Fri, Dec 26: Elk Rapids Golf Course (Elk Rapids)
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
- Jim Datsko
Fri, Dec 26: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
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!
- XCSKIHQ
Fri, Dec 26: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Update. No new grooming today. Will just have to wait out the rain, freezing rain and warmish temps.
- MDB
Fri, Dec 26: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
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.
- Justin Andre
Thu, Dec 25: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Posting a day early so you can make your plans tomorrow!
We are entering our Holiday stretch. Open tomorrow, 9 to 5, December 26 through January 5th. Then back to normal, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Trails are in good shape and there is snow in the forecast. The entire trail system is open, tracked throughout. We have been out clearing leaners and face slappers. Expect some thin spots and some tree debris in the wooded areas. Due to the weather forecast tomorrow for sleet/freezing rain, the man made snow loops might be the only grooming undertaken.
- MDB
Thu, Dec 25: Hickory Hills (Traverse City)
Merry Christmas to all. Bay Meadows at Hickory Hills was groomed today and if you like fast, controllable conditions, it's the best its been all year!! They didn;t groom everything, but was groomed was outstanding. Get out and Ski! Cliff Onthank. PS Sign up for the Vasa ski race.
- Cliff
Wed, Dec 24: Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville)
We’re still seeing good coverage throughout most of our trail system! The flats are ready for you, though we’ve had to put the hills on pause for just a bit. The great news? Next week’s forecast is calling for more snow, which should really help us dial in those conditions.
If you're heading out, the morning sessions are definitely the way to go. Our grooming crews have been hard at work, and the trails are at their best when the temperatures are still crisp. See you out there!
- Brittany Roberts
Wed, Dec 24: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Though not perfect the trails were wonderful to skate on this morning. It was 30 degrees and they were fast even on my rock skis waxed with scraped storage wax. (Sad I Know ). Trails were freshly, lightly groomed so control was excellent. Skating was best at least on all trails as track icy though Wilderness looked better. Some dirt sticks and leaves but avoidable. I did yellow brown and blue both ways. So much fun. My early Christmas present. Saw skiers from Vasa and Forbush, smiles abounded to be on such lovely trails.
- Linda Weeks Kaleita
Wed, Dec 24: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
After the warmup yesterday, things cooled back down overnight and the grooming team is out there this morning scraping up some of the glazed over sections. Some areas in the shade are still quite nice, but there are also some slick sections out there that would respond well to metal edge skis. Looks like snow Friday morning, so we should have nice skiing this weekend!
- XCSKIHQ
Wed, Dec 24: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Warm temps yesterday, but everything firmed back up overnight and the trails are holding up well. Groomer Dan is out with the PB 100 this morning, scratching up the skate lanes on Yellow, Brown, and Blue to freshen things up.
Lodge and Trails open at 9am.
Get out and enjoy it!
- Justin Andre
Tue, Dec 23: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
We received about a half inch of dense, fresh snow overnight. This has improved the trail surface significantly, as it has covered the pine needles and oak leaves with great success. The snow itself is pretty moist, but snow nonetheless! Enjoy the conditions early today as temps are on the rise. Classic tracks will be nice this morning. Day lodge and cafe are open.
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Tue, Dec 23: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Due to warmer snow conditions, we’ve decided to keep grooming equipment off the trails for now to protect the base. The good news—conditions are still skiing well, so get out and enjoy a great day on the snow.
Lodge and Trails open at 9am
- Justin Andre
Mon, Dec 22: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Super fast, glazed, crunchy goodness, flying down the tracks. 27° F at 11 AM, no new snow, no wind. Rex liquid red klister was perfect, fast climbs and descents on fresh groom on Home Run Hill. Freeway connector was especially nice- deep, molded tracks, clean snow. Other fast skiers were using zero skis or skating..Tiny bits of drizzle and bursts of fat snowflakes near 12 gave way to softer snow by 2pm. Could still do fast laps on Linda’s link, though my grip could not hold for tracks on the hills at end, 34°F.
- Mary McKinley
Mon, Dec 22: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
- The Forbush crew
Mon, Dec 22: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
Good morning! Groomer Mike snow combed all the trails this morning, leaving the trail surface very nice. The big debris has been cleared, but there are still little bits of debris down on the trails from the big winds of the last couple days. All trails are open. Classic tracks are in mixed condition, with some parts OK, and some parts washed out and/or glazed. The cafe and day lodge are open!
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Mon, Dec 22: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Lodge and Trails are open at 9am.
All Trails, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, and Sue’s Return have a packed skate deck with set tracks from yesterday.
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing M-93 and Red.
Wilderness has tracks set on Saturday and is skiing well.
