Thank You To Our 2019 Title Sponsor
And The Noquemanon Trail Network Event Marketing Partner
The race committee looks forward to hosting the 21st annual Noquemanon Ski Marathon January 25th-27th 2019 and is excited to keep you updated on event developments through this newsletter, our social media channels, and registered participant e-mail lists.

The "Noque" has become a fixture and is truly unique in it's location, terrain, passionate landowners and volunteers, and our non-profit status. If you've done the Noque before we encourage you to invite your friends to share in the experience. If you're still putting your event calendar together for the winter, we'd be honored to be on your list of events. The Noque is wilderness point to point skiing at it's finest - rugged UP terrain, beautiful, challenging, and often unpredictable.

It is also important to note that this event is not for only elite level skiers. Many recreational skiers and full families from around the Midwest and beyond start, or end, a winter vacation with the Noquemanon Ski Marathon - there is something here for everyone. With loads of ski trails, snowbike singletrack, and winter trail running available, Marquette has become the perfect base camp for a winter adventure. In fact, USA Today rated Marquette the "Best Small Town For Adventure" in 2018. Be sure to visit our friends at Travel Marquette - they can help you make your plans.

We look forward to hosting you in January.
Get The Best Rate and Register Today


2019 Race Pricing Schedule


Youth (age 24 and under) get a $25 discount when signing up on line for 50K/24K/15 Mile events.

50K, 24K & 15 Mile Events (Saturday)
  • $90 by November 30,2018
  • $95 by December 31, 2018
  • $100 by January 24, 2019
  • $110 on January 26, 2019
12K (Saturday)
  • $40 by December 31, 2018
  • $45 by January 1, 2019 to Race Day
Adaptive/Sit Ski
  • $5 by January 26, 2019

"WildSide of the Noque" Skijour, Snowbike, 5K&10K Snowshoe (Sunday)
  • $40 by December 31, 2018
  • $45 by January 1, 2019 to Race Day
2019 Noquemanon Ski Marathon commemorative posters will be available once again at the Ski Expo/Bag Pick-up
Accommodation Sponsors
Looking for a place to stay during your trip to Marquette County? The hotels below have partnered with the Noquemanon Ski Marathon and are available to make your trip as comfortable, and convenient, as possible. Race busing is available at these hotels and they are our preferred accommodation partners. Check the bus schedule and race packet at the Ski Expo/Bag Pick-up for more details on the perks these businesses are offering Noquemanon racers!
Upper Michigan's only upscale extended stay hotel. Architecturally reminiscent of Marquette's historical downtown, and with interior spaces reflecting the region's heritage, we offer our guests an upscale local experience. The hotel offers plenty of temperature controlled, underground parking units, to keep our guests warm and dry in the winter, and cool during the hot summer.

Covered parking and waxing station for Noque Skiers included.

Make yourself at home in one of the 84 rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed, complimentary wired and wireless Internet access and satellite programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center, and a fireplace in the lobby

Amidst the shops, restaurants and theaters of downtown Marquette, overlooking Lake Superior, discover a place that time forgot but that you never will — the Landmark Inn, featured in the  New York Times . Old-world European splendor and charm meet modern convenience at our AAA Three-Diamond hotel that welcomed its first guests as The Northland Hotel in 1930.


A pleasant blend of rustic charm and modern accommodations awaits you at the Cedar Motor Inn. Family-owned over 45 years, our small-scale AAA diamond approved hotel is in Marquette, nestled against the north woods near the shores of Lake Superior. We offer the vacationer, the traveler or a business person 43 rooms to choose from, including a housekeeping cottage suite that can accommodate 2-4 people.

Located within close proximity of Ojibwa Casino, Superior Dome, Lake Superior and Westwood Mall, our Marquette, MI Inn places guests close to all area business, dining and entertainment districts. Enjoy year-round activities in hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowmobile trails to discover why we're a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts.

Welcome Back Hammer Nutrition!
We are pleased to provide Hammer products on course once again.  We are very grateful for their continued partnership with the Noquemanon Ski Marathon!

