Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
Liz Stephen crushes competition in Climb to the Castle
9/16/2012 - By Mike Muha
Liz Stephen handily won the 2012 Climb to the Castle by a commanding 5 minutes and 5 seconds over Jessie Diggins, 43:33 to 48:38.
More than 8,400 skiers registered for Birkie 2013
9/14/2012 - By Susan Kendrick
Keep an eye on these updates as the Birkie, Korte, and Prince Haakon events begin to approach the cap of 10,000. Right now a total of more than 8,400 skiers are registered. This means waves are starting to fill as well.
Salomon Equip 10 skate skis series
9/12/2012 - By Andrew Gerlach
Andrew Gerlach reviews the different Salomon Equip 10 Skate Ski models: SG, Cold and Warm.
New Alpina ESK Pro boot raises forefoot
9/11/2012 - By Mike muha
Kris Freeman shows off the features of his new Alpina ESK Pro skate boots, which angles the foot upward.
North Shore Rollerski Marathon on Sept 15
9/5/2012 - By North Shore Inline Marathon
Enjoy the country’s most scenic and exciting rollerski event along the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior! The 26.2 mile marathon begins just south of Two Harbors and continues along Scenic Hwy 61, rolling through the I-35 tunnels, and finishing...
What is a "race stock" cross country ski?
9/5/2012 - By Rick Halling
Some companies will offer dealers skis with names like RACE STOCK, CUSTOM SKIS or HAND PICKED for an additional charge. Some dealers, not all, will charge extra for these specially designated skis. Exactly what are these skis with fancy names?
Vasa Ski Club looking for volunteers to shovel snow
9/4/2012 - By Eli Brown
Vasa Ski Club hosts the 3rd Annual "first xc ski race of the season in America!". Course workers are needed to fill shifts for the 5 days up to the event.
Is your club on the list?
9/4/2012 - By CXC Skiing
Contribute to CXC's searchable database of Learn-To-Ski Programs, Cross-Country Teaching Pros, Equipment Rental Locations, Ski Clubs and Nordic Youth Events. If you have not done so already, please fill out a brief online form to submit your listing.
CXC Skiing Citizen Technique Camps - 3 New Locations
9/3/2012 - By Yuriy Gusev
These camps are designed for citizen skiers of all ages and abilities, focuse on technique, bust bad habits, and build new skills. The camps are in Illinois, Wisconson, and Minnesota.
Whiteface Climb to the Castle Rollerski Race Sept 15
8/31/2012 - By NYSEF
Climb to the top of Whiteface, New York’s 5th highest peak for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Adirondacks, New England and Canada.
Farmers Almanac: Expect snow and cold for 2013
8/30/2012 - By Caleb Weatherbee
The Farmers Almanac predicts that the warm weather we've had for the last couple of winters will come to and end in the Midwest this coming winte
US, Norweigian and Swedish skiers on Sognefjell glacier in Norway
8/30/2012 - By Rick Halling
For many years, top Norwegian and Swedish athletes have ventured north at the end of spring for extensive on snow training at the Sognefjell glacier in Norway. This spring, more US skiers have made the trip to Sognefjell than at anytime before.
UPCOMING
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)
THU, DEC 25, 2025
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, DEC 17
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Middle-of-the-Week Wednesday :) Wow, it was a windy one overnight....and continuing with quite a bit of wind this morning, kind of felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
There was no grooming overnight. The groomers will be out today cleaning up the trails.
Note: There is a big branch down on the Pinder 4k halfway to the White Pine extension over the skate lane.
Have a fantastic Wednesday!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The trails will be closed today and tomorrow to try to protect the base though the warm weather over the next 2 days. Things should get cold again Thursday night into Friday morning with a bit snow, so with any luck, we should still have good skiing by the weekend!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Skated Coyote from 8 to 10.
Softer and more control than Tuesday. Tracks are good with a lot of leaves.
Forbush Corner: Based on the predicted rain/warm temperatures we will continue to be closed today and Thursday. Should be able to reopen on Friday based on cooler temperatures returning.
Hanson Hills: It’s currently 36° and raining in Grayling, and with snow preservation in mind, we’ve made the decision to close the Cross Country Trail System for the day.
Warm rain is tough on our trails, and taking a short pause now helps protect the snow base so we can get everyone back out skiing sooner once conditions improve. We truly appreciate your cooperation and ask that you please respect the closure as we do our best to care for this precious winter resource.
Thank you for your understanding—and fingers crossed for colder temps ahead!
Huron Meadows Metropark: I skied from 10-11:30 today. A very icy wind blown skate deck but still fun. Classic tracks were mostly intact on cedar trace and coyote run, but wind had filled them in on hawks hills. I had a very nice ski.
