GRAND TRAVERSE CO. -- Volunteers are keeping a close watch on the ski trails as the start of a major cross-country race gets closer.

The 36th Annual North American Vasa runs Feb. 10 - Feb. 12.   Saturday about 70 volunteers tried to fight back against the warm weather and fill in the Vasa trail with snow. Five teams split up to cover the bare or thin spots on the 25k loop. Using shovels, sleds, snow scoopers, a snowmobile and a giant snow thrower, the assigned area was completed in just a few hours.

Vasa officials will ski the course every day and publish trail reports on the official Vasa website. Volunteers will also continue to work on the trail daily to make sure racers have the best experience possible.  A final decision to determine if the trail is okay for the weekend race will take place Tuesday afternoon by the Vasa board. 

According to the website, the trail is currently covered with a base layer consisting of an inch of ice on the ground covered by a layer of compacted frozen granular snow.

Volunteers will again gather for a work bee Tuesday at 8:30am.Volunteers will meet at the Vasa Trailhead (off Bartlett Road in Acme) warming hut. If you are planning on helping, you are urged to bring shovels, sleds and/or snow scoops.

The Vasa brought more than 700 racers from 18 states and three foreign countries in 2011.