Michigan: Northern Lower Peninsula

North of West Branch; includes Traverse City, Grayling, Gaylord, Tawas

Fri, Mar 27: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

We will be out grooming again tomorrow morning. Results have been springlike, fast solid skate deck early that softens with traffic and warming temperatures, and classic tracks that are fast early and variable in depth. Coverage is still 100%. Open at 9. Gates close at 5.


- Mike

Fri, Mar 27: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Great day of classic and skate skiing today. Classic tracks were shallow but still very skiable. Skate lane hard and fast. All east side trails and pines loop all groomed. Nice job groomers.
Thanks for a great day everyone at Forbush!!

- Michael Hultman

Fri, Mar 27: Nubs Nob (Harbor Springs)

If there is a Holy Grail for skate and classic Nordic Skiing , it is at Nubs Nob today !

- Stephen Biggs

Thu, Mar 26: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

The rain is moving out soon and the temps will be dropping well below freezing tonight, allowing us to head out on the trails tomorrow. We still have 100% coverage, but expect that the grooming will be a bit slower than usual. East side trails and Pines Loop will get the fresh groom. Trails and shop open at 9. Gates close at 5. (We plan to be open tomorrow through Monday).

- Mike

Wed, Mar 25: Nubs Nob (Harbor Springs)

Absolutely great today . Nubs groomers are showing off their deep hard pack base with near daily grooming and fresh snow contributions. The Spring Sweat Spot seems consistent between 10 AM to 1:30 pm . Not to be missed !

- Stephen Biggs

Wed, Mar 25: Nubs Nob (Harbor Springs)

Perfect late March conditions this AM on all the upper and lower loops. With the base being measured in feet, and persistent grooming, this Friday-Sunday AM should be some of the best conditions of the entire winter at Nubs!

- ZJ

Wed, Mar 25: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)

Well, despite our best efforts, we are going to shut down the trail system for the season. Too many barespots and debris. We are closing the Cafe for the season as well. We will likely have a 'trail cleanup BBQ' sometime in early may, and rest assured, the trails will be glorious by next season.

We are incredibly grateful for the epic winter we had and all the wonderful skiing we got to do! Certainly a winter for the books. Thank you for skiing with us this year and bringing such good cheer to the skiing community. May the 'off-season' treat you well, and we look forward to skiing with you next year!

- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew

Tue, Mar 24: Hickory Hills (Traverse City)

Excellent skiing at Hickory this morning. The Hills were completely groomed with the Pisten Bully. Good corduroy in the skate lane and deep classic tracks. The Meadows were groomed with the Tidd Tech behind a Gator. Upper Meadows had a nice skate lane, and deep classic tracks from yesterday's PB groom. East Meadows were groomed, but the Tidd Tech couldn't cut through the ski ruts and posthole footprints. Skiable, but not enjoyable. Stick to the Upper Meadows and Hills.

- Bryce Dreeszen

Mon, Mar 23: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Here is our plan going forward into the week. The shop will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. The side gate on Roberts Rd will be left open, and the trails will be available to ski. If not a season pass holder, please leave a $10 trail fee in the slot provided near the east shop entrance.

On Friday, we will resume full operation through Monday. We expect that this will be it for the season.

- Mike

Mon, Mar 23: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Temps went below zero last night and some light lake effect snow is falling. We will be grooming, check Nordic pulse on our website later this morning for the fresh groom. We still have 100% coverage on our trail system. Open at 9. Gates close at 5.

- Mike

Mon, Mar 23: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

My third ski in the last 5 days and it was wonderful. I used my good skis on the beautiful corduroy. Glide was fast control perfect. I did pines to Hartwick Pines back on AB down that wonderful hill to Badlands loop to ridge. Could be my last day but what a winner. Thank you Forbush ( and Mother Nature) for this wonderful season.

- Linda Weeks Kaleita

Mon, Mar 23: Dunes Golf Club (Empire)

Finally a very supportive crust has developed.
Cold nights and cold days with sunny times helps maintain funness!
Always use caution as crust has some surprises.
At the dunes golf conditions are more predictable and tree shading extends ski time as things soften throughout the day.
Crust areas are area wide like open farmland (corn and hay fields).
Limited parking at entrance
Serious fun
4mi east or Empire on m-72

- Kevinski slowski

Mon, Mar 23: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Temps went below zero last night and some light lake effect snow is falling. We will be grooming, check Nordic pulse on our website later this morning for the fresh groom. We still have 100% coverage on our trail system. Open at 9. Gates close at 5.

- Mike

Sun, Mar 22: Nubs Nob (Harbor Springs)

Top 2-3 skate of the season this AM at Nubs. Firm and fast powertilled cord on all the loops with a deep track set. After 3+ feet of snow last weekend conditions have been world class since Tuesday. Forecast looks great for this upcoming week and World Cup level grooming will continue until they close in two weeks. Hard to imagine better conditions anywhere in North America currently. Thank you to the crew at Nubs for their commitment to Nordic skiing. Thanks to their efforts we have had an amazing uninterrupted season out there since December 1.

- ZJ

Sun, Mar 22: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

The weird concrete snow that we received from the last storm turned into sugar mush yesterday once it was groomed. It rained this morning and is close to freezing. It's to warm to groom with the Pisten Bully at this time. We are going to try to use the Tiddtech to smooth out the skate lanes on the loop. If the base is too soft for the snowmobile we will not continue grooming. Classic tracks are icy at this. Colder temps tonight will allow us to groom on Monday. Base is in great shape with 100% coverage.

- Ann Wagar