Mecca Trails Winterfest

MECCA Trails is pleased to announce the 2024 Winterfest, to be held in person on January 20, 2024 and virtually between December 16, 2023, and February 18, 2024.  Winterfest includes multiple skiing events that will be offered as a timed event on January 20th or virtual, self-timed throughout the winter. The snowshoe tour will be a virtual experience, and racers can choose to submit their snowshoe time to be eligible for prizes. All MECCA Trails will be open throughout the skiing season. 

All students ages 18 and under can register for any event for just $15, thanks to generous support from our sponsors. Please note: Your age bracket (including for determining student pricing) will be based on your age as of January 20, 2024. RunSignUp will automatically charge you the correct registration fee based on your age during checkout. 

All participants will receive a 2024 Winterfest shirt; register by December 27, 2023, to guarantee your preferred shirt size. 

January 20, 2024, skiing events include:

MECCA 30K: The MECCA 30K is designed to challenge serious skiers. The race is a two lap race course, starting and finishing at the MECCA Chalet.  Choose to register for the classic or skate division. The course is rated moderate to advanced with numerous hills.     (Note: Actual course length is 30.6 kilometers.)

Flowage 15K: This race showcases most of the MECCA Trail system. The course goes through upland hardwoods and pines, spruce and cedar wetlands, crosses the Little Turtle River Flowage and Waterfowl Wildlife Area to the west side of the trail system at Voss Lake. The course is rated moderate to advanced with numerous hills. Skiers choose to compete in either Classic or Skate Divisions. (Note: actual course length is 15.3 kilometers.)

Claire d' Loon 5K: This popular race is a favorite of younger skiers, families and first time racers. The 5K course is a fun course through the woods and fields near the chalet.  The course is rated easy to moderate with a few hills.

At MECCA Winterfest Live on January 20, hot and cold beverages will be available at the chalet. A pasty lunch will be served at the finish line, and lunch is complimentary for all registered racers. Food and beverages will be served by volunteers. Register by December 31, 2023, for a discount race price of $60. After January 1, registration is $70. 

2023/2024 Virtual Events include:

MECCA virtual 30K: The MECCA 30K is designed to challenge serious skiers. Choose to register for the classic or skate division. The course is a two lap race course starting and finishing behind the MECCA Chalet. The course is rated moderate to advanced with numerous hills. (Note: Actual course length is 30.6 kilometers.)

Flowage virtual 15K: This race showcases most of the MECCA Trail system. The course goes through upland hardwoods and pines, spruce and cedar wetlands, crosses the Little Turtle River Flowage and Wildlife Area to the west side of the trail system at Voss Lake. The course is rated moderate to advanced with numerous hills. Skiers choose to compete in either Classic or Skate Divisions. (Note: actual course length is 15.3 kilometers.)

Turtle River Pursuit: The Pursuit is a combined time race with an 11K classic leg and an 11K skating leg. Racers can ski the Pursuit course whenever they would like and turn in their times for the two legs. The course is rated moderate with hilly terrain. Individual or 2 person teams can compete. 

Claire d' Loon virtual 5K: This popular race is a favorite of younger skiers, families and first time racers.  The 5K course is a fun course through the woods and fields near the chalet.  The course is rated easy to moderate with a few hills.

Mercer Springs Snowshoe Tour: This event highlights the beauty of the looped snowshoe trails at MECCA. The Klondike Trail is just over 1 mile and starts and ends behind the chalet. The Mercer Springs Trail starts just across Fierick Road from the chalet, winds through the forest of hardwoods and pines then enters the Mercer Springs wetlands. There's even a beaver dam to walk across. The Mercer Springs Trail meets the Klondike trail, so participants can choose 1,2 or 3 miles of beautiful trails. Registered snowshoers can choose to self-report their time for the 2.1 mile Mercer Springs Trail to be eligible for prizes.

Registration all virtual events is $60.

The MECCA TRAILS Winterfest is presented by MECCA Trails and the Gogebic Range Health Foundation.  It is a fundraising event for MECCA Trails, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Profits are used to promote, expand, and enhance MECCA as well as provide funding for the MECCA Experience community outreach program. The Gogebic Range Health Foundation partners with MECCA Trails to assist with meeting their community support goals.