Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports that the ice storm took its toll on the ski trail, with downed trees and sticks lodged in the ice. They are working to open a trail. Forbush Corner is still investigating the damage but hopes to have something open this coming Thursday.
Five new owners have taken on Stokely Creek Lodge
12/21/2025 12:26:49 AM - By Deanna Path
A new ownership group of five passionate outdoor enthusiasts, Andy Levin, Mary Freeman, Tim Kunin, and Josh and Deanna Plath, have come together to write Stokely’s next chapter.
HHCCSS take commanding lead in Brumbaugh Cup
12/18/2025 6:17:08 AM - By Ernie Brumbaugh
With 3 feet of snow and a home course, last year’s Brumbaugh Cup champion Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop put the rest of the Michigan Cup teams on notice that they intend to win another Cup.
When should you adjust your binding position?
12/16/2025 2:00:00 AM - By Ian Harvey
Binding position on Nordic racing skis can be changed to improve stability, glide, or kick depending on how the skis are feeling. On any given day, binding position for both skate and classic has a whole lot to do with ski performance in terms of both speed and handling.
Jorden Wakeley and Kaitlyn Vanias win Forbush Opener
12/14/2025 12:23:04 AM - By Mike Muha
Forbush Corner kicked off the 2025-2026 Michigan Cup race season in high gear: Immaculate trails, firm but covered in packed new snow, a great course.
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!
UPCOMING
FRI, MAR 20, 2026
FRI, MAR 27, 2026
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 1.5km classic sprint
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
SAT, MAR 28, 2026
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 4 x 5km mixed gender club relay
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
SUN, MAR 29, 2026
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 40km freestyle mass start
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
TUE, MAR 31, 2026
Citizen’s Night Ski Race Series
Main MTU Trailhead, Michigan Tech Trails, Houghton, Michigan
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
TUE, MAR 17
Unlisted trail: Crawford County
Crust skiing is at optimal levels. The recent ice and snow storm has produced a ski surface throughout the local region that only comes once in a great while.
Stokely Creek: Wow, a bonus day of perfect cold snow skiing! Blue sky, blue wax and a pristine track to Norms Cabin.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Well, what an eventful couple of days. We had a major storm system move though Sunday night, and with it, lots of ice and winds. The shop has been without power or phone lines for 2 days, but our generators have kept the heat on and all is well inside. Outside is a different story...
The trails have been hit pretty hard, to the point where most are impassable without hurdling fallen trees. Not to mention the 1,000,000 sticks that have lodged themselves into the ice throughout the 19km network. It will be a big project to clean up. This afternoon, there was a gentle, picturesque snow fall, lightly dusting the devastation with a layer of fresh fallen snow. Though beautiful, slightly painful to watch because we knew we couldn't really ski on it due to the massive amount sticks and branches everywhere. The trails have about 1/2" of fresh snow on top of 1" of ice crust, with 3-4" of soft powder underneath, rendering the use of heavy equipment null.
We will do an extensive survey tomorrow to see if we can salvage one trail for the rest of this season, and will update from there. Rest assured we will keep our heads high and carry on! The shop will be open 10-5 if anyone wants to come warm up and say hi. Stay safe, and stay warm!
Forbush Corner: Well, the storm left us with a weird mess of frozen snow. We spent over an hour trying to break it up and access the doors of the shop, yurt, ski school and vault toilets. We were unsuccessful with the vault toilets, but will try again once it warms up. Wednesday's plan is to get the piles of built up cement snow out of the entrances and get the parking lot plowed. We will also check the trails for downfall.
We plan to open up this Thursday through Monday. Looks like another great week of skiing is on tap.
MON, MAR 16
Forbush Corner: Well it's a mess up north right now. We are busy digging out our own properties and waiting for the snowplows to clear the roads before venturing out to check the trails. We will assess the facilities and trails tomorrow and post plans for the week later on Tuesday.
Timber Ridge: In response to the Timber Ridge "charging" trail conditions post, this was an error our our staffs part and if you have purchased a season pass for the 2025/2026 season you may still use it and not pay the $10 day pass fee. While the season pass has expired, we will still honor it for skiing. Please note that while our grooming efforts will be considerably less, you are still welcome to ski with your pass. We set an expiration date to let you know the date that we will be cutting back on grooming efforts but it is still valid for skiing. If you have questions related to our management practices, please feel free to reach out to us. We would much rather correct that in person than have to find out about it on a trail conditions forum :)
Timbers Recreation Area: In response to the Timber Ridge "charging" trail conditions post, this was an error our our staffs part and if you have purchased a season pass for the 2025/2026 season you may still use it and not pay the $10 day pass fee. While the season pass has expired, we will still honor it for skiing. Please note that while our grooming efforts will be considerably less, you are still welcome to ski with your pass. We set an expiration date to let you know the date that we will be cutting back on grooming efforts but it is still valid for skiing. If you have questions related to our management practices, please feel free to reach out to us. We would much rather correct that in person than have to find out about it on a trail conditions forum :)
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