Marathon

Length – 15 km

Cross-Country track set – 15 km
Skate Skiing  groomed – 15 km
Night Skiing – 5 km
Snowshoe trail – 5 km

Skill – All levels, Snowshoeing is intermediate

Terrain – flat sections, rolling hills, winding, challenging hills beyond the beginner loops

Hours – anytime, night skiing, closed below – 20C

Fee –  Adult pass $10, snowshoe $5 (1/2 if you stay at a local hotel)

Trail Map – signs & maps at junctions, no paper map

Facilities – parking, chalet, waxing area, rentals, lessons, snacks, warming cabins

Highlights – wilderness, scenic, lookout over the town and Lake Superior, waterfalls on the Cascade loop

Phone – 807 229 1392

Website –  Marathon Ski Club

Current Conditions  Facebook page

Similar Trails –  Walden

Local Clubs –   Marathon Ski Club

Access –  South of Hwy 17 on Peninsula Dr., entrance is at the Peninsula Golf Course. Drive to the chalet. Trails are beyond the golf greens

On the north shores of Lake Superior one can find 15 km of good trail just outside the small town of Marathon. Though short in length, most are challenging on skis or by snowshoe.

With plenty of snow up here and a longer season, Nordic sports are an active local pastime.

This club offers visitors both cross-country and skate skiing on all the trails with grooming and plenty of gear rentals.

During the summer this is a local golf course. Only a small amount of the beginner 7.4 km Jackrabbit trails use the flat golf greens. The rest is winding, sheltered boreal forest trekking pleasure.

So expect twisty, hilly loops beyond the golf course as the terrain slopes up.

Since days get dark early up here, there is 5 km of trail lit for night skiing (and some snowshoeing) everyday… except when it hits – 20C,  then the lights go out, and everyone stays home.

There are 4 loops totalling 5 km of Snowshoe track to stomp on. Much of it has climbing and is rated for the fit intermediate – advanced crowd. Your rewards are three great views at the lookout points.

With the town of Marathon just around the corner, lodging and food are to be had. I saw that hotels may offer ½ price trail passes too. (not sure which)

This seems to be a great spot to try and one day I may. It was beautiful the other summer I drove to Thunder Bay (which it is closer to than even Sault Ste Marie.) So start making car trip plans.

Note: I have yet to visit this location and am posting these details to inform you and not as a full review. The club has supplied me with some information and images. I invite you to check them out and then leave your own review below.