Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
Wax recommendations for the Forbush Opener
12/11/2025 3:14:16 AM - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Forbush Opener, the first Michigan Cup race of the season!
Live online waxing clinic with Ian Harvey tonight!
12/10/2025 12:08:56 AM - By CXC Skiing
Join CXC for a live online waxing clinic with Ian Harvey, Brand Manager of Toko US. This free clinic will be recorded. RSVP so you’ll receive access to the recording once it’s available. You can also submit your questions in advance.
New Toko products for 2025/26 winter season
12/7/2025 4:01:00 AM - By Ian Harvey
New waxes and new tools...and some predications about how I expect we will race wax this winter
Jessie Diggins announces her retirement after this season
11/20/2025 10:33:40 AM - By Leann Bentley, USSSB
Jessie Diggins, the most decorated US XC skier in history, formally announces her retirement from cross country ski racing following the end of the 2025-26 season.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters celebrates over 50 years of skiing!
10/21/2025 - By Mariah Frye
For over 50 years, Cross Country Ski Headquarters has been a beloved winter gathering place in Northern Michigan. Surrounded by inland lakes and rivers, this rustic ski lodge and trail system has welcomed generations of skiers, snowshoers, and outdoor lovers looking for fresh air, good food, and winter fun.
2025-26 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announced
10/18/2025 5:00:26 AM - By Leann Bentley, Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team A Team is led by three-time Olympic medalist and seven-time World Championship medalist Jessie Diggins, two-time World Championship medalist Julia Kern and Olympians Rosie Brennan, Gus Schumacher, Ben Ogden, JC Schoonmaker and Sophia Laukli.
North American Vasa celebrates 50th Anniversary in Traverse City
10/16/2025 - By North American Vasa
This year's festival will revive the 50-kilometer classic and freestyle races in honor of the event's 50-year history.
MI Cup Committee: Equal points for all
10/3/2025 3:41:00 PM - By Mike Muha
The Michigan Cup Committee made some big changes to scoring the Michigan Cup at this year's Committee Meeting, plus special options for Super Masters, and partial points for Vasa's 50th anniversary 50k marathon!
Copper Country Ski Tigers seek new Head Coach
10/3/2025 3:33:34 PM - By Amy Hamlin
The Copper Country Ski Tigers are looking for a passionate, motivated HEAD COACH to lead our junior Nordic Ski program in Michigan’s snowy Upper Peninsula!
2026 Junior Nationals coming to Mt. Telemark Village
9/25/2025 9:00:00 AM - By CXC Skiing
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation will be hosting the 2026 Junior XC Skiing Nationals Championships March 9-13, 2026.
MI Cup Committee meets Sunday, Sep 28
9/12/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The Michigan Cup Committee annual meeting will review the upcoming season, including the tentative race schedule (attached).
Start Wax emerges from bankruptcy
6/19/2025 4:11:49 PM - By Start Skiwax Oy
The manufacturer of Start ski waxes has returned from bankruptcy thanks to a group of ten Finnish stakeholders, some former employees and others new to the company. The new company is called Start Skiwax Oy.
UPCOMING
FRI, DEC 12, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, DEC 13, 2025
NEW! Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Forbush Opener (Freestyle)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, DEC 14, 2025
SAT, DEC 20, 2025
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, DEC 21, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski: George Frye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
THU, DEC 25, 2025
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, DEC 12
Independance Oaks: They have indeed rolled all the trails here! Some gravel churned up in just a couple spots so leave the A skis in their glass case. If you bomb down the east side of the big hill on "i", just know it veers to the right instead of the typical left after the stand of pines. Caught me by surprise!
Fast eddy
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After yesterday's snow, the trails are in superb shape! Classic tracks are set and skating lanes are combed and gorgeous. Looks like a great weekend of skiing! We have about 5-8" of packed snow on the trails, and 12-15" in the woods.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Friday Morning! It's another beautiful sunny morning up here :)
There was no grooming done overnight as only a bit of the fluffy white stuff came down early this morning.....however, it looks promising for snow later today into tomorrow!
