Winter is upon the city, which signifies the onset of winter activities - like sledding in the Arb, snow fights and cross-country skiing. Cross-country skiing is a great cardiovascular exercise, using muscles throughout the body.
For those who are not ready to throw themselves down a steep hill, there is plenty of cross-country skiing to be done in and around Ann Arbor. It's a surprisingly cheap and physically beneficial activity.
"I've cross-country skied up in northern Michigan a lot," said Julie Haight, LSA sophomore, "two and a half to three hours from here at Higgins Lake. They have a bunch of trails that are really nice."
There are ungroomed trails at Bird Hills Park, Gallup Park, Buhr Park, Dolph Park, Saginaw Forest, Leslie Park golf course and Fuller Park. Students can rent all equipment at the University Outdoor Recreation Center, located in the North Campus Recreation Building.
The center rents the equipment in packages - including boots, poles and skis. The package rates are: $8 for adults and $6 for children all day; $16 for adults and $12 for children weekends (Friday through Monday); and $48 for adults and $36 for children all week. The center also rents snowshoes and toboggans. For those who want to get out of the Ann Arbor area, the center sponsors a few skiing trips.
"We have a trip that goes up near Grayling, to the Higgins Lake area - I believe it's private land," said Michelle Ferrarrase, a staff member at the University Recreation Center. "Around here, we like to go to the Pinckney Recreation Area, up towards Brighton." The center's hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m., and Friday, noon to 6 p.m. It is closed on Wednesdays.
"People can go to state and city parks," said Tom Rayburn, Wilderness Outfitters employee. "A lot of people like to go out to Radrick farms." Wilderness Outfitters also holds skiing trips.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
Cross-country skiing is a popular winter sport in Michigan.