Events
The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club
The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club grooms the Maasto Hiihto and Churning Rapids trail systems in Hancock Michigan. These ski trails are operated and maintained through a joint agreement between the club and the city of Hancock.
KNSC was founded in 1997 and promotes the sport of cross country skiing in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan for both youth and adults.
Maasto Hiihto Trail
Maasto Hiihto, which means “cross country skiing” in Finnish, is a striding-only trail system that offers kilometer after kilometer of unsurpassed skiing on varied and scenic trails. The trail system connects with the Churning Rapids trails. The two systems contain about 25 kilometers of groomed trails (see the trail map for details)
Snowshoeing is encouraged; there are many single track trails to follow, or on the side of the ski trails, as long as snowshoes do not step on set ski tracks.
The scenery on these trails is exceptionally varied and often breathtaking. Highlights include vistas of Portage Lake, Ruby Marsh, Swedetown Creek, mature forests, and pleasant meadows.
Two trailheads provide access to Maasto Hiihto: one at the Chalet on the Houghton County fairgrounds, and the other at Tomasi Road near the Hancock city garage, north of Portage Health.
Churning Rapids Trail
Churning Rapids provides a true backcountry experience, with striding-only trails accessed from Maasto Hiihto or from a trailhead at Christensen Road at M-203, north of Hancock. Trails wind through the John Christensen wildlife preserve. A 15-foot high observation tower provides wonderful views of Lake Superior; a scenic meadow trail leads to the beaver pond, and more trails wind thru the diverse woodlands. (see the trail map for details)
This Season’s KNSC Events! 2012-13
Fall WORK BEEs! begin at 10am at the Tomasi Trailhead:
Saturday 9/8/12
Sunday 9/16/12
Saturday 10/6/12
Sunday 10/21/12
Monthly moon/fire ski; Saturdays: 11/24/12, 12/29/12, 1/26/13, 2/23/13, March ski cancelled; Tomasi trailhead, 6:30 pm, fire @ 7 pm, Arlyn Aronson.9o6.487-9229
Pine Tar Clinic, Sunday, 11/18/12, Hancock Chalet, 1 pm-3, Jay Green.9o6.487-5411 (how to apply pine tar to wood ski bases as a moisture barrier and in very cold weather as a “wax”)
CANCELLED! Waiting for more snow! Candle Luminary Ski, Saturday, 1/12/13, Hancock Chalet, 6 – 8 pm, Glen Archer.9o6.482-4957
Barnelopet, Sunday, 2/10/13, Hancock Chalet, registration begins at 1 pm, all ages line up to race by 2pm, beginning with the youngest at 2 pm, Wayne Stordahl.9o6.482-0292
click here for: BarnelopetRegistration2013
Pine Tar Clinic, Monday, 2/11/13, Hancock Chalet, 7pm-9, Jay Green.9o6.487-5411 (how to apply pine tar to wood ski bases as a moisture barrier and in very cold weather as a “wax”)
Retro SkiFest, Saturday, 2/16/13, Churning Rapids, Jay Green.9o6.487-5411 Join Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) and Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) at Churning Rapids for some old time skiing. On the afternoon of Saturday February 16th between Noon and 3 PM skiers will gather at the Triangle. Knickers, wool sweaters, wood skis and bamboo poles are not required but skiers are encouraged to use them if they have them. Skiing too will be the old way – breaking trail in the woods! Click here for more info!
Glide ‘n Gorge, Sunday, 3/3/13, Hancock Chalet, Noon – 3 pm, Candi Silvola.9o6.482-4578
Annual meeting will be April 17th at 6:30 at the Mine Shaft in Houghton. Bowling at KNSC expense; food and beverage at participants expense. Short business meeting to elect new board and maybe address a few other issues. All interested persons are encouraged to attend!
For more area outdoor events and ski trails, visit Keweenaw Trails!
NEW!!! NEW!!!
Have our Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club LOGO put on your duds!!
NEW!!!
Have our Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club LOGO put on your duds!!
The KNSC has made our beautiful LOGO available at Superior Monogramming in Ripley for you to have embroidered onto any item you take into them! Check out their webpage to see all the color and size and material options for the KNSC Logo! So bring your garments, caps, hats, scarf or whatever to Superior Monogramming at 49112 Arcadian Street in Ripley to have the KNSC logo added; cost depending on the size of the logo, for under $14.00
For more area outdoor events and ski trails, visit Keweenaw Trails!