Enjoy the trails and have a great ski day!
- Justin Andre
Mon, Dec 22: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
- The Forbush crew
Sun, Dec 21: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Mark your calendar’s and make your plans. Here is our Holiday schedule. We will be closed Dec 23, 24 and 25th. Then open on Dec 26th through Jan 5th, weather permitting. Happy Holidays!
- MDB
Sun, Dec 21: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
17° and light wind, 1” snow overnight. I used my classic skis prepped and skied late yesterday afternoon. I skated 9 miles yesterday in great conditions, a combo of east and west side trails, as the whole system was freshly groomed. Noting while I skated that the classic track was rocket fast, Saturday late afternoon (34° F), I put a thin layer of Swix Blue klister on my Atomic ARCs and ironed it smooth. 1 mile test showed it was not quite grippy enough, so I added a layer of Rex liquid red klister. I skied 3.5 miles, including going up home run Hill in the track, after picking several Pineneedles out of the klister. Despite the temperature today being much colder, the skis worked perfectly! Less than a handful of leaf pieces adhered to the skis, no Pine needles at all, 11 miles, the loop, roller coaster, West side 8–11x2, A-D round trip. I chose blue klister yesterday because of the prediction that the temperature would be much colder today. More Rex red likely will be required tomorrow when temperatures come up to mid 30s. Given no significant snow in the near forecast, klister
or skins will be the best choice in these conditions.
- Mary McKinley
Sun, Dec 21: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Trail System received about an inch of new snow since yesterdays grooming.
PB 100 was out at 5am, Yellow, Brown, Blue, All Trails, Green are combed and tracked. Easy Return and M-93 have a combing pass down them. Wilderness received fresh tracks yesterday. Get out and Ski!
- Justin Andre
Sun, Dec 21: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
Strong, blustery winds blew down upon the trails last night, leaving a bunch of branches and a few down trees. Trail clean-up operations are under way, but there will be no grooming until the trails are cleaned up and cleared of debris. Trails are open, but there are many sticks and pine needles, rock skis may be advised. There is snow in fore cast for tomorrow, so hopefully we can get back to grooming tomorrow evening or Tuesday!
- XCSKIHQ
Sun, Dec 21: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Quick update. Per our Nordic pulse on our website, looks like Larry has hit the west side trails in addition to east side. Should be really good skiing over there today
- MDB
Sun, Dec 21: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Per the calendar, winter officially arrives today. The last few days have been pretty windy with some snow mixed in. Trails are in nice shape, the only issue being tree debris scattered about in the wooded areas. Waxless skis (skins/fishscales) were the best choice yesterday for classic skiers, skaters just needed to avoid bark and pine cones. Since the whole system was groomed yesterday, Larry is just going to re-groom the 240 loop and Ridge.
- MDB
Sat, Dec 20: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Put your worries about the warm up on the trails aside. Hanson was perfect today. 28 degrees windy only in the open areas. Could use good skis as no dirt or leaves on the skate deck. Firm and fast, my favorite conditions. Tracks looked great for classic as well. Looked like Team from Hanson hills out in full force!
- Linda Weeks Kaleita
Sat, Dec 20: Michaywe (Gaylord)
Did a full groom and track set on the entire trail system. Open areas on both golf course loops and the lake loop have some wind blown areas. There is tree debris in some areas as well. The best snow conditions are on herringbone and the river trail. Full-service bar & dining located on the ski trail at Michaywe. "Inn the Woods" Restaurant is open Tuesday - Saturday. Visit www.michaywe.com for hours & menu.
- Michael Normand
Sat, Dec 20: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
After cold temps and a bit of snow yesterday and last night, the trails are looking much better. The groomer is out snowcombing and chewing up the crust to make for great skate lanes, and we will cut some tracks as well. Should be a great day for skiing!
- XCSKIHQ
Sat, Dec 20: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Trails are looking great! Groomer Dan is out this morning Combing skate lanes and resetting tracks on the main trail system with the PB 100. Lodge and Trails Open 9am.
Downhill and Tubing Operations will begin today as well! Stop in and grab a bite to eat and a warm hot cocoa after your ski!! Or stay and make a few runs down the Tubing Hill!
- Justin Andre
Sat, Dec 20: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
The Corner survived the rain and warmup, and it actually made our good trail base even better. An additional 4 inches of snow during the day yesterday didn’t hurt either. Albeit very windy and snowy weather, skiers were out and reporting that conditions were really good and not icy.
Full system groom today, including Pines Loop down into Hartwick Pines. Looks to be windy and a little snowy today, temperatures reaching the low 30’s. Open 9 to 5.
- MDB
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