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The Friends of Valley Spur is very proud of all our accomplishments from last year. We continue to work hard every year to improve Valley Spur for your enjoyment. Please read our Milestones .Friends of Valley Spur Milestones for 2024/2025
What a difference it makes, when the Munising Area gets all the snow! The ski season started early and ended in late
Spring. A record number of Annual Ski Passes (214) and Daily Passes (2,830) passes were purchased this past season. The
daily pass buyers are skiers who travel to our area to ski the 27 miles of groomed classic/skate trails. Most of our daily
passes were purchased by people who stay in Munising motels, eat at local restaurants and shop at the local stores. The
Friends of Valley Spur believe we have a big impact on the local economy during the ski season. Valley Spur received an
abundance of snow last year, while many other ski areas did not receive the snow that is needed to groom for cross
country skiing. Cross country skiers from other areas were able to see up to date conditions at Valley Spur through our
Facebook page. Our Facebook page is updated daily to let visitors know when the trails are groomed.
We are very proud of the following items that were completed during the last year:
⚫ The new grooming equipment was put on the trails.
⚫ The partnership with the Munising Bay Trail Network put all Alger County Silent Sports under a local umbrella.
⚫ An updated agreement with the US Forest Service was signed to continue operating Valley Spur under a Special
Use Permit.
Friends of Valley Spur are responsible for all funding to keep the trails open. We can do this only with the trail fees,
donations, sponsorships and grants we receive. We receive no monetary support from the Forest Service. All equipment
for grooming is owned by Friends of Valley Spur. We have one paid employee who grooms our trails. All other work at
Valley Spur is done by very dedicated volunteers. There are approximately 50 volunteers averaging 1,600 volunteer
hours each year. These volunteer staff clean the lodge, assist with grooming, run the events, clear the trails, ensure that
the lodge has plenty of wood to keep it warm, shovel snow, serve as committee members, act as ambassadors to
Munising and the surrounding area, and take care of any other operating needs. Taste and Glide was held this year
during a snowstorm, so the numbers were less than expected. The following day, we held a Celebration of Life for John
Geirke. John’s unexpected death has left a huge hole at Valley Spur. So many people came out to honor John and all his
volunteer work at Valley Spur. John gave the gift of skiing to so many people. The Friends have renamed a portion of B
Trail after John. We also received donations in John’s name to start a Skate Ski Program.
Ongoing programs at Valley Spur:
⚫ Lodge open daily from 10 am to 4pm.
⚫ Free skiing and equipment use for those 18 and under.
⚫ Free Kid’s Ski Lessons in conjunction with Alger County 4-H.
⚫ Local school group ski and snowshoe lessons.
⚫ Taste and Glide Event the first Saturday in March.
⚫ Two snowshoe trails and a groomed snow bike trail in cooperation with the Munising Bay Trail Network.
The Friends of Valley Spur greatly appreciates our Sponsors for their continued support. The Friends of Valley Spur are
very diligent in ensuring the funds they receive go towards making Valley Spur the best Cross Country Ski Trails in the Midwest.
Thanks to Sandy and Dan for making this sign to honor John Gierke on B Trail. Rhonda Lassila and John Carlson thanks for getting this sign up. I know every time I go by I'll be thinking of my friend John.