Stoked On Stokley

Canadian Cross-Country Ski Lodge is World-Class Fun

Above, Stokley Lodge invites you in after a day on the trails; trail markers are posted at all interesections; scenery on the way to the top of King Mountain.

By Bill Semion

If you want to experience breathtaking morning landscapes, when the sun glints gloriously through backlit hardwoods worthy of any artist’s palette, come to Stokley.

If you want to experience what some who’ve skated or kicked on routes from Oslo to New England call one of the top five cross-country ski experiences in the world, come to Stokley.

And if you want to experience great lodging, impeccable meals and wonderful camaraderie among fellow skinny ski devotees, come to Stokley.

Carved out of the hills that the last Ice Age created, Stokley Creek Lodge’s trails have been bringing cross-country skiers about 20 minutes north of The Soo, Ont., since 1977. Some, like Harold Feit, make it here every weekend.  The Henry Ford Health System physician has skied across the world, and calls this one of the top five cross-country experiences he’s found. Here’s why:

— More than 130 kilometers of ski trails, from easy romps around some of the property’s 8,000 acres and 14 lakes, to treks up 1,880-foot King Mountain for spectacular views of the mountainous Canadian landscape.

— More than 80K of groomed classic trails, 50K of skating trails, and 40k of backcountry trails also are available.

— Comfortable lodge-style accommodations with surprising amenities like hot stone massages by appointment, and topped by great meals served family style, and saunas to boot.

We pulled into Stokley Creek’s parking lot about 20 minutes after making a call to the lodge notifying them we were on the way after clearing Canadian customs. Minutes later, we were greeted by lodge staff, who loaded our bags and told us we could either ski or walk the half-kilometer to the lodge or hop aboard for the short snowmobile ride to the door.

Designed by Ann Arbor architect David Osler, the main lodge and other chalets are covered in cedar shake siding. At capacity, Stokley can sleep 74 skiers. Its main lodge features seven rooms. There are three more in the clubhouse and 12 in the Ottawa, Chippewa, Cedar and Hillside chalets. Most rooms can accommodate up to three.  More rustic accommodations are available in the day skier building and the Ski Patrol cabin, Stokley’s original structure, built in 1977 by late owner Chuck Peterson, who together with a geologist friend, laid out its trails.

New owners Gaylen Byker (president of Grand Rapids’ Calvin College), his wife Susan, plus Ian and Tanya Byker, pledge to preserve Peterson’s philosophy that has kept Stokley a unique winter retreat.

Rooms are simple and really all you need since you came here to ski, right? There are shared men’s and women’s bathrooms in the main lodge, and some chalets have private baths. Wood-burning stoves throughout the lodge make for cozy spaces to look over the trail map.

Prep in the wax room, then head past the main lodge for a short 6K trip on Upper and Lower Stokley trails, which skirt the edge of several falls along icy Stokely Creek. It’s also the access to the main trail system. Follow it back to the lodge over a ridge and on to Homerun Hill, a long downhill back to the base that even beginners can handle with a little coaching.

King Mountain, the granite-topped monolith, towers above the Stokley Creek Valley. It’s the tallest in the region and at 1,880 feet, deserves its moniker.

 If you’re up to it, it’s a 9K, two-hour-plus trek up, and I do mean up, featuring a 300-foot rise in the first half-mile. More steep climbs are punctuated by less-steep climbs until you reach the warming hut and overlook. Your reward for herringboning most of the way is a spectacular view of the Algoma Country including Lake Superior from just below the west summit.

Just remember those hills are now steeps as you snowplow the 45-minute run back, so Stokley recommends you make the journey with a friend, and watch for others still heading up when returning until you’re past the last hill, a harrowing left-hander, which returns you to the river valley and a beaver pond. Afterward, look up and you’ll just pick out the overlook where you’ve just been.

After lunch, try an easy 10K trip around Evans and Walker lakes (there’s a warming hut available here, too), or take on more tough stuff such as the 19K Belleau Lake Trail. Intermediate skiers can take a two- to three-hour trek to Norm’s Cabin, a rustic former trapper’s home on Bone Lake that, like the King Mountain climb, is an annual trek for many.

 It’s been preserved by the Algoma Highlands Nature Conservancy to preserve the area’s history, and help keep it as close as possible to what nature intended. The group’s current project is raising funds to purchase and preserve King Mountain’s majestic woodlands and views.

Snowshoeing

Step out of your ski bindings and strap into some snowshoe bindings to enjoy a new addition to Stokley, nearly 10K of dedicated trails marked and laid out by Lucie Gagnon and Bob Yankus.  Bring your own shoes or try the lodge’s and take a lesson. Then step off yourself, or on a guided walk, including one route past icy cliffside waterfalls to King Mountain. There are trails for every skill level.

After all that, hit the sauna or enjoy a muscle soothing massage that’s available by appointment, or hang out in the day lodge, which offers wireless Internet service, as do some of the rooms.

Dining

 It’s a Stokley tradition to start each evening in the day lodge, where you can munch on cheese and crackers and make new friends before dinner.

Lodge guests enjoy three meals daily, and meals prepared in its compact kitchen are outstanding. A chalkboard just outside the dining room announces each menu. The dining room affords a great view of the creek and some of the valley’s permanent feathered inhabitants busy at the feeders outside. Dinner one night included filet mignon, and lunch offerings like soup and burgers always end with a visit to the dessert table.

Great skiing and snowshoeing, great food and accommodations, and making or renewing friendships. It’s no wonder so many come here every weekend. It’s what Stokley Creek is all about.

When You Go

Stokley Creek rates range from $116 per person for the log and Day Skier Cabin, to $170 for the Peter Kuhn Chalet. That gets you lodging, a trail pass, meals and many amenities. For information and reservations, call 866-786-5359, or go to www.stokleycreek.com.