• Thursday-What'sUP December 30 - 09:57 pm

Cross country skiing in the Keweenaw... it doesn't get any better than this! Brita Haapala strapped on her skis and headed to Swedetown so she could bring us a couple shots of the powdered trails. I've done my share of squealing while heading down that same hill in the top picture, so I'm wondering if Brita took the picture and then headed back to the trail that takes you on a detour around that hill. I'm betting she strapped her camera tightly to her and took the plunge! No matter which track you take on The Swedetown trails, you'll find breathtaking scenes such as Brita's second shot along the way... a winter wonderland at its best.

Good morning and what a beautiful and exhilarating picture to start the day with! Miss those beautiful trails and snow even more.

mmmmSnow

very beautiful.

better her than me. cross country skiing seems way too much
like work!

Beautiful pictures Brita - sure makes me anxious to get my skis on!

Ah, yes, nordic skiing in the UP. After 5 years at NMU I learned to cross country ski and have been addicted ever since. We sure don't get the high quality volume of snow that you get up there in God's country, but we do ok down here in Gaylord. If you've never experienced a "race" go and watch the Noquemanon in Marquette, the great Bear Chase in Houghton (calumet?) or the Wolverine races in Ironwood. The UP produces some of the country's best cross country skiers !

Gorgeous pictures! Sure am jealous of your snow - we're expecting rain, so I've yet to get the skis up from the basement. Still waiting for the lake effect to step in and save the day - until then I'll just have to live vicariously thru your site!

There's no better exercise than x-country skiing! (Well, just a biased opinion since it's my favorite sport.) Especially when you cut your own trails; rather challenging at times, but most definitely worth the effort. My chiropractor will attest to that! Ahhh, the fresh air. Forty-five wooded acres with ravines and flat land: cost a pretty penny. Years of exploring in all seasons: priceless.

Beautiful pictures, beautiful snow,
We will be in the upper 60's today, so pictures are the only way we see snow, with out leaving the state.

I HAVE SOME CURVED, OLD , ASH , FINNISH SKI S THAT NEED STRAIGHTENING. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I THOT ABOUT CUTTING THE BEND OUT OF THEM. { THERE GREAT FOR GOING IN CIRCLES NOW} HO HO

Hello uncle dan& family,have a happy New Year & All U-PURR'S also. Go Whis Kids

Oof! Great photos, but Flying Hill made my head swim! Strapping on polished bits of wood -- with wax to make them even slipperier -- and edging to the precipice, teetering for a moment, then plunging to certain death ... I'll pass! Skiing makes my preservation instinct kick into overdrive. Now if I was actually good at it, that might be different. I like snowshoes: your feet mostly stay where you put them and your bones all stay whole and inside your skin. But rah! to you skiers out there; you have my admiration!

What beautiful winter pictures this week. Of course, the U.P. is gorgeous any time of the year. I'm feeling pretty good today because I made pasties yesterday for the first time. I served them to my family last night, and guess what? There wasn't a crumb left on any plate, so I guess that's not too bad for a "troll". Have a great day everyone.

Hmmmm I think that Flying Hill is the same one on which my wife nearly ran over John Norcross. John crashed and Mary Ann took off too soon. All turned out OK though.

Just Beautiful, Tinksno! Less than 3 hrs to go then to the U.P. we go! Happy new year everyone.
CP in Kazoo - Hope you get those skis out soon. Will be thinking of you while on the trail. Ever been to the Trenary Ice Caves?

Good morning from cloudy/sunny/rainy San Jose.

That second picture is GORGEOUS!! Wish I was there!

Hey!! I love today's picts as yesterday I watched my three teens "fly" over that hill and then crawled over it myself! And as we speak (write?) we are all putting on our gear to take those trails agian before the forcased RAIN and ICE come!!!

ForCASTED...opps

Love 'em both. Great shots. Glad someone got up to snap them.

beautiful pics. Its a great place to spend an afternoon. Spent many of Sunday afternoons skiing there with my parents. Last year this coming weekend was the last time my dad skied at Sweedtown. He passed away Monday January 5, 2004. He enjoyed the workout and the natural beauty the trails offered. I always had a hard time keeping up with him. We miss him dearly.

With all of this freezing rain we are getting, we will be lucky to have any snow left here at all. Sure looks beautiful in the picture!

I am sooooo envious of all your beautiful snow. After 12+ inches (a lot for us) last Wednesday/Thursday its close to 50° today - its going fast. Its not fair! After putting up with the summer humidity the snow ought to stick around for at least a couple of months. As always, thanks to all for sharing your wonderful pictures.

Great pictures of the snow. It is warm here down-
state and it appears we will be losing all of our
snow. 45 degrees today and 50 degrees tommorrow.

I like to show my condolence to the family of Evelyn Lanctot Turnquest as she was a girl i went to St Cecilia School with . a very nice girl.
Therese Dulong Dimet

warm water for a while then reshape them

Mike, Howell: my sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your father.

Justin J-Brighton: What and Where are the Trenary Ice Caves??

We have just returned from the Sierras in CA...white Christmas for the kiddos and we got out in the nick of time as they are having a major dumping of snow....I still miss the U.P. this time of year but Truckee helps ease it:)

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. You can't get a bad picture out there on the trails. And yes, I took the flying hill. FUN!

It's way too cold and nasty up there for me; however, I bet the snowmobiles and skiers are out there having a ball! I'll have to keep my visiting for the summer months. The bridge cam looks pretty neat....we've enjoyed watching from afar. Hey downstate don, are you out there? What's up?

Oh, talk about homesick!
I just discovered your website this morning, while doing some UP history research. Now I won't be able to tear myself away.
I've spent the past three winters in Scotland, am looking right now at green grass. The only white I see is sheep. I want snow!

Jean in W. Texas, I agree! We live about an hour from Truckee, and spent the last few days in Yosemite. What a wonderful place -- snow and we didn't even have to shovel! We got out just in time, too -- they closed the road hours after we left. Came home to pouring rain (we need it) and with lots of wonderful memories...