Many times I am asked as the groomer, "what are my favorite trail loops to ski on". I do have many favorites since I've been on every trail so many times going in every direction. Here are a couple to get you started.
The 5km Loop
I'll start with my favorite 5km loop which takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete depending on your speed and the trail conditions. The loop runs entirely on easy trails, with enough rolls in them to make it interesting. Most importantly this is the first ski loop that we groom every day. On big snow days we groom this loop first to make sure it is open before we go onto any other trails. I like to ski this loop counter-clockwise because of the direction you go up and down the hills.
At the trail head ski out to the field and head toward the wood sheds and junction 2. From there you head up into the woods on a long easy climb to get to the top ridge on the east side. This is also the quickest way to get out of the wind and into the woods, and with the hill climb you get warmed up first thing.
From here to the half way point, stay right at every junction. Another reason I like to steer first timers out on this loop - easy directions. At the top of the loop, from junction 15 to 14 there is a good downhill right before you get to 14 and cross the VAST trail. Please exercise a little caution here listening for snowmobiles and being ready to stop if necessary. Going across the VAST trail bear to your left and head down to junction 21 where you will turn left and head south, parallel to the VAST trail. At junction 23 bear right (or take a break and check out the Stone Circle), at 11 go straight across and you will be on the east side pond trail for the rest of the way home. Between 11 and 25 there is another good downhill where you have to fit between two big trees. Once you get back out to the field, it's an easy downhill run in to the barnyard. Here's a map with the 5K loop highlight with a thick brown line.
The 10km Loop
When I want to do a tour of all four quadrants of the forest I'll head out on this 10km loop which takes anywhere from 75 to 100 minutes. The loop covers a wide variety of trails and intermediate skiing skills and stamina are required. I like to ski this one counter-clockwise also to enjoy the hills in the right way.
The first part of the loop starts out just like the 5Km loop which is a nice way to get warmed up and climb easily into the trail network. At the top of the 5Km loop, just as you cross the VAST trail, turn north on it for about 10 yards then bear left back onto the ski trail heading northwest to trail junction 20. From here just stay on the ski trail as you head north and then west through an open field with big views to the south.
As you cross the north bridge you will see a larger than normal beaver pond, and at the next junction turn hard right and you will ski along the edge of the pond up to the far north end of the trail network. The trail stays pretty level for a while now back to junction 34 where you turn left or south. At junctions 40 and 41 you have a choice - you can take the toughest trail section in the forest down and up some very steep hills or take a more intermediary set of trails. Early in the season I tend toward the intermediary trails and later in the season once I have my ski legs I'll go for the tough ones. So lets head through 40 to 41 and then south. From 39 to 44 is one of my favorite parts of the forest - a beautiful hardwood valley with long site lines and a great stand of older hardwoods - maple, ash, birch, and beech trees all around. At 44 we have created a new trail that is a nice gentle climb up to 46 keeping you on the west side trail network. There is a good hill heading down to 32, then a flat section, and a steep hill climb back up to 31.
Now we are starting one of my favorite mini-loops that is like a roller coaster with lots of small ups and downs. I really like to ski this mini-loop in the clockwise direction. The hills really work for you with the climbs not seeming that strenuous and the downhills lots of fun. At the south end as you enter the big field if you want to add another km then do the field loop - it's exactly 1 km around. Heading back into the woods on the western most trail there are some really nice downhills working for you as you wind your way back to junction 31 in the clearing area before a final stretch home.
OK you have been skiing for a while now and it's time to get your big reward - a long sweeping downhill all the way to the big bridge at the north end of the pond. There's one good turn to negotiate at 33 as you are flying down the hill and have to carve toward the right. Depending on your skill level just moderate your speed to get through this area with no spills so you can carry your speed as far as possible. From the north end of the pond head up to the east side pond trail and coast into the finish for a well deserved ski.
