Bids Going Out; Ski Trail Improvement Begins
Click here for a map of the new trail system
HOUGHTON MI -- Michigan Technological University will take bids next week to begin improvements on its cross-country ski trail system. The trail, also used in the summer by bikers, hikers, and runners, will be closed for much of the summer.
This summer's improvements will include widening existing trails to accommodate the professional grooming equipment the university is purchasing, as well as lengthening the system to allow for more variety and the potential to host high-level college and public races, including NCAA and high school national qualifiers.
The expanded ski trail system is the first in a number of improvements planned for the 550-acre multi-recreational use area, located adjacent to the university's athletic complex. "Michigan Tech is one of only four colleges and universities in the country we know of with a cross-country ski trail on campus," said Mike Abbott, manager of recreation at the university.
In addition to hiring a company to provide the necessary selective logging and related heavy equipment work, university officials have lined up more than 10,000 volunteer hours to rake and seed the trails and perform other labor-intensive operations.
"This fits with our intent that this serve as a community resource," Abbott said. "We have also met with neighbors and others with concerns about the project. Those meetings have resulted in some changes in the trail layout.
"With the ski trails," Abbott continued, "our goal is to minimize the visual impact of the selective logging and to maintain a canopy, which will improve late-season skiing. We will also do some erosion control and remediation on the existing trail."
Abbott said he wants the trail work done before the beginning of the fall semester so returning students can begin using the new area.
While the trail improvements came about to support Michigan Tech's nationally-competitive Nordic ski team, the concept has evolved into a 550-acre outdoor recreation area to help attract and retain outdoor-minded students. The university's strategic plan has identified such students as key to Michigan Tech's enrollment efforts.