Tony Percha (lead) and Cyril Grum getting in an early morning rollerski at Kensington Metropark on Island Drive. (Yes, besides a nice bike path, Kensington has a couple quieter roads...)
Happy 50th, Cross Country Ski Headquaters!
11/1/2024 - By Cross Country Ski Headquaters
Cross Country Ski Headquarters has been a beacon of authentic, outdoor experiences for half a century.
Toko news and musings
10/31/2024 - By Ian Harvey
New logo, US Ski Team visit, Ben Ogden, planned wax clinics for the West Yellowstone Ski Festival, and Team Birkie!
2024-2025 Michigan Cup race calendar
10/17/2024 - By Mike Muha
The schedule is nearly identical as last season's, with twenty-one races. The only change is the loss of the Lakes of the North Freestyle
The Vasa Tradition continues in 2025
10/16/2024 - By Gretchen Carr
We have partnered with Traverse City Parks and Recreation to add a backup site at Hickory Hills which has snow-making ability.
Sten Fjelheim inducted into the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame
9/17/2024 - By Mike Muha
The legendary Sten Fjeldheim will be inducted into the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame on September, 20, 2024. Of the 73 Hall of Famers, Fjeldheim is the first to represent Nordic skiing.
Andy Liebner's Homer Epic 100k ski adventure
9/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
Andy Liebner created a mini-documentary about growing up in Alaska and competing in the 2024 Homer Epic 100k cross country ski race. The 100k route climbed 6,194 feet.
2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Announced
9/13/2024 - By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announced the 27 athletes who have accepted their nominations and have officially been named to the 2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team.
Cliff Onthank and Ken Dawson to co-direct North American Vasa
8/8/2024 - By North American Vasa
The North American Vasa Board of Directors is happy to announce that Cliff Onthank and Ken Dawson will share the position of race director.
Superiorland Ski Club has paid positions open
7/25/2024
The Superiorland Ski Club in Marquette, Michigan, is looking for a people to fill the following paid positions for the 2024/2025 season.
Salt Lake City will host 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
7/24/2024 - By Utah and ICO press releases
Salt Lake City, Utah, has been selected to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the fifth time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in the USA and 32 years since Utah last hosted the Olympics.
Help Forbush Corner expand snowmaking! New map!
6/6/2024 - By Todd Hubbard
The cost of the expansion is estimated at $400,000. SMI. With a generous $100,000 donation already pledged, we need your help to raise the remaining funds to have the extension ready for next season!
Forbush Corner to increase snowmaking to 5km in two phases
5/30/2024 - By Forbush Corner
We are thrilled to announce the next big step at Forbush Corner Nordic: Expanding our snowmaking capabilities beyond the loop!
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
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)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, DEC 5
Big M: I skied today starting around 1:30 conditíon were excellent. just missed the groomer. most trails have been groomed. apparently 10-14 inch powdery base. beautiful
Big M: I skied today starting around 1:30 conditíon were excellent. just missed the groomer. most trails have been groomed. apparently 10-14 inch powdery base. beautiful
Big M: I skied today starting around 1:30 conditíon were excellent. just missed the groomer. most trails have been groomed. apparently 10-14 inch powdery base. beautiful
Big M: Corkpine, Lumberjack, Big Wheel and Camp 24 are all packed and tracked (except for the small portion between 3 and 14, see map). Groomers will also be out Saturday morning, after some more snow falls tonight (hopefully), to get the rest of the trail system. Plenty of snow! Enjoy.
Hartwick Pines: Whole trail system groomed for classic skiing. Excellent coverage. Grooming good but some foot traffic. Fun ski.
Elk Rapids Golf Course: Windswept conditions so you're only skiing through an inch of snow with grass poking through in most areas until you come to one of the few drifted areas of a foot or more depth. But the classic skis were gliding well, and started literally from my front door, so it's all good. Highlight was skiing along the scenic shore of Elk Lake as close as you dared to the water.
Forbush Corner: I don't know that I have ever seen early season conditions this good in the lower peninsula. Larry and the Forbush crew did an incredible job of packing, rolling, and grooming a colossal amount of snow (probably had to manage lots of downed branches and detritus as well).
I skied Thursday night at dusk—the moon so bright I didn't even need a headlamp—and Friday around lunchtime. The whole system is in mid-winter shape, but mamma mia Rollercoaster and Crybaby are hard packed and fast!! I skate skied both days but the classic tracks looked sublime.
