspathway.html

Hanson Hills near Grayling has XC skiing, but I've never hit it, not sure but thought they were only open on the weekends in the past:
http://www.hansonhills.org/

North side of Grayling is Hartwick Pines State Park, it was ok but with DNR cutbacks who knows now.

I'm sure there's some others I'm forgetting. If we would actually get some decent snow here it would be great as the Metroparks do a pretty good job of grooming. Maybury state park used to groom, but the damn dog walkers destroy the tracks as there feet don't sink as far and they obviously don't give a crap about destroying the trail for skiers, happens on some of the trails at Kensington too.

Hope this helps

Hanson Hills has an awesome singletrack for mountain biking that would be a riot for XC skiing, the single track should be open year round to everyone daily.

Edited by Nelg 2007-12-03 4:37 PM

I went yesterday on 3" of snow on the Oakland University golf course, cutting trail and kicking . It was phenomenal. I'm in. Lemme know when, if I'm in town (which isn't all that often), I'm there.