Announcing a NEW route designed to open our cross-country ski season earlier on natural snow
Seeing frost on the ground and snowflakes in my head, thoughts quickly turn to real skiing. We’re hoping to welcome you back soon for another fantastic season of what we’ve all grown to love about ABR Ski Trails. And this year, we’re bringing some serious improvements.
Our biggest upgrade for the upcoming season is the construction of 7.5 kilometers of what we’re calling our Early Snow Loop. With two recent seasons cut short by low snow, this is our way of not only extending our season (both early and late) but also ensuring our survival through any tricky January thaws.
We are calling it “early snow” as getting out early and consistently is so important to so many of us, not just the high school, college and master-blaster racers – but to all of us wanting to rekindle that love of our sport gliding through the woods. Many of us have and hold dear our memories of skiing with family and friends after a hearty Thanksgiving meal or a festive holiday season. True to our mission of sustaining the ABR legacy, we want to help create those same feelings for the next generation of happy skiers.
We live and play in Big Snow Country because of the natural stuff, but sometimes, apparently, it needs a little help. We’re proud to be in the Midwest with great man-made snow options, but here, we are not giving up on the natural stuff. Our aim is to level, clear, drain, and seed this new loop to create what will look like a linear golf course, allowing us to ski on as little snow as possible and to maximize every snowflake.
Our Early Snow Loops have been carefully selected to follow trails that are both adjacent to each other and close to the trailhead. Importantly, we are also avoiding open south-facing areas and down-hills where snowplowing routinely pushes precious snow to the side.
What you will find this year is 7.5k of early season skiing on Cherry Dairy, Deer, upper Blueberry and upper Peltonen Pass. Planned for next season is another 5.5k consisting of out on River Trail and back on Tamarack Two-Track (to avoid two-way traffic in these low snow conditions). Reconditioning these trails is resource intensive, we are looking to raise funds to assist in our efforts through grants and donations, more information can be found on our Early Snow Loop page.
If you’re familiar with these trail segments, we hope that you will agree that they will offer something for all skiers, challenging hills for the racers, subtle terrain for everyone else.
Also planned for the near future will be to light as much of the Early Snow Loop as possible!
And who knows what the future holds? We’re already researching snow storage and maybe even some supplemental snow-making in the most challenging spots.
As for now, enjoy the fall, stay fit, and see you on the trails – soon!
Support the Early Snow Loop: Ski Sooner on natural snow!
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to that exhilarating first glide. By contributing to the Early Snow Loop, you’re not just supporting a trail; you’re investing in more ski days, more smiles, and a stronger, more vibrant skiing community. Help us unlock the winter season sooner.
Thank you for your passion for ABR Trails and your commitment to enhancing our shared winter experience.
Will Andresen
Will Andresen is currently serving as the ABR Trails Foundation President.
Will was captain of NMU’s 1983 national championship ski team, and skied ABR when it first opened in 1995. Today, Will is living in his home on the ABR trails, skiing every day the trails are open.
