Best U.P. Cross Country Ski Trails
Tons of snow and cold temperatures, what is not to love about winter in the Upper Peninsula? Nordic skiing is an incredible way to explore the northern forests and can be a winter activity enjoyed by young and old. The following are our favorite Nordic skiing destinations where you can take the whole family out for some winter wonderland fun!
SWEDETOWN TRAILS - CALUMET
When talking perfect snow for Nordic skiing, we have to have the Keweenaw Peninsula as one of the top destinations for folks looking to get out to ski some kilometers on perfectly groomed trails. One of our all time favorite areas is the Swedetown ski trails. This 1900 acres of rolling, primarily wooded land offers an outstanding 35K of groomed ski trails. The trails are groomed daily for skating and with set tracks for classic skiing. For after work fun there are 5K of trails with trail lights on for evening skiing seven days a week. If you are looking for excellent snow, perfectly groomed trails, then look no further than Swedetown!
Swedetown also offers more than 10 miles of groomed snow bike trails, multiple snowshoe loops and miles of moderate, cross-country style mountain bike trails in the summer
- Michigan Tech Trails - Houghton - Trails for all skill levels known for hosting national level races
- Maasto Hiihto - Hancock - Beautiful scenic trails groomed for classic skiing
- Churning Rapids - Hancock - Linked to the Maasto Hiihto trails, this area offers a more remote, backcountry ski experience
- Chassel Trails - Chassel - A Less traveled, but well groomed and beautiful set of trails
- Copper Harbor Trails - Copper Harbor - Several groomed trails in Michigan's northermost town offer a beautiful place to ski
FORESTVILLE - MARQUETTE
Further south in Marquette, The Forestville (Noquemanon) Cross Country Ski Trails is a 50K system with point to point and loop trails including a range of difficulty from beginner to expert. It’s hard to imagine a prettier place to ski and enjoy snow draped trees while gliding throughout the rolling hills. These trails are groomed daily for classic and skate skiing with 20k of the trails open to dogs on leash.
BLUEBERRY RIDGE - MARQUETTE
One of the older ski trails in the Central U.P., the Blueberry Ridge Pathway is a popular cross-country ski trail close to the city of Marquette. This trail is managed by the DNR and consists of 21 km of regularly groomed trails. There are seven loops of varying difficulty with some of the loops groomed for diagonal and/or skate stride. This trail system also features a 2.7km lighted loop.
VALLEY SPUR - MUNISING
Located in the snow belt of the U.P., Valley Spur is known throughout the Midwest for the high quality of its snow! The 45 km cross country ski trail system is groomed daily or as the need arises from December through March so that the trails are always ready. All trails are groomed for both skate and classic ski. Super fun hills are always a highlight of this trail system! Valley Spur usually enjoys a deep snow base getting heavy accumulations from the lake effect snows off Lake Superior which make for a truly unique skiing experience.
