Michigan State High School Cross Country Skiing Championships

The Michigan State High School Cross Country Skiing Championships will be hosted by the Superiorland Ski Club at the Forestville Trailhead on Friday February 19 and Saturday February 20.  The SSC encourages the ski community to come out and cheer on the racers for these events.  We have 90 registered high school racers from Marquette, Ironwood, Houghton, Traverse City, Petoskey and a guest team from Soo Canada this year, making it an international event as well as a State meet.  Volunteers are working hard along with NTN groomers to prepare good race course using the Noque, Boozhoo, Gookookoo, Migizi, Bagwaji and Chiwaji trail sections. The course maps and profiles will be posted on line on the SSC web site (www.superiorlandskiclub.com) and will also be on the bulletin board in the pole barn.

We ask that skiers using the trails respect the race courses and events (schedules below).  During the events the race courses will be closed to other skiers.

The Animoosh trail will remain open to skiers and spectators during the races.  There is a short section (about 200 meters) under the power line at the Lake Superior overlook where the Animoosh and Noque trails converge.  There will be pin flags along this section – please stay outside of the flags while skiing through that section during the races.  Also, if you enjoy skiing with your dog on Animoosh, please consider leaving them home during the races, or instead use the Tourist Park trailhead for dog walking during the races.

Schedule of Events:

Friday Feb 19.  Classic Sprints

Course:  Stadium and Boozhoo Sprint Loop (1.1 km)

Times:  2:00 – 2:45 Qualifiers

3:00 – 6:00 pm Elimination Rounds

Saturday Feb 20.  Freestyle/Classic Pursuit

Courses:  5 km and 6 km (Stadium, Noque, Gookookoo, Migizi, Bagwaji, Chiwaji, and Boozhoo loop)

Times:  10 am – 12 pm Freestyle Individual Starts

3 pm – 5:30 pm Classic Pursuit

The NTN announces the 2010 Snowshoe Challenge.
The Snowshoe Challenge is a non-race competition based out of the Forestville Trailhead, free to all members of the NTN.

It is a backcountry event with minimal usage of the groomed trails, allowing exploration  of the great terrain around the trailhead.  In addition to snowshoeing, it incorporates aspects of geocaching and a scavenger hunt.  There will be a small non-monetary prize for the winner.

Details:  the course-
Every 1-2 weeks a new course will be marked using a combination of temporary signs
and ribbons. Participants will sign in at the trailhead and be directed to the starting
point. The course will wind in the woods across varying terrain, including potentially
very rugged terrain. Participants will be able to give feedback about the length and
difficulty of the course and subsequent courses will be adjusted based on that feedback.

Along the trail there will be a designated number of waypoints. Each waypoint will have a posted question that participants will answer by e-mail. Waypoints can be found easily by following along the trail or, for those who choose, GPS coordinates of the waypoints will be provided and participants can navigate directly to the waypoints in the manner of geocaching.

the competition-
At each waypoint there will be a sign posted with a question. After completion of the
course, participants will submit their answers to these questions via e-mail. The winner of the competition will be the participant who answers the highest number of questions correctly over the course of the competition.  Notification of placement of a new course will be made on the NTN website;  in addition, once registered, participants will be notified by e-mail of a new course. In the event of a tie, the winner will be selected by a drawing from among those tied with the most correct answers.

For more information see our snowshoechalFAQ sheet.  More details to follow soon.

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The Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) presented the Charter Township of Marquette a $1000.00 donation at the township’s special Planning Commission meeting on (2/3/2010) at 6:30PM.  The meeting was held to seek public input on the Township’s plan to purchase a parcel of land to expand Schwemwood Park and establish Trailhead #9 on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.  The meeting was held at the Marquette Township Center at 161 County Road 492.  The Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing, maintaining, signing, and mapping a non-motorized land and water trail network throughout Marquette and Alger Counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

January- 14 paid and volunteer groomers meet at the Forestville Trailhead to discuss grooming quality, practices, and equipment.  The group discussed several topics but providing the best possible grooming and skier experience was at the top of the list.  After the roundtable the attendees watched and discussed the ABR Grooming tactics video.  NTN Ski trails represented at the summit included:  Forestville, Fit Strip, Blueberry Ridge, Saux Head, Tourist Park, and Valley Spur. The paid and volunteer groomers that made time to attend the summit are below, if you see them on the trail or around town, please make sure to thank them for their time and efforts.

Thanks,

Michael Sauer,

NTN Ski Operations

Andrew Beck

Dan Jahnke

Craig Stein

Mike Cousineu

Nate Demurs

Aaron Stoudt

Doug Weesen

John Swanberg

Larry Lawless

Bob Cisluycis

Greg Borzick

Mick Kipela

Paul Johnston

Michael Sauer

Cross country ski enthusiasts in the Marquette are gearing up for pre-season festivities to get the community ready for snow. The Superiorland Ski Club and the Noquemanon Trail Network are partnering with local ski shops to host Club Nights.

Down Wind Sports Club Night is October 29 2009 from 6-9pm. Down Wind will have discounts on clothing, wax and crazy discounts on ski orders. The skis will be race flex selected by Rossignol Race Room.

Sports Rack Club Night is November 12 2009 from 6-9pm. The Sports Racks experienced staff specializes in fitting each member of your family with the correct equipment, as well as offering discounts on all ski equipment clothing wax nutrition and accessories.

The Noquemanon Trail Network and the Superiorland Ski Club will be offering discount memberships for the trail network and information on youth ski programs.

Also mark your calendars for these other winter skiing events:
• Superiorland Ski Club Ski Swap and Sale November 21 2009 Holiday Inn Marquette.

• The Noquemanon Trail Network Annual Snowball December 4 2009 Upfront & Company Marquette.

• Big Bay Pathway Membership Drive and Social December 17, 2009 at the Thunder Bay Inn, Big Bay from 7-10pm featuring local bluegrass music and door prizes. Season Passes On Sale!

• Valley Spur Ski Bash January 9 2010 Munising, MI

• MGHS Noquemanon Ski Marathon January 30 2010 Ishpeming Negaunee to Marquette, MI.

• The Honey Bear Classic February 27 2010 in Big Bay MI.

• Valley Spur Taste and Glide March 6 2010 Munising MI

• Valley Spur Snowman Triathlon & Ski Loppett March 13 2010 Munising MI

For more information on any of these events please call 906.235.6861