FUN in the forecast at the White Pine

Fri, Feb  5, 2010 - By Pete Edwards

The White Pine Stampede 20k and 40k Races Utilize the cross country ski trails at Shanty Creek Resorts’ Summit Village, Cedar River Village and Schuss Mountain! Three unique Villages and exceptional cross country skiing.

My favorite ski outing of 2009 took place out on the trails at Shanty Creek Resorts. My 12-year-old son Keefer and I skated the mega loop (plus some bonus side trails) that connects the three Shanty Creek Villages – The Summit, Cedar River and Schuss Mountain. The grooming was fantastic.

The 2010 White Pine includes some of these same trails – including Frog Holler and the Mountain Creek Trail. Racers in the 40K get to ski both Frog Holler and Mountain Creek trails. The 20K racers will hit Frog Holler trail.

Steve Kershner, Director of Snowsports at Shanty Creek Resorts, enthusiastically ensured me on Feb. 4th that the cross country trails at The Shanty Creek Resorts are groomed and the cross country skiing is "PHENOMENAL"!

I checked with the all-star staff today at White Pine HQ and was assured that the fields, meadows and trails between Mancelona and Shanty Creek Resorts benefited from the recent new snow and were looking great too!

Those lucky enough to spend additional time at the Shanty Creek Resorts have a chance to explore the network of cross country trails, two separate downhill ski hills, swimming poles, tubing and some pretty exceptional restaurants.

Last year, after Keefer and I cross country skied the "mega loop", he spent the next two days having FUN on snow – cross country and downhill. The downhill runs at the Summit are as family-friendly as it gets and lift tickets are only $10.00 – a part of the 40th Anniversary Party at Shanty Creek Resorts. At Schuss Mountain the terrain is varied – easy cruising to super steep. Both ski hills have terrain parks. The Terrain Park at Schuss is bigger with more jumps and rails.

My favorite Lower Michigan ski run is off Schuss’s pink chairlift – Surprise. Surprise is narrow and very New England-like.

And then there is NASTAR ski racing. I would have preferred to cross country ski the mega loop again on our 2nd day at Shanty Creek, but Keefer was begging to downhill at Schuss Mountain – the terrain park and NASTAR were calling him. He got his gold on the NASTAR course, spent a ton of time in the terrain park and we spent a lot of time riding the pink chair and skiing Surprise. That day proved to be my favorite alpine day of the year.

I hope everyone has as much FUN at the White Pine Stampede as Keefer and I had on our last trip to Shanty Creek Resorts.