Sugarloaf

The Leelanau Conservancy in partnership with Michigan Backcountry Alliance is getting together our first few volunteer workdays to improve BC ski zones at Sugar Loaf. I wanted to get this invitation out to you all before we more widely distributed the opportunity. We expect there to be more people interested in joining than we have slots available, so if you are wanting to join- I’d encourage you to sign up ASAP. Here is a quick rundown of the 3 workdays coming this fall:

Thursday 9/17 5-7p

Lighter workday, overview of what we hope to accomplish, waking some of the zones. Doing some stick clearing and maybe light limbing of low branches. Ending with a cold beverage (or warm depending on the evening) and low-key grill out on the summit.

Sunday 9/27 10a-2p

Getting more involved. Working through ski zone skiers left of the old Manitou ski run. Also helping clean up Awful Awful, moving brush and limbing to have this be a gladed ski run this winter.

Sunday 11/8 1p-5p

Working on a series of individual lines that take off from the old Devils Elbow ski trail.

For this first year we are doing minimal tree removal as in all of these places there are legacy ski lines that have already been cut. The main focus is removing down debris and limbing up lower branches to open them back up. If none of these times work for you there will likely be more opportunity to help shape the future of BC skiing at Sugar Loaf. I’m personally really excited to get a bunch of ski-loving folks together and help stoke the BC ski community.

Please feel free to share this invite with anyone you think would be interested. Our volunteer coordinator, Lindy, is taking charge of how to get people signed up. See her instructions below. When asked how you heard about this can mention “Michigan Backcountry Alliance email”.