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Ingham County awaits snow, opens new cross-country ski trails

January 17, 2001

Paul Moen remembers it was only a few weeks ago when he saw students cross-country skiing around campus between finals.

But Moen, a junior officer of the MSU Ski Club, said things aren’t as fun anymore.

“The mood around here is pretty dismal,” the finance sophomore said. “The weather is so warm, and everything is melting, so everyone is in a bad mood.”

Despite the recent warm-up that has left skiers with cabin fever, Ingham County and the City of Lansing have opened a new stretch of cross-country skiing trails beginning at Hawk Island County Park, 1601 Cavanaugh Road, and stretching through Scott Woods Park and Sycamore Golf Course in Lansing.

Moen said although many college students seem to prefer downhill skiing, cross-country skiing is a sport that could catch on quickly, especially with trails so nearby.

“If they knew more about it, I would think more people would get involved in it,” Moen said. “ I think it could be pretty popular, like a little extra-curricular activity.”

Willis Bennett, the winter sports coordinator for Ingham County Parks, said although the trails may look muddy now, he expects them to be well-groomed and well-used during these winter months.

“We’re hoping for a little more fresh snow here,” Bennett said. “We’re at the mercy of Mother Nature a lot of the time.”

The skiing trails will add to those already open at Lake Lansing Park in Haslett and Burchfield Park in Holt. Each one of the cross-country skiing trails is relatively flat, making it possible for inexperienced skiers to give it a try. The new trails also provide exits and entries during the route for skiers who are not ready to go the entire 3.8 miles.

The new cross-country ski trails open at 10 a.m. and close at sunset. Ingham County plans to offer a moonlight ski on Friday evenings in the future. During moonlight ski times, the trails will be lit up and will remain open until 9 p.m.

Bennett said the trails have been popular among students, providing entertainment at a small price. Cross-country skiing equipment rental costs $6 on weekdays and $11 on weekends for adults. Equipment rental for children is always $6.

“It’s cheaper than going to the movies,” Bennett said. “And it’s a wonderful way to get exercise. It’s a well known fact you burn a lot of calories out there skiing.”

Tom Page, an associate professor of marketing and avid winter sports player, said cross-country skiing is one of the greatest workouts he’s ever had.

“It will be 15 degrees outside, and in five minutes you’ll be sweating like a pig,” Page said. “It’s a good winter time sport, and it’s a real, real good workout.”

Page, who often skies at the other cross-country trails in Ingham County, said the new trail will provide some much-needed diversity for skiers, as soon as the weather warms up.

“I won’t always go to the same place now,” Page said. “With the temperatures we’ve had, the snow turns slushy, and that’s no fun to ski in. But, I like variety.”

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