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CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

Trail Systems  |  Equipment Rentals

Endless trails and endless powder makes the Keweenaw Peninsula the perfect destination for both groomed and backcountry cross country skiing. During a normal winter, the Copper Country receives around 270+ inches of snow. Combine that with 160+ kilometers of unique trails across the Keweenaw, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy these invigorating winter pastimes. Need gear? Check out these local shops for all your equipment rental needs.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING TRAIL SYSTEMS

KEWEENAW MOUNTAIN LODGE

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge welcomes each snowfall as an opportunity for adventure and offers 10 km of groomed, classic cross-country ski trails. These trails are conveniently located right outside the cabins and are a mix of wooded terrain and open spaces. With multiple loop options, visitors can head out for a quick ski or combine the loops for a longer day. Hok skis (a mix between cross-country skis and snowshoes) and snowshoes can be rented at the Lodge. Learn more!

Two classic cross country skiers in front of cabins

MOUNT BOHEMIA CROSS-COUNTRY TRAILS

In addition to having the largest back-country glade and the only triple black runs in the Midwest, Mount Bohemia now has 12km of cross country skiing to enjoy.

For your comfort and convenience, Mount Bohemia offers hostel, cabins, yurt cabins, and winter camping on site. The North Pole Bar and Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make sure to check out the Nordic Spa, and enjoy a soak in the largest outdoor hot tub in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Woman cross country skis at Mount Bohemia

Cross-country skiing at Mount Bohemia in Lac La Belle

SWEDETOWN TRAILS

Swedetown Recreation Area offers winter trails for everyone: from beginners to advanced cross country skiers, with many trails just right for intermediates. There are three trailheads with plowed parking and all trails are marked with signs and maps. The main trailhead starts at the Swedetown Chalet, which offers restrooms, a changing room, and water refills. There is a groomed sledding hill for families here, lighted for evenings.

Your dog pals are welcome to join you on trails beginning at the Woodland Trailhead. The Woodland trails are packed for skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Bring your snowshoes and enjoy a hike up to Calumet’s water towers for a vista of Calumet. Or try a snowshoe hike on Muggun Loop for creek views, starting at the M203 Trailhead.

There are also 10 miles of groomed trails just for fat-tire biking. Trails maintained and managed by Swedetown Trails Club. Equipment rental, lodging, dining, shops, and services are available in nearby Calumet. The main trailhead is on Osceola Road, just off US-41 in Calumet.  

MICHIGAN TECH NORDIC TRAINING CENTER

A regular host for the U.S. National Cross Country Championships because of the region's ample snowfall and precision grooming, the cross country trails at Michigan Tech are world-class. Skiers will find long downhills, gathering speed and sharp turns at the bottom are distinctive of the 31km of trails.

Trailheads are located at Sharon Avenue and the Nara Nature Preserve – both with warming shelters and waxing facilities. Trails are groomed regularly as necessary for both skating and traditional skiing and provide lighting for evening skis. There are also 24k of recreation trails for fat tire biking and 35 km of ungroomed snowshoe trails. Daily and/or season passes are required for non-students. Ski rental is available at the Student Development Complex.

Man admires snowfall during a cross country ski outing

A XC skier admiring the scenic beauty at Swedetown Recreation Area

CHASSELL CLASSIC TRAILS

Chassell Classic Trails are a private trail system maintained by volunteers from the Chassell Recreation Club who groom the trails for the traditional skier. Your donations are needed to keep it maintained and can be placed in the donation pipe at the Heritage Center. The 5k Lower Trail and the 5k Paradise Loop are both easy to intermediate. A warming hut is located at the ice rink next to the Heritage Center. Parking is available 1 block west of US-41 in Chassell on Hancock Street at the Chassell Heritage Center and on Archambeau Road.