Reminder - the Jackrabbit kids program starts tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Have a great day everyone :)
Independance Oaks: Just called IO, they haven't updated the automated trail report but the person answering the phone said they groomed yesterday and they have 5" base
Hanson Hills: Today is one of those winter days at Hanson Hills. The snow is just right, the skiing is smooth and fast (if you are waxed correctly), and the views through the hardwood forest are absolutely beautiful—quiet, snowy, and pure Northern Michigan magic.
Trail Report:
Groomer Dan is out this morning on the main trail system, combing skate lanes to keep conditions dialed in.
Freshly reset classic tracks (set yesterday) on:
• Green
• Blue
• Brown
• Yellow
• Easy Return
Wilderness grooming is temporarily paused while our grooming snowmobile is in for repairs—but the rest of the trail system is skiing great and ready for adventure.
Lodge & Trails Open at 9am
Trail passes available in the lodge
If you’ve been waiting for a perfect day to get out and ski… today is it.
Forbush Corner: Wow! Looks like are headed north of 100 racers for tomorrow’s Forbush Corner Nordic Opener. Course is set and has been shared on our Facebook page. Larry has finished up moving and tilling the snow made last weekend on the 240 loop and Ridge. The Pines connector and loop will get a fresh groom today, as well as some of the east and west side trails. Check Nordic Pulse on our website for current conditions.
THU, DEC 11
Stoney Creek Metropark: [ ] groomed
[ ] golf course is about as good as it gets
[ ] Sheldon trails - fair to good littered with tree parts, though the usual being trod upon
[ ] icy patches under trees where not enough snow made it to the groun)d as it got colder and the rain - wet snow turned to ( oops - repost -- rain >>> snow
Stoney Creek Metropark: [ ] groomed
[ ] golf course is about as good as it gets
[ ] Sheldon trails - fair to good littered with tree parts, though the usual being trod upon
[ ] icy patches under trees where not enough snow made it to the ground as it got colder and the rain - wet snow turned to rain
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: Trails were freshly groomed today by Brian! Randy Gary and I tested them out and conditions are great!
Vasa Trail: Today's previous reports filled you in on how good the Classic Skiing was on the Vasa today, so I'll just comment on the skating. "Best conditions of the season so far!" It's not just me saying that, but also the half dozen skiers I chatted with around the 10K loop said the exact same thing. The entire trail system was groomed this morning with maybe an inch of fresh snow on top of the skate deck after it was groomed. That extra ungroomed snow imparted a buttery smooth under-ski feel like it was some sort of speed-butter as skating was easier and faster than average using vintage SkiGo Blue. Nice thick deck in most areas with well over a foot of snow in the woods.
Nubs Nob: Lots of snow ! Yesterday’s big groomer provided a firm flat skate deck . Today nature provided about 2 inches of fluff . Has to push a little bit , but it was very nice - and the sun came out . LF 7
Vasa Trail: Wow, the TART groomers did a great job making fresh classic tracks with the snowmobiles this morning. The fresh powder wasn’t fast but only a few leaves & complete coverage, except at the bridge. I rarely start at the Bartlett trailhead, except when skiing Headwaters, then skied the 10k backwards. I was in skier heaven on my skins & mild 20 temps!
Laurel Ridge State Park: 5" of pretty dense snow in the southern laurel highlands. Skiable today at dedicated XC facilities, which are located at the highest elevations. Not yet "ski anywhere" conditions. But, forecast is looking very wintery, and we will soon have access to your favorite forest road, the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, those high mountain meadows, etc. If your travels take you on the PA Turnpike (Interstate 76) bring your skis! Note: Like the Carnegie library system, Pennsylvania state parks are Free to the People (as are state forests).
Stokely Creek: First pass with the newer Bombardier groomer today left a very nice track. Not a rock in sight, which is rare for this early given the terrain. Eye watering speed was achieved several times using Madshus Endurace skins.
Kensington Metropark: It appears all trails were groomed today golf course skate and classic and the wood only one set of classic
Vasa Trail: The trail had a fresh groom and was done in the section I skied at 9:45. Left from the Supply Road parking lot and skied out/back to the 2nd Jack Pine entrance. trail is in great shape. I peeked at Timber Ridge. They are only groomed on the "straight out from the lodge to VASA" section. No other grooming in the park.