Huron Meadows Metropark: I skied from 10-11:30 today. A very icy wind blown skate deck but still fun. Classic tracks were mostly intact on cedar trace and coyote run, but wind had filled them in on hawks hills. I had a very nice ski.
TUE, DEC 16
Vasa Trail: Fairly fast conditions on a firm deck this morning. Rex blue was the glide wax. Completed the 25k and 5k loop. Some dirt showing from the grooming effort. Would recommend B skis. Otherwise a good course and fun ski.
Independance Oaks: Start@ 10:00 AM. Trail hardpack with 1/2" of powder on top. No tracks. Swix Blue worked well. Snow softened up a bit after noon. Overall, a good ski with full coverage and minimal leaves. Get it while you can.
Crystal Mountain: Thanks to a significant accumulation of natural snow, we are currently sitting on a deep, solid base. Our grooming crew has been out in full force, and we are happy to report that the entire 25 km network is 100% groomed and in peak condition.
Classic tracks have been set and are firm, and coverage is excellent. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy these great conditions while they last.
Nubs Nob: All trails power-tilled flat with a classic track and wide skate deck. Conditions are very good.
Boyne Highlands: Unfortunately, The Highlands will have limited XC skiing available this season. There will be a trail on the golf course. Rentals will be available through the downhill center. The XC shop will not open.
Boyne Mountain: Lower trails are groomed and good to go! Upper trails need raspberries trimmed, which will happen soon. The shop and trails will open on Friday, December 19 for the season, from 9 to 5 daily.
Huron Meadows Metropark: I started skiing about 12:30, classic. Skate lanes were hard and fast - pick out your most stable skis of you plan to skate anywhere but Buck's Run.
There are classic tracks beside all skate trails. They vary from rock hard nice tracks (Cedar Trace / contractor's trail) to a mix of nice track/skied -in snow-blow track (golf course trails) to deep perfect tracks (Buck's Run). Connector trails did have track: the trail to Cedar Trace had no track, and the trail directly adjacent to Buck's Run had no track. No track was set where the snow depth wasn't there.
Overall, I had a good classic ski! It's was already 28 when I got to the park, but Toko Yellow kick wax worked pretty well on the mix of snow conditions.
Huron Meadows Metropark: I skied from 10-11:30 today. A very icy wind blown skate deck but still fun. Classic tracks were mostly intact on cedar trace and coyote run, but wind had filled them in on hawks hills. I had a very nice ski.
Hiawatha Highlands: Hey everybody....happy Tuesday :)
The groomer was out last night -- the entire Pinder system and the 2k Lighted were Piston Bully groomed both classic and skate.
We hope everybody has a fantastic day!!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am.
Fresh corduroy is laid down on Blue, Brown, Yellow, and M-93 Hills this morning.
Wilderness has fresh classic tracks set yesterday—prime conditions to get out and ski!
MON, DEC 15
Kensington Metropark: Excellent classic conditions on back loops. Good track set, I would not recommend skating…deck is hard and a little narrow. The dusting of snow made great kick with swix blue extra, what else? Golf course looked good for skating.
Crystal Mountain: We were blessed with about 10 inches of snow over the weekend which is a good thing except now the skating lanes are soft again. I got everything groomed and trackset but it was so windy a lot of spots got drifted over. This new snow will help us get through the predicted warm up and rain on Thursday. I will regroom everything again tomorrow. Did I mention that we widened all the hills? They should be better for the skaters and herringboning. We also have some nice retail items in the tent-sweaters, hats, gloves etc. Come check it out.
Dunes Golf Club: Fantastic classic conditions continue. It is a great that there is plowed at the entrance!
To really get out of the gusty winds the back half that is not visable from the road is fairly protected the way that the fairways situated.
Wilderness skiing on a mowed base.
still no charge or park pass
4mi east of empire on m-72 (the original m-22 bypass)
Sleeping Bear Dunes: Finally the friends group started posting trail/grooming on their website only, sbht winter page is where you can find semi current trail conditions.
Grooming is on Fridays only on the heritage trail as per friends group which is better knowing when to expect this activity. They also groom Palmer woods mid week. If you look Palmer woods shows up with Palmer woods ski trail report.
Both areas have had decent snows with Palmer woods winning on depth. For years I have tried the group post o NCR but no luck.
That said , Friday's groom lasted through today, monday. Strider tracks were nice while the narrow skate deck was doable but has the same challenges.
Too bad the weather forecast has not been positive and we'll see what develops of course. This is the best for early December ever and hopefully nature will repair this.
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Michaywe: Received a dusting of snow overnight. Groomed skate lanes and set track on the lake loop, maple ridge, herringbone, the river trail, and the front 9 loop. Conditions continue to remain good.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 1-2 of inches of snow last night. All trails have firm, deep classic tracks and snow-