Black Mountain race changes; new course for skate race

Mon, Feb  23, 2026 - By John Gravlin

The Black Mountain Nordic Ski Races will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, at 10 a.m., at the Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Rd., Cheboygan, MI 49721.

A new 25 km distance for the Classic Race on Saturday and the addition of a 10km race option for reduced Michigan Cup Points for seniors 70 and older. The Classic Race is basically the same course as last year. We are eliminating the confusing 5km that we called the Bluffs loop. The 10 km classic course will use only the Cheboygan side of the system.

The Skate race on Sunday will feature a New 12km Skate Course located entirely on the Presque Isle Side of the trail system. After our survey last year, Denny Paull and I decided to offer a new skate course this year. We will be using only the Presque Isle Side of the system with zero road crossings. It will be shorter, but nobody said it had to be easier.

New course map for the 2026 Black Mountain Skate race (see red arrows)

This is the final weekend of Michigan Cup Individual Races

Part of the Michigan Cup, this Nordic skiing event is open to senior racers - there's no junior distance. The courses feature incredible rolling terrain and views of Black Lake and Lake Huron. Racers can choose from the Classic race on Saturday, the Freestyle on Sunday, or register for both. All races start at 10 a.m. Follow the link below for complete details. Registration and more information: https://www.skisignup.com/Race/MI/Cheboygan/BlackMountainMINordicRaces

Hope to see you all there.