COPPER HARBOR PATHWAY

Enjoy the romance and wilderness experience of the Northwoods when skiing Copper Harbor’s Pathway. The 9km of classical skiing trails are groomed as necessary. Copper Harbor Pathway also offers 15km+ of snowshoe trails. Trailhead, parking, and restrooms are available at the Copper Harbor Welcome Center on US-41.

Two women XC ski in Copper Harbor

A bluebird ski day in Copper Harbor

BOUNDARY ROAD TRAILS

Boundary Road Trails are silent sports trails that feature overlooks of the Pilgrim River. These trails are FREE and open to the public! All users/uses are welcome and encouraged. Whole-family friendly, including dogs. It’s okay to walk, with or without snowshoes. Fat-tire bikers may find the surface too soft for their liking, but they are welcome to try! Trails will be groomed as regularly as possible.

EAGLE HARBOR SKI TRAIL

The trail system within the Eagle Harbor Conservation and Recreation Area is extensive and is used for cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. There are approximately 10 miles of trails that are contained in the Eliza Lake Preserve, Long Lake Refuge, and the George Hite Dunes and Marshes.

The Eagle Harbor Ski Trail begins at the west end of Pine Street just outside of Eagle Harbor. The classic wilderness single track trails are groomed by volunteers as needed, usually on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. A donation box is located at the trailhead. The main loop runs around Long Lake with many shortcuts and additional loops that can take you as far as Great Sand Bay. Groomed for classic skiing, snowshoers are encouraged to stay on the side of the tracks if they wish to use the trails. No trails are groomed for snow biking. Dogs are welcome. Access available at the Great Sand Bay MDOT parking area as well.

MAASTO HIIHTO & CHURNING RAPIDS

The Maasto Hiihto trails and Churning Rapids trails in Hancock offer groomed trails for classic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. These two systems contain about 25k of groomed trails for all three activities plus 16 km groomed primarily for snow bikes and another 9 km packed by snowshoers for snowshoeing. Backcountry skiing/snowshoeing in Churning Rapids is unlimited. The chalet, located at the Hancock Driving Park trailhead, is open during the day, providing a community room, restrooms, and a waxing bench. Other trailheads are located on Tomasi Road next to the Hancock DPW facility, and at the M-203/Christensen Road intersection. Maps and donation pipes are located at the Driving Park and Tomasi Road trailheads. All trails are dog-friendly. Learn more!

TWIN LAKES STATE PARK TRAILS

While skiing the wooded trails at Twin Lakes you can enjoy a view of Lake Superior at the scenic overlook sight. All trails are maintained on a volunteer effort as needed for traditional skiing. Trails include the 3.5k Superior Loop of gently rolling terrain and the 1k Sand Pit Loop with a  steeper grade, and the ungroomed 1.8k Wyandotte Falls loop and the 2.8k Ravine Loop with rolling terrain and steep hill & curve. A Michigan Recreation Passport required for entrance. Located at 6204 E. Poyhonen Road, Twin Lakes/Toivola, MI 49965. Call (906) 288-3321 for more information.

MCLAIN STATE PARK TRAILS

Beautiful ice formations along the shores of Lake Superior attract skiers to McLain State Park. Spectacular Lakeview scenery is the specialty of this trail. Terrain varies from flat open expanses to woods and hills. No true track is set, but the trail is smoothed as needed. The 2k East Loop is easy to intermediate and the 4k West Loop is easy. Snowbikes, snowshoes, and cross country skiing are all welcome.  A Michigan Recreation Passport required for entrance. Located at 18350 State Highway M-203 (7 miles west of Hancock) or call 906-482-0278 for more information.

NARA NATURE PARK

Nara Nature Park – Minutes from Houghton, between Houghton & Chassell on the north side of US-41. Over 50 miles of exquisite trails. World-class skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, running, biking, birding, boating! Chalet, fireplace, showers. Call (906) 482-1700 for more information.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Need help with winter gear?  Our local rental shops are here to make sure you have the right equipment to make the most of your Keweenaw winter trail experience.

Backcountry snowshoeing in the snowy forests of Swedetown.