The Noquemanon Isn't "Just" A Ski Marathon!
Junior Noque
The Noquemanon Ski Marathon kicks off on Friday January 25th with the Junior Noque at the Forestville Trailhead. The kid friendly 1K and 3K are family favorites and the 5K is strongly contested among the teens and youth ski clubs. All Junior Noque events are very low cost! Registration forms are available HERE and day-of registration is welcome.
Adaptive Ski
2019 will see the return of the 1K and 3K adaptive ski events. The Noquemanon can also accommodate interest in any of the 12K, 24K, and 50K events which are held on the same courses.
Wildside of the Noque

The Noquemanon weekend wraps up on Sunday January 27th with the spectator friendly Wildside of the Noque at the Forestville Trailhead. Three events are showcased - the Animoosh 1 and 2 dog skijour, snowbike, and 5K & 10K snowshoe races.

Course Updates
Course Improvements

Over the last several years the race committee has significantly invested in a number of major course improvements. For the 2019 race, the course crew has added 3 more culverts to the new Granite Point section, which was newly opened for the 2018 marathon and received great reviews from skiers. These new culverts make this section dryer which makes it easier to prepare, maintain, and to groom. New this year is the Mead Hills bypass trail that will be used for the 24k Half Noque. The trail crew planned to use this bypass in 2018 however due to unforeseen issues was not able to get it open in time. The race committee is excited to open this new section for the 2019 race. Brushing and other maintenance work has been on going as usual and all major trail improvements are now complete from Granite Point down to the finish line. The only long-term major trail improvements left to complete are on the far west end of the full marathon course. Those improvements are slated to be completed next year.

Finish Line

After much discussion and a full review of last years skier feedback, the race committee has decided to once again place the finish line for the 50K, 24K, 12K, and 15 Mile Snowshoe events at the Log Yard. The participant survey could not have been more abundantly clear that if picking up the Superior Dome and moving it 3K up the trail was not an option (no...it's not) then having better trail conditions just outside the city limits with fewer road crossings far outweighs the experience of skiing to the Superior Dome. The NMU Superior Dome will still be used for the Ski Expo/Bag Pickup and the awards ceremony and have all of the usual amenities including showers, sauna, and locker rooms. Buses will be available at the finish to take skiers on the short ride back to the Superior Dome. The layout of the last meters will likely change however to offer more of a "stadium" style finish as well as a more festive atmosphere with music, food trucks, etc. More details to come on this as we hope to develop a high quality atmosphere skiers and spectators will enjoy before heading back to the Dome for a hot shower. (We hope it also includes the free espresso shots like last year!)

2018 was very warm so not much was needed in the way of warming tents. The race committee will be prepared for cold conditions in 2019 and have enough warming tents and space available at the finish line so participants can spend as much time at the finish area as they like without getting cold. More details will be available on this later as as always final details will be available in the 2019 Racer Bulletin available at the Expo/Packet-Pickup.
Scenes From 2018 - Our 20th Anniversary
The Noquemanon Ski Marathon is pleased to continue to be a part of the CXC Marathon Cup Series. The 50K Classic race counts towards CXC Marathon Cup points.

The CXC Marathon Cup connects the premiere cross country ski events across the Central region. Sanctioned and scored by  Central Cross Country Skiing, presented by  AVANT Techno, the Cup includes races in each of the three main states in the region - two races in Michigan, two in Wisconsin, and two in Minnesota. 

The 2019 series is split between classic and skate racing, with two classic races, three skate weekends, and one skiathlon weekend.
The Noquemanon Ski Marathon continues a long tradition of being a part of the ASM Series.

Beautiful backdrops in America's most incredible winter playgrounds...courses that both challenge veterans as well as welcome novices...unparalleled organization at every event...world-class racers and entire families all with smiles from ear-to-ear. This is the American Ski Marathon Series!

Founded in 1978 as the "Great American Ski Chase". the American Ski Marathon Series (ASM) provides every level of cross country skier a thrilling chance to be part of a nationwide series of adventure, winter festivals and fun. Whether beginner, weekend warrior, casual tourer or professional racer -- every ASM event has something to offer you and your family.