Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
Frosty Fest Registration is Now Open!
12/17/2024 - By Ken Roth
Registration for the 2025 Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic is now open. Cool new sunglasses for the 1st 150 registrations, new hats for age group awards!
The great plan for the race within a race
12/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
The Forbush Time Trail my first race of the season and I was determined to beat my training partner, Tony Percha. This is the story of my grand plan to bring Tony down!
RESULTS: Forbush Time Trial victories for Jorden Wakeley and Kaitlyn Vanias
12/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
Congratulations to Jorden Wakeley and Kaitlyn Vanias for taking the wins at the Forbush Time Trial! Jorden, you skied the course in 15 minutes flat! WOW! Kaitlyn: 17:25 and just beating Erica Ohearn and all but 14 of the men in a strong field? WOW!
Wax recommendations! Let the ski racing season begin!
12/12/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's races! (Hey Swix, FastWax, Rex, Rode, Solda...how about some recommendations....)
PSIA (Professional Ski Instructor Association) Clinics for 2025
11/27/2024 - By Amy Powell
PSIA has a clinic for everyone! It will equip you with the resources and knowledge to enhance your personal skiing and teaching skills.
Vasa honors skiers who have completed 30 or more Vasa races
11/18/2024 - By Ken Dawson
New this year, the North American Vasa will honor the tradition of the 49th annual NAV race by giving special recognition to the skiers that have completed 30 or more Vasa races.
High School Nordic Race Ski Equipment Rental Program
11/17/2024 - By Mariah Frye
Cross Country Ski Headquarters (XC Ski HQ) will offer a cross country ski equipment season rental program to junior racers this season.
Toko Nordic Fixation Options
11/4/2024 - By Ian Harvey
It’s time to think about setting up your ski and snowboard preparation area. Here are our options regarding tables and vises.
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.
UPCOMING
SUN, DEC 28, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski: JoeFrye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
THU, JAN 1, 2026
SAT, JAN 3, 2026
Winter Wolf Skiathlon
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, Michigan 49738 (989-348-9266)
Skate and Classic Ski Clinics with Jordyn Ross
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 4, 2026
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Skate and Classic Ski Clinics with Jordyn Ross
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
US Cross-Country National Championships - 10 km Interval Start Classic
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Eric McDonald Live (2:30-4:30)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
MON, JAN 5, 2026
Discover Michigan Cross Country Skiing Program
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
TUE, JAN 6, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
THU, JAN 8, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Mass Start Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
FRI, JAN 9, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Classic
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
SAT, JAN 10, 2026
Vasa Raptor Rush Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SISU Ski Fest
ABR Trails, E5299 West Pioneer Road, Ironwood, MI 49938
“Pure Michigan” Winter Trails Day with the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Frosty Freestyle 5K/15K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 11, 2026
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Krazy Klassic 7K/12K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Golden Years Ski School!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
MON, JAN 12, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SUN, DEC 28
Hickory Hills: Just came back from CO where it was over 70d. Not much snow out west in the mountains or Utah and New Mexico. Hoping to get back and ski over at Hickory Hills and found it surprisingly good. This place is definitely the "get no respect" Nordic ski area, but it is a great place to ski and thanks to the likes of coach K and the other groomers, Hickory has a solid base that should last all winter. The continuous grooming has been remarkable in creating a wonderful ski experience for all ability levels. On some days I saw as many skiers at Hickory as I have on the Vasa Trail. There were at least 8-10 skiers when I was out there. Best to skate ski right now until we get more snow.
Stokely Creek: Double pole-o-rama on a glazed track with a freezing mist on yesterday's groom. Somewhat chunky and highly variable in the tight turns if you stepped out of the track. Skating on stiff skis would have been a good call too. Fingers crossed the coming storm doesn't bring down too much debris.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Currently 32F and misting. No grooming today. Trails will close at noon to protect the base during the rain/mix that is coming around 1pm. Wintery mix will be transitioning to snow around 1AM. We are forecasted to get a good amount of snow after this warm front moves through, and our base should hold up so we should be back to good conditions hopefully by Monday afternoon. Hold fast!
Forbush Corner: Current situation at the corner is a coating of freezing rain. We will be closed today. Roads are glare ice with a steady rain moving in this afternoon. It's not safe to drive and it isn't fun to ski in anyways. Snow returns tonight into tomorrow. Base is in good shape and skiing should be great after this storm passes.
Hanson Hills: Freezing rain this morning, with more expected this afternoon, has led us to close the Lodge and Trail System today. With the current ice, it’s best to keep grooming equipment off the trails and let the base set up.
The good news is the forecast is calling for a changeover to snow, which should be a big help for trail conditions heading into Winter Wolf weekend.
We’re planning to reopen tomorrow, and Groomer Dan will be out early to check conditions and start grooming. See you tomorrow.
SAT, DEC 27
Forbush Corner: I just have to give Forbush a Thank you for the great trails yesterday. Who knew mini hail would be wicked fast. I think I caught air on Dorothy’s dip!! I did all snowmaking loops old ridge, badlands, all roller coaster and little coaster. All wonderful. Still on old skis with storage wax, I need to take this icky day to wax and scrape. Saw Wendy, Gwenn and others all having a great day. Dirt was minimal mostly just some needles here and there.
Corsair Ski Trails: Very hard pack base, no groom or tracks. Several inches of fresh corn snow on top made it skiable and very fast! Don't forget the Klister!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Highly variable, but decent conditions this morning for skate and classic. If you're looking to get out and ski, do it this afternoon; the park has already decided to close for tomorrow. Given how thin the snow coverage is it's doubtful they'll be able to reopen until they spread more snow, and based on past practices, that's unlikely to happen until after New Year . But check anyways in case we get lucky.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After the corn snow yesterday, groomer mike groomed the whole trail system and then we let it harden up overnight making for pretty darn fine conditions! All trails are snowcombed and most of the tracks have been reset. Groomer Mike is going around again and both the skating lanes and classic tracks are in good shape. Come on out and ski!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am
Groomer Dan is out with PB100 combing and setting fresh tracks on All Trails, Yellow, Blue and Brown this morning.
Next weekend is the Winter Wolf!! Sign up now: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/WinterWolfSkiathlon
Forbush Corner: Looks like today is the calm before the storm. Planning on close to a full system groom today. East side first, Pines loop and then West side. There will be some thin spots and scattered debris in the woods, but overall trails are tracked over a solid skate deck. Based on the rainy/sleet forecast tomorrow, we expect to be CLOSED. Hopefully the snow returns Sunday night, Monday. That should set us up for a great week of skiing. Open 9 to 5 today.
FRI, DEC 26
Dunes Golf Club: A visit at the dunes golf club this afternoon found that striders were out.
Snow is thin but semi solid in the front area BUT great coverage through out all areas. Hopefully the forecast stiffens it up before we get more snow. The base is still there.
Think snow
Elk Rapids Golf Course: Fastest grass I've ever skied. With the Vasa lacking snow, and with 1/4" of ice on my front sidewalk from today's freezing rain, I decided to give the ERGC across the street a try. It was essentially bare grass conditions, but the 1/4" of ice on everything made the grass, the leaves, everything nice and fast getting at least 1 foot of glide from each ski. I had a thin residue layer of SkiGo Blue Skate wax on these classic waxable rock skis that was previously put on weeks ago for anti-clumping, so maybe that wax contributed to the free speed. It was like frost skiing on steroids
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We are currently in the midst of an ice storm, which is much better than rain! The ice should give way to snow around 11am, and we are hoping for a little accumulation on top of the micro-hail. The base is holding up well and this bit of frozen precipitation (whatever for it takes) will certainly help the trails. Our plan is to groom either later this afternoon after the snow, or to let it set up overnight and groom early tomorrow. Either way, we should have pretty darn good skiing tomorrow!
Forbush Corner: Update. No new grooming today. Will just have to wait out the rain, freezing rain and warmish temps.
Hanson Hills: Groomer Dan is out this morning with the PB 100, laying fresh comb on the skate lanes where conditions allow.
We’re keeping a close eye on the forecast today. A wintry mix is possible, and if it shifts more toward rain, grooming operations will pause for the day to protect the base.
Classic tracks are a few days old and currently glazed. We have not reset them due to concern that, once removed, we may not be able to re-establish them. Tracks are thin in spots.
The good news: the base is holding strong. We’re really just a little fresh snow away from refreshing the entire system.
More trail reports...
