Cross Country Skiing Trails

The rhythm of the poles in the snow and the smooth feel of skis gliding along remote wooded trails make cross-country skiing an unparalleled pastime in Northern Michigan.

Throughout the region, the terrain is widely varied so skiers may choose their own challenge level, from a major workout to a relaxing glide among snowpacked pines. Whatever type of Nordic skiing appeals to you, you’ll find it more appealing than ever up North. And if you’ve never tried it, you can rent equipment or take a lesson to discover what a great sport you’ve been missing.

Local Trails

Aspen Grove XC Center is located at Wagbo Peace Center, the corner of M-66 at Kidder Road, East Jordan. 15-20K. Trails range from flat to rolling fields and through forests. Groomed for skating and classic skiing. Equipment rental, repairs and instruction available, along with retail items and refreshments. Charge for usage.

Avalanche Trail, corner of Lake and Ann streets, Boyne City. 9K, four loops. Trails range in difficulty from flat terrain for novices to steep inclines for experienced skiers. Ungroomed. No fee.

Birchwood Country Club, 600 Birchwood Dr., Harbor Springs. 14K, three loops. The 3.2-mile loop is mostly flat; the other loops have a few hills for intermediate skiers. Groomed for striding. No fee.

Boyne Highlands Resort, 600 Highlands Dr., Harbor Springs. 28K, four loops. Scenic views. Terrain is hilly to flat and offers a variety of options for all levels of skiers. Groomed for skating and striding. Charge for usage.

Boyne Mountain Resort, One Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls. 50K, 12 loops. Gliders, skaters and telemark skiers, from beginners to advanced, will all find trails that fit their style and skiing ability. Groomed for striding and skating. Charge for usage.

Charlevoix X/C Ski Trail, Mount McSauba Road, Charlevoix. 8K, three loops. Panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Suitable for novice to advanced skiers with conditions that can vary from flat ground to steep hills. Groomed for striding and skating. No fee.

North Central Michigan College, 1515 Howard St., Petoskey. 12K, three loops. This scenic trail borders the beautiful Bear River and offers a relatively flat course, suitable for beginners. Packed trails. No fee.

Nub’s Nob, 500 Nub’s Nob Road, Harbor Springs. 10K, two loops. Beginners through advanced skiers can enjoy Nub’s picturesque trails. Groomed and power-tilled daily for skating and striding. Charge for usage.

Petoskey State Park, 2475 M-119, Petoskey. 5.5K, two loops. Novice skiers who choose to tackle these trails should be prepared for lots of hills. Ungroomed. State Park annual sticker or day pass required.

Springbrook Pathway, Chandler Road, Walloon Lake. 10K, three loops. DNR-maintained trail suitable for novice to intermediate skiers. The most difficult portions of the loop are farthest from the trailhead. Ungroomed. No fee.
How to get there: Take U.S. 131 south from Petoskey to Boyne Falls. Go east on County Road 626 to the turn from the Thunder Mountain downhill resort. Proceed to the end of the road, turn left and the trail will be about one mile on the left.

Trout Creek, 4749 Pleasantview Road, Harbor Springs. 14K, four loops. Skiers of all levels will find a suitable route at Trout Creek. There are a flat beginner loop, an intermediate loop and two loops for the more experienced. Packed trails. No fee.

Warner Creek, M-32, Elmira. 3.8K, one loop. This novice trail is scenic and winds along Warner Creek. It is used frequently and most often will have tracks. Ungroomed. No fee; however, donations are accepted.

Wilderness State Park, Wilderness Park Dr., Mackinaw City. 55K, five loops. Great back-country skiing with lake views. The terrain varies from flat to rolling, making it a good choice for novice or intermediate skiers. Double track. State Park annual sticker or day pass required.
 
Wildwood Hills Pathway, Wildwood Road, Petoskey. 15K, three loops. The rolling hills on these trails make it interesting for beginners or intermediate skiers. It’s designed to allow beginners to bypass the most difficult hills. Groomed for skating and striding. No fee; however, donations are accepted.

Young State Park, 02280 Boyne City Road, Boyne City. 6.4K, three loops. Scenic trails on the northern shore of Lake Charlevoix. No large hills; beginners will find the trails tractable. Groomed for striding. State Park annual sticker or day pass required.