Vasa Trail:
Huron Meadows Metropark: Good skating on Hawks, Coyote and Cedar Trace. Hawks has a little scrub sticking up. But the best it has been so far. All freshly groomed. No tracks.
Thank guys.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Beautiful, freshly rolled skate track. No classic track to speak of. Did multiple laps of the Contractors Loop and had a blast!
Michaywe: Refreshed skate lanes and reset track on the lake loop and both golf course loops. Conditions are good.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Tracks were set yesterday, and after 2-3 more inches last night, we'll set tracks again this morning. It is absolutely gorgeous out there! We'll be snowcombing the fresh powder this morning and it should be heavenly today and through the weekend. We have about 5-8" of packed snow on the trails, and 12-15" in the woods.
Hiawatha Highlands: Hiawatha Highlands/Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club
Good Morning! It's a beautiful Thursday morning, all was calm overnight and the sun is shining :)
The groomer was out last night -- The Pinder system was rolled and tracked. The 5k loop on the Red Pine system was tracked as well....whoo hoo, we're getting there!
For your information -- the SFN Jackrabbit program starts this Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, so please keep an eye out.
Grab your gear, find your flow, and let the snow be what it is. There's always joy to be found on these trails - no matter the forecast. Happy skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Another 1+ inches of snow. Groomer Dan is out Combing skate lanes and setting fresh tracks on the Inner Trails (Green, Blue, Brown,Yellow, Easy Return)
: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Another 1+ inches of snow. Groomer Dan is out Combing skate lanes and setting fresh tracks on the Inner Trails (Green, Blue, Brown,Yellow, Easy Return)
Forbush Corner: No lack of snow over the last few days and more to come. Most of the East side trails will be groomed today. Open 9 to 5.
If you need to wax your skis we added a wax room over the summer!
WED, DEC 10
Nubs Nob: Perfect grooming with the big groomer, trail was excellent on upper red loop. Perfect temperature, fast snow.Have to enter the trail from Valley road.
Big M: About 6? of fresh snow fell last night. The following trails were groomed this evening: Corkpine, most of Lumberjack, most of Camp 24, Big Wheel, Double Bit, Ryberg Rd and Catamount.
The plan is to groom all of the trails again on Friday or Saturday, so conditions should be excellent for when most people can get to Big M!
Nubs Nob: Nubs Nob has nailed it today ! A flat firm skate deck and classic track have fresh snow groomed thru the upper trails . LF 7 was the skate perfect wax. . Great depth and coverage . The ice storm clearance is impressive .
Huron Meadows Metropark: If you didn't know, you can't groom when it's a above freezing, so if you expected good skating conditions or amazing tracks at Huron Meadows today , you were sorely disappointed ??. But it was awesome to break trail on my waxless classic touring skis with Sarah and Tony around the lake and the contractor's loop! Big smiles just getting out in the woods!
Michaywe: Received 2-3 inches of snow last couple days. All trails were groomed and track set today. Conditions are good with just a little drifting in the open areas, mainly on the golf courses.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received about 3' more inches last night and it's still snowing as we speak. Groomer Mike rolled everything this morning and is now out snowcombing and setting classic tracks. Hallelujah!! The trails are looking picturesque, we have about 4-7" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-14" in the woods.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning our lovers of everything snow!!
The groomers were out last night -- The entire Pinder system and the 2k Lighted were rolled, packed and tracked. The Red Pine system was rolled and packed.
Have a great day everybody :)
Hanson Hills: Lodge Closure Notice
Consumers Power and our local electricians will be updating the electrical service to our Main Lodge today. This upgrade requires a full power shut-off for most of the day, which means no lights, no heat, and no water in the building.
Because of this, the Lodge and Offices will be closed today.
The good news: Our Trails remain open for use, and the DHHS Family Christmas Giving Donation Drop-Off will still be available as planned.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete these important improvements. Stay warm and enjoy the trails!
Trail Report: 1/2inch of new snow overnight. Groomer Dan will be combing and resetting tracks on Green, Blue, Brown, M-93.
More trail reports...
