Cross-Country Skiing in Grand Rapids

One of the great thing about Grand Rapids is the city’s close proximity to wildlife, nature, and beautiful outdoor scenes.

You can easily find yourself in a winter wonderland within minutes of downtown Grand Rapids, making it an ideal location for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing excursions for the whole family.

If you’re interested in cross-country skiing, but don’t know where to start, take a look at these tips for jumpstarting the fun winter activity:

Is cross-country skiing for me?

Cross-country skiing is a great activity for just about everyone, including kids and seniors. Unlike downhill skiing, which can be intimidating without an introductory lesson or two, cross-country is more a learn-as-you-go sport, and easy for beginners to pick up.

If you’re used to hiking, walking or other basic forms of physical activity, you should be able to get the hang of cross-country skiing fairly quickly. Check out a few YouTube instructional videos before you head out – and if you can get a more experienced friend to accompany you on your first trek, all the better.

What kind of equipment do I need?

Cross-country skiing equipment consists of boots, skis, and poles. This equipment can be purchased or rented at a variety of outdoor gear and sports stores in Kent County.

Daily, weekend or weekly rentals for adult ski sets are available at Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus for as low as $25 per day. Keep in mind, the gear is easy to transport and can fit in small cars, too.

Rentals are available in-store on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited availability. For general rental or availability questions, call 616-458-1684. Be sure to especially call ahead during times of low snow, as rentals may be limited depending on weather and trail conditions. 

Layering clothes is key for cross-country skiing adventures. Choose a moisture-wicking base and a light, water-resistant outer layer to withstand elements and for maximum comfort. Cross-country skiing generates a lot of heat, and you’ll want to be able to adjust layers as you go. Go-to clothing items include running tights, light gloves, and a hat.

Where can I cross-country ski in Kent County?

Participants can cross-country ski on water or on land. Here are some of the most frequented locations for cross-country skiing in Kent County:

On frozen water:

If you’re new to cross-country skiing, you may want to start out on a relatively flat piece of land, such as a frozen body of water. Reed’s Lake in East Grand Rapids is a perfect spot once the ice freezes over, which normally occurs mid-January.

Before stepping foot on frozen ice, you’ll want to make sure that it’s safe and completely frozen. At Reed’s Lake, look for ice shanties and people ice fishing – if they’re on the water, it’s likely that the ice conditions are safe to cross-country ski on, too.

To ensure the ice is completely frozen and safe for cross-country skiing, bring a spud bar (a long metal bar with a pointed end), to test the depth of the frozen ice.  

Make sure there are at least four inches of frozen ice on any body of water to ensure the sturdiness of the ice and overall safety. If you're unsure for any reason, don't go out on the ice.

On land:

Here are a few of the many Kent County trails that are ideal for cross-country skiing, in order of distance from downtown Grand Rapids:  

Millennium Park
1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534

Millennium Park, just ten minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, has nearly 18 miles of trails in several loops through extensive, mostly flat natural areas. Some sections are groomed for skiing when weather permits.

Wahlfield Park
6811 Alpine Ave, Alpine Township, MI 49321

Visit Wahlfield Park in Alpine Township if you’re looking for an intermediate skiing experience. Trails are a mix of hills and flatlands, creek valley, and open fields. The trails are not groomed and may also be used for fat biking. About 15 minutes from downtown.

The Highlands
2715 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

The Highlands is a former golf club that has been transformed into an urban natural area with native wildflowers and grasses, eight wetlands and a restored stream habitat. The mostly flat, 2.6-mile trail through the property is ungroomed for winter recreation, but it’s still a popular spot for skiers, snowshoers and hikers. The Highlands sits adjacent to Blandford Nature Center, which offers its own network of ungroomed trails. The Highlands is free to use and there is a $5 per-person fee for Blandford Nature Center. 

Palmer Park
1275 52nd St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509

When there is at least four inches of snow on the ground, Palmer Park and Kaufman Golf Course in Wyoming offer three groomed cross-country ski trails for a smoother and more efficient skiing experience. Each loop is nearly two miles long and is typically easier for beginners. Heated restrooms and snacks are available for skiers in the Kaufman clubhouse as an added bonus. All routes begin at the clubhouse, so be sure to use the golf course entrance as Palmer Park Drive will be locked in the winter. There is a trail fee of $2 per person or a $25 season pass for Palmer Park. Ski rentals are available at the clubhouse – $10 for adults, $8 for children, and $30 for a family of up to five people. The trail fee is waived with ski rental. About 15 minutes from downtown.

Seidman Park
8155 Conservation Rd, Ada, MI 49301

Seidman Park in Ada offers a challenging five-mile course, with rolling hills, and tight turns taking you through a beautiful hardwood forest. About 20 minutes from downtown.

Luton Park
5950 10 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341

Luton Park in Rockford has nearly 10 miles of ungroomed trails. Mix and match the length of your excursion by combining different color loops. The blue and green loops are great for beginners as they are the flattest, but do know there are a few spots with bigger hills on these routes. About 25 minutes from downtown.

Pickerel Lake Park
6001 Ramsdell Rd NE, Cannonsburg, MI 49317

Pickerel Lake Park, also known as the Fred Meijer Nature Preserve, is a lovely place to ski. The trail takes you around the lake and is the perfect beginner route. The main loop is nearly two miles long, so you can easily make it around the lake in about an hour. About 25 minutes from downtown.

Other Popular Destinations:

Cannonsburg Ski Area is known for its downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing runs, but it also maintains winter trails for use by cross-country skiers (and fat bikers and snowshoers). Indian Trails Golf Course has a groomed, two-mile cross-country/snowshoeing trail and some other local, public courses allow skiing as long as you stay off the greens. Call the pro shop of the course you want to visit to confirm.

Beyond Kent County, locals like to visit the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park at Muskegon State Park or Pigeon Creek in Ottawa County for rentals and groomed trails. The Sports Park has an adaptive sit ski equipped with cross country skis for those who don’t have lower body mobility. Pigeon Creek offers cross country ski beginner and intermediate lessons – you can find details on the Ottawa County Parks Recreation & Health Page.

Are there any licenses needed to cross-country ski?

Cross-country skiing doesn’t require a license, and if you stick to trails in public areas, you won’t be charged a trail fee. There will likely be a trail fee if you choose to cross-country ski in an area with groomed, or maintained, trails.