Steve Kuhl from Traverse City.  The Keweenaw Trails web site at the left has tons of pictures. Check it out! - Mike Muha

547 skiers braved 0 degrees and 20-30 mph winds in the coldest and slowest Great Bearchase last Sunday. They suffered from frostbite to cold toes, but had a huge pile of pastries and pasties waiting for them at the high school. Check their times and their photos at www.keweenawtrails.com You'll see more duct tape than smiles on their faces!

The aid workers and other volunteers did a terrific job giving out warm Gatorade (when it didn't freeze in the cups), food, and moral support. They were out there standing in the cold for hours, and deserve as much congratulations as the racers.

The Swedetown chalet will be open daily through Sunday, March 23, then closed that week, and open for one final weekend March 29 and 30. The skiing will not close with the chalet, however. We'll groom till it's gone, and that could be quite awhile. Snow depths this weekend were between 27 and 31 inches. A little sun won't knock that down in any hurry. So when you see your yard bare and brown next month, head on up for some of the best skiing of the season.

A big thank you to all the skiers that made this season terrific. Swedetown worked closely with Maasto Hiihto, and the new MTU trails in advertising, occasionally swapping grooming equipment, and events. Some of us wondered if this area could support another top of the line XC ski area when Tech opened its trails. Pulling numbers from the computer this week showed record memberships at Maasto (KNSC), Swedetown (CICCSC), and a very good start at MTU. These three areas now serve over 1000 pass-holding skiers, and the good conditions here (and poor around the Midwest) brought in more out-of-towners than ever before. XC skiing is thriving in the Keweenaw.