michigan trails

[tellcat]

If one were to spend a month(jan.) in Michigan skiing-what town would be the best central location within a short drive(hour or so) of many trails?

[FrontRunner]

Traverse City...Vasa Trail...Hanson Hills....Forbush.....Boyne Mt....Crystal Mt.....Sand Lakes Quiet Area......Just to name a few within an hour or so.

[Askel]

Houghton.

You got Chassell, Swedetown, MTU, Churning Rapids, and Massto Hitto all right by.

You're also easily within striking distance of all the Marquette trails along with everything out near the porkies and ARB. Even northern WI could be a reasonable day trip.

Also a good place to spend a month.

Or 16 years.

[tellcat]

thanks for your replies-looking ahead to retirement when i can devote serious time - may have to consider wisconsin as well- the hard part will be finding lodging for a month at a time

[the_doctor]

Traverse City...Vasa Trail...Hanson Hills....Forbush.....Boyne Mt....Crystal Mt.....Sand Lakes Quiet Area......Just to name a few within an hour or so.

Do these get a lot of snow? Is snow consistently there in December through Feb? Are there any ski resorts out there? I have yet to visit Michigan and I think that Michigan deserves consideration. I've been always trying to visit every state.

thanks
bill

[tellcat]

i can't speak for michiganders-but it seems they often get a lot of lake effect snow off lake michigan
from what i've seen there are several parks and forests- state, national, metro, county, etc.
what i don't know is how michigan balances the demand for snow with snowmobilers- if they share, or
are the trails seperate?

[FrontRunner]

Houghton....December 99% of the time....Traverse City 90% in December.....this year was one of the few exceptions, although there was snow, but marginal conditions mostly on golf courses.

[Askel]

what i don't know is how michigan balances the demand for snow with snowmobilers- if they share, or
are the trails seperate?

Can only speak for the UP, but-

"Official" trails are very much separate.

As for unofficial trails, well- there's more than enough snow and terrain available that we rarely cross paths. The overlap between good skiing and good snowmobiling is pretty small anyway.