Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing & Snowshoeing  

Iron County Winter Silent Sports 

 

Ski Brule Resort

One of the best ski resorts in the Midwest, Ski Brule is perfect for a day trip or weekend get-away. Amenities includes lodging, skiing and snowboarding rentals, terrain park, tubing, acrobag, fat tire bike trails, cross country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and fun family events throughout the winter. Click here to book your trip.

Crystella Ski Hill

This great little hill is run by active volunteers and is a great spot for a day of sledding, skiing, and snowboarding for a reasonable price.

Snowshoeing Iron County Michigan

For those whose desire is to go softly through the woods on snowshoes, there are snowshoe trails around Brule Mountain and at The Listening Inn. Snowshoe enthusiasts can also “bushwhack” almost any direction they wish, with terrain from nearly level to rolling landscapes.

Snowshoe through the woods, breathing air filled with smells of the forest, hearing nothing but the sound of your own footsteps. Snowshoeing in Michigan offers outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers a respite among picturesque trails and terrains. A silent sport, snowshoeing offers a unique opportunity to meld into your surroundings and feel what ancient cultures must have experienced as snowshoeing is one of the oldest forms of transportation. Snowshoeing lets you enjoy the snow’s tranquility in a Pure Michigan winter..

Cross Country Skiing

Ski Brule – 32 km Cross-Country Ski Trail System

Enjoy Ski Brule which boasts to be the first to open and last to close in the Midwest. Check out their vast system of well-marked trails.

The Ge-Che Cross-Country Trail

The Ge-Che Cross-Country Trail weaves around three lakes, Hagerman, Brule and Ottawa, in the U.S. Forest Service’s Ottawa National Forest in southwest Iron County. Ge-Che (“Big Lake” in Ojibwa) was named for Lake Ottawa. The trail totals 10.8 km over gentle and rolling terrain and connects Lake Ottawa with Hagerman Lake across the road. A couple of loops are classified as expert but are easily avoided by those with lesser skills. The trail is groomed by the nearby Covenant Point Bible Camp, which is the recommended trailhead for skiers. The trailhead at Lake Ottawa is not plowed, but fishermen do put the snow blade down on occasion. There is no trail fee but donations are welcome. Trail maps are available at the Covenant Point trailhead. Call Covenant Point (906) 265-2117 for more information.

Young’s Golf-Recreation-Dining Trail System

Young’s offers 6 km of meticulously groomed trails, prepared for both classical and skating techniques. Follow the trails to explore Wagner Lake or wind through the wooded expanse of the complex. Varying terrain provides excellent skiing for all ability levels, from novice to expert. Trails open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open Wed-Sun). No fee for trail use; rental equipment available. Always check in at the pro shop for safety! 

Lake Mary Plains Pathway

Lacross country skiing up michiganke Mary Plains Pathway, located off M-69 in Mansfield Township, between Sagola and Crystal Falls, features 9.6 miles of DNRE maintained trails. Three loops totaling 19 km are marked, groomed mostly for classical skiing, which will appeal to novice and intermediate cross-country skiers. For more information, contact the DNRE office at (906) 875-6622.