Well worth the drive, especially now that there are more tables in the yurt. So fun to see all the updates the Forbush crew did over the summer: new carpet, they took out the s-curve on Crybaby, I'm even more out of shape, etc. Pack a lunch (and a flask of something to keep you warm).
Nordic Pulse seems to be working out some early-season kinks so this is probably the only weekend you can ask Mike what was groomed without getting in trouble.
Michaywe: Groomed out and set track on the lake loop, maple ridge, herringbone, the river trail, and the back 9 loop. Snow conditions are mostly good with a few thin areas. Trails going through the wooded areas have some leaves or pine needles due to the recent high winds.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Still great as of this (Friday) morning. Hawk hills a little rough some dirt and vegetation showing through in parts- but skiable. Coyote run and contractors in great shape!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Groomer Dan is out combing skate lanes again this morning, and reports that classic tracks are still looking great!
Remember Trail Passes are required, stop in to purchase your daily or season pass.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Butch snowcombed all the trails yesterday, and the skate deck is hard and fast! We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods. We'll finish snowmaking on the field today to be ready for lessons and demos tomorrow.
Forbush Corner: West side, Pines connector (easy and hard) and some of the Pines loop were packed with the PB. All east side trails are groomed with tracks. The pines have been shedding their pine needles here and there due to the gusty winds over the last few days. Good thing we don’t need klister!
THU, DEC 4
Hanson Hills: Fresh classic tracks on the Wilderness Singletrack trail from yesterday were perfect for my afternoon adventure after a visit at Northbound. I could have used my skins but my Evos probably handled the leaves in the tracks near the Lodge better. I had the best glide so far this season, complete trail coverage, and sunshine!!! As I was leaving Grayling, there was a gorgeous full moon rising above the pine trees against a dark blue sky, which would have been a perfect photo!
Pigeon Creek: Conditions ranged from fair to very good, depending up on the leaf cover. The skate deck was in excellent shape with corduroy in most places and no ground showing through. A few spots in the forest had a lot of oak and beech leaves on the skate deck. The open meadow sections on the north side of the road had the best snow conditions and were downright fast.
Vasa Trail: Conditions remain good throughout the trail system with up to 10" in the woods, and a groomed base of several inches. Major improvements today include setting classic track, and installing corduroy on the skate lane. Noticed a handful of thin spots on the 10K, some with gravel appearing, the worst being the usual spot just past the bridge so probably best with some rock skis. Afternoon skiers were treated to skiing in the sun.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Really terrific skating Thursday morning. As reported, golf course was rolled this morning, and it's gorgeous (90% perfect, the rest is grassy). Thank you, Metroparks! From the Metroparks web site:
"Bucks Run is currently closed. Snow is currently being made for Bucks Run and construction will being in the coming weeks. Patrons are free to ski on the trails marked by orange flags on the golf course trails as conditions allow. The golf course and Cedar Trace trails will be rolled this morning December 4, 2025. No additional grooming will take place until we receive additional snow."
Love Creek: Saw this from Tuesday, could only be better after last nights snow:
Winter Trails Report 12-2-25: Things groomed out nicely today for those wanting to get in some early season winter recreation! All trails have been rolled and packed and a track has been set on the green XC ski loop. We are closed today, but will be available for equipment rentals tomorrow from 10am to 3pm. (Fat Bike trail will be soft)
Michaywe: Freshened up skate lanes and reset track on the front nine loop and reset track on the lake loop still receiving some light snow with wind. Open areas are prone to drifting. Conditions are firming up with the colder temperatures.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Fresh groom on coyote, hawk hills and cedar trace(contractors). No tracks. Still some scrub grass.
Best skating so far.
Thanks guys!!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received another inch throughout last night and temps are dropping fast! All trails are open, and Groomer Butch will have all trails snowcombed by early afternoon. The skate deck is setting up nicely, and classic tracks will be coming soon!. We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods. We started snowmaking on the practice field and are getting ready for a fun weekend.
Forbush Corner: East side trails will get a fresh groom today working in the several inches of new snow received over the last few days. We are working on getting more trails open by the weekend. Open 9 to 5, today thru Monday.
Hanson Hills: Lodge & XC Trail Report
Lodge and trails open at 9am today. Please note the Lodge will close early at 3pm for a private Christmas party, but our offices will remain open until 5pm for interviews, applications, and work-permit signing.
Cross Country Trail Report:
The entire trail system is freshly groomed with set tracks. Dan is out this morning combing the skate lanes with the Tidd Tech, keeping things smooth and fast. He also managed to set fresh tracks on Wilderness yesterday—perfect timing for anyone looking for a classic adventure.
See you on the snow!
More trail reports...
