Maasto Hiihto & Churning
Rapids Trails
KNSC
offers youth skiing scholarships!
Barnelopet (children's races) coming February 7. Download this PDF for information and registration.
Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids
trail pass can
either be purchased alone or as part of the
multipass
for area trails.
See photos show of the trail
by Jay Woodbeck (1/31/07)
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The 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 The Portage Health System. The Houghton County
fairgrounds site is indicated on this
city
map.
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The Chalet is open daylight
hours and includes bathrooms, a community room and a waxing
bench.
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Churning
Rapids provides a true backcountry experience, with
striding-only trails accessed from Maasto Hiihto or from a
trailhead at Christiansen Road at M-203, North of Hancock. Trails wind through the
John Christiansen 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.
GROOMING:
Maasto
Hiihto and Churning Rapids trails are groomed three times a
week or more as needed. Grooming comments or questions can be
directed to our lead groomer, Arlyn Aronson, at
arlyn@superiortandems.com or call weekdays at (906)
370-2911.
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Trail maps
are available at both trailheads and in the Chalet.
Trail Pass:
Everyone
is welcome to ski on the Maasto Hiihto trails. The club's
main source of income is season and daily membership passes.
Please take the time to either pay for a daily membership (at
the red donation pipes at both trail heads) or a buy a season
membership pass by going to the
multipass website. A pass for just Maasto Hiihto/Churning
Rapids costs $50 for families
and $35 for individuals. Combining passes to multiple trails
allows you to reduce the amount you pay for each.
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The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club: KNSC was founded in 1997. The
club promotes the sport of cross-country skiing in the Keweenaw
Peninsula of Michigan for both youth and adults. They adopted
the Maasto Hiihto trails, and help provide expertly groomed ski
trails and facilities. The Maasto Hiihto and Churning Rapids ski
trails are operated and maintained through a joint agreement
between the Club and the city of Hancock. The club generally meets the
third Wednesday of each month (except June/July) at 6:30 in the
Chalet at the Maasto Hiihto trailhead at the Houghton County
Fairgrounds; with the annual meeting in April. Meeting
notice is sent via the KNSC e-list. |
KNSC Newsletter:
December 2009
KNSC Tri-Fold, application:
2009-10
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KNSC 2010 Events:
(for more info, see
newsletter above)
Saturday, January 30th,
Heikinpaiva, A Finnish Celebration! Parade starts at 11 am
at the East end of Hancock Street and proceeds to the Finnish
American Heritage Center. Please join the KNSC in walking in the
parade! There will be free skiing at the Maasto Hiihto trails
this weekend as part of the celebration.
Sunday, February 7th,
reg 1 pm, ski at 2 pm: Barneløpet, a children's ski event!
Refreshments will be served courtesy of Portage Health Systems
and all participants will receive a medal courtesy of the
Ulseth Lodge Sons
Of Norway.
Download this PDF for complete information and registration. Wayne Stordahl 482-0292
wr.emstordz@sbcglobal.net
will be organizing this event if you can help out or donate
items!
You can view last year pics:
2009 Barnelopet video! and 2009 Barnelopet pictures
Sunday, March 7th, 1-3 pm: Glide N' Gorge, a family ski & eat
event! A big thank you for the food that will again be donated
by The Library Restaurant & Brew Pub, Keweenaw Coop, Downwind
Sports, Cross Country Sports and
others! Candi Silvola 482-4578
cjsilvola@chartermi.net
will be organizing this event if you can help out or
donate food items!
You can view last year pics: 2009 Glide N' Gorge pics
We would like to thank the local
Girl Scouts from Troops 5268 and 5197
led by Gail Neufeld with
support from Terry Kinzel and Sue Ellen Kingsley
for making and installing 86 oak signs
and 12 map boxes this summer, 2009, to our trails!
Click here to read
about their project and view pictures of the Girl Scouts
working on this wonderful project!
We would also like to thank Terry
Kinsel for providing the funds in
2009 to purchase a 4000 lb winch for the Rhino UTV! And Arlyn
installed it for them this Fall.
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MEMBERS: Please support the KNSC
by becoming a member or volunteering your Time and Skills with
trail maintenance or fundraising or grant writing or materials
or providing snacks for laborers, mapping, signing, posters,
event planning and set up, mechanics, or any number of ways as
outlined in our
newsletter.
Please contact Arlyn or another officer if you can help in any
way! |
DONATIONS NEEDED! This year, we would
like to raise funds to winterize our Rhino 4 wheeler to help
make it a Rescue Vehicle, total price approximately $11,000 so
any ideas on how to raise these funds for such an important
function would be greatly appreciated! Other financial and
project needs and
opportunities are outlined in the
newsletter.
The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club is pleased
to say that
we offer
ski sponsorships to local youth.
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Kai Sharp and Jay
Woodbeck
receive funds from KNSC
for 2009 JO travel expenses. |
Other Copper Country youth skiers have
participated in the Junior Olympics over the years,
click here to read their
stories and pictures!
The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club
is incorporated as a
non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation in the State of Michigan.
KNSC ByLaws
Maasto Hiihto and Churning Rapid
trail maintenance and grooming are largely funded by your multipass
purchases, donations, and by the
City of Hancock. You
can buy a trail pass, or a multipass, supporting the club by going to the
multipass page. The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club also receives partial funding from
the Keweenaw Community Foundation's Keweenaw Cross Country
Skiing Endowment. You may also donate to KNSC via the KCF endowment.
We are grateful for all of yoursupport!
KNSC volunteer webmaster:
Connie
Julien
updated
12/18/2009
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