Winter sports lovers have a little pep in their step this week.
For the first time in recent history, there’s been consistent snow to ski, sled and slide.
“It’s wonderful,” said Laura Ann Johnson, director of Friends of Sleeping Bear (FOSB), which grooms the Heritage Trail. “I moved north 15 years ago because I fell in love with winter.”
In the first 14 days of 2025, two feet of snow fell at the National Weather Service (NWS) weather station in Maple City.
However, at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center, the tally has been half that, possibly attributed to lake effect snow which falls in bands, rather than a blanket.
The largest total accumulation for one day in Maple City was recorded last Wednesday, Jan. 8 — 6.4 inches.
This has provided ample snow for grooming. From Empire to Glen Arbor, there’s about six inches of powder compacted to a 2-inch base.
“These are the best conditions for skate skiing on our trail so far,” Johnson said. “With more snow in the forecast, we’re optimistic that the base will continue to grow.”
The consistent snowfall comes after a back-and-forth weather pattern.
“Since Thanksgiving, with the exception of an extended warm-up around Christmas, conditions have been good for snow,” said Matt Gillen, NWS meteorologist located in Gaylord. “We haven’t had a January thaw and given the forecast …we won’t.”
After a brief warm-up later this week, temperatures are expected to plummet, ushering in temperatures in the single digits.
“Monday night could be the coldest day of the season so far,” Gillen said.
Sunday night, there is a chance of snow showers. And it will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 1.
Monday night, there’s a chance of snow showers with a low of 0.
“We’re going to have a 60 to 72-hour period with windchill below zero,” Gillen said. “At minus-15, it takes less than 30 minutes to get frostbite so if you do go out, bundle up.”
Mike Fleischman of Leland is a regular cross-country skier, who years ago participated in VASA races, signed up for the past two years. But in each of the years, the event was canceled all or most of the races, for lack of snow.
“I haven’t skied. My wife and I have a new puppy. I’ve taken long walks through the woods … but haven’t figured out time to ski.”
Meanwhile, FOSB volunteers are being kept busy grooming the trail from Empire to Pierce Stocking Drive; Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb; Crystal River View trailhead to Port Oneida.
This section be groomed again this year.
The newest section of the trail from Port Oneida Road to Bohemian Road is open for skiiing, but is not groomed.
Pets are not allowed on the designated cross-country ski trails from Dec. 1 through March 31.
The trail is also open to fattire bikes. However, FOSB would like to remind bikers about trail etiquette as follows:
• Don’t ride on the trail is conditions are too soft. If you are leaving a rut deeper than an inch, having a hard time riding in a straight line, or pushing you bike, the snow is too soft and you should not ride your bikes on the trail.
• Tires must be 3.7” or bigger and pressure must be under 5 psi.
