Ah, the sight of hundreds of lycra-clad bodies poling through the northern Michigan forest!

The North American VASA cross-country ski race will be held February 13-15 in 2009. It will be the 33rd annual running of the 50-kilometer backwoods race. Shorter versions of the race are held for those not up to the long haul. All events are held on the VASA Trail, a beautiful loop through woods just east of Traverse City.

To read more, visit the official site at http://www.vasa.org There you can peruse race results for the past seven years, learn about the pasta dinner held in conjunction with the race, and view photos of past races.