Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – It wouldn’t be winter without Pure Michigan and Nick Nerbonne has the details on tons of winter fun.
February 20 2025 interview below.
Let’s talk cross-country skiing!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters near Higgins Lake is celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend and it inspired me to talk about this fun – and healthy! – winter activity.
Quick note – this place has a great history.
- Founded by Bob Frye and his wife Lynne in 1974, the started a XC ski rental in a snowmobile shed.
- Bob has been one of the state’s most passionate and visible ambassadors for the sport, co-founding the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council in 1988 to further promote the sport.
- Bob was inducted into the Michigan Ski Hall of Fame in 2016.
XC Ski HQ now offers a full-service retail operation, cross-country ski rentals and lessons, and a lively gathering place with food, live music and winter fun for beginners and experts a like. It’s a true destination for XC skiers.
Where can I cross-country ski closer to home?
Pigeon Creek Park – rentals and ski clinics available – 3 miles of lighted trails open until 10 pm when conditions permit
Muskegon Luge and Adventure Park – 15 km of trails – rentals available – also offer lighted trails for night skiing
If I want to plan a trip elsewhere in Michigan, what other destinations offer cross-country ski rentals and trails?
Crystal Mountain
Shanty Creek Resort
Treetops Resort in Gaylord
Forbush Corner near Grayling
From February 13, 2025
Hit the slopes!
Conditions are as good as they’ve been in several years at ski areas and resorts across the state.
- Close to home
- Bittersweet
- Timber Ridge (also has snow tubing)
- Cannonsburg
- Day trip
- Caberfae – near Cadillac
- Last-minute getaway
- Crystal Mountain
- Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek
Signature event in the U.P. this weekend
Michigan Ice Fest – climbers from around the world travel to Munising and surrounding area to climb 200-foot curtains of vertical ice
UP 200 Sled Dog Race
- 228-mile race from Marquette to Grand Marais and back
- mushers can qualify for the Iditarod in Alaska
Comments