Trails: The VASA Trails are the site of the annual North American VASA ski race, one of the premier citizen ski races in North America. Named after the Vasaloppet in Sweden, the 50 km ski marathon takes place in mid-February and consists of two laps around the perimeter trail. Shorter distances of 12 and 27 km are also available for those not ready for a marathon.
During the rest of the winter 40 km (24 miles) of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing (skate and classic). There are four overlapping loops: 3 km, 5 km, 11 km and 25 km. The trails are quite hilly, ranging from a climb of 400 feet on the 5k trail to 1,575 feet on the 25k. Grooming is performed by the volunteers of TART Trails, a non-profit organization, with the operating costs covered by donations.
Adjacent to the south end of the trails, Timber Ridge Resort grooms a 5 km network of trails and charges trail fee of $7 for adults, $3 for kid aged 12 and under. Trail fees: No charge for VASA trails (winter 2008-9), but donations can be deposited in collection tubes at the trailhead. Tel: TART: 231-941-4300; Pere Marquette State Forest: 231-922-5280
Snow report: Trail conditions are posted on the VASA website. Nearest town: Traverse City, MI Web site:VASA Trails (DNR) | North American VASA | Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails Trail map: Available on the TART website. Race course map is on the VASA website. Equipment rentals: At Grand Traverse Resort Ski lessons: Other winter activities: Facilities: Warming shelter, restroom, water Lodging on site:Timber Ridge Resort has 20 heated camper cabins. Lodging nearby: Traverse City has several resorts and other accommodations. Grand Traverse Resort is just a mile north of the trails. Tourism info:Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau Weather forecast:Traverse City Location of trails: The VASA Trails are located about 5 miles east of Traverse City. From the I-75 take Exit 256 at Grayling, go west to M-72, follow M-72 approximately 45 miles west through Kalkaska to Acme, follow Highway 31/72 south approximately 1/2 mile, turn south on Bunker Hill Road, go about 1/2 mile to Bartlett Road, and then follow Bartlett to the VASA trailhead parking. Map of local region:VASA Trailhead
Name of XC Area: VASA Trails Times that I have skied there: Weekly I last skied there in: Jan, 2003 Trails that I skied: all of them My favorite trails: vasa 25k Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Fair Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: no road crossings, good hills What I disliked: grooming is not always consistant. sometimes the grooming is done on a perfectly good trail base, and softens it up Comments: Submitted by: kjj from: michigan Date submitted: June 17, 2005
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