Like rowing or swimming, cross-country skiing is a workout that uses every major muscle group in your body. It will help you keep of some of the pounds you’ve gained during the holiday feeding fest while giving your lungs a breath of fresh air.

But lets not kid ourselves, going up a small hill is tough to start with, so staying on flatter ground will be of great benefit to the inexperience skier. But other than not being properly dressed for winter, the risk of injury is far less than many other winter activities. It is still advised that you take a couple of lessons, to get you moving in the right direction.

Here is a little list of some of the places you can cross-country ski in and around Oakland County.  Some have amenities like a warming station or ski rental and others are just a open area in which has space to ski. Many require either a annual park permit or daily park pass. Please check before you go.

OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS

• Glen Oaks – Farmington Hills
• White Lake Oaks
• Addison Oaks – Leonard
• Catalpa Oaks – Southfield
• Highland Oaks
• Independence Oaks – Clarkston
• Lyon Oaks
• Orion Oaks
• Red Oaks Nature Center
• Rose Oaks
• Waterford Oaks
  STATE PARKS
• Bald Mountain State Recreation Area – Lake Orion
• Brighton Recreation Area – Howell
• Highland State Recreation Area – White Lake
• Holly State Recreation Area – Holly
• Ortonville State Recreation Area – Ortonville
• Proud Lake State Recreation Area – Commerce Township
• Seven Lakes State Park – Holly
• Dodge #4 State Park – Waterford
• Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area – Waterford
• Maybury State Park – Northville
  OTHER AREAS
• Stoney Creek Metro Park
• Indian Springs Metro Park   – White Lake
• Kensington Metropark – Milford
• Polly Ann Trail – Orion, Oxford & Addison Twp
• Bloomer Park – Rochester Hills
• Clinton River Trail – Rochester Hills
• Paint Creek Trail – Rochester Hills
• Spencer Park – Rochester Hills
• Huron Valley Trail – South Lyon
• Heritage Park – Farmington Hills
• Sylvan Glen Golf Course – Troy
• Lakeshore Park – Novi
• Hickory Glen Park – Commerce Twp
  I am sure that there are many others that you have visited and if you let me know, I will gladly add them to this list.Remember, wherever you go and what ever winter activity you choose, please stay safe and stay warm.