Northern Michigan University Cancels Ski Race Due To Lack Of Snow

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) - A lack of snow in Michigan's typically snowy Upper Peninsula has forced the rare cancellation of a cross-country ski race.

Northern Michigan University announced Wednesday it had to call off the NMU Wildcat Open scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The Wildcats now will start their season at the USSA Regional Opener Dec. 19-20 in Houghton.

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Northern Michigan head ski coach Sten Fjeldheim says it's only the third time since 1986 the Marquette university had to cancel a competition during the second week of December. He added it's a "huge contrast" to last year, when the area had "outstanding snow" starting in November.

Fjeldheim says there is usually enough snow to hold the competition, but this year there's "no snow to even shovel on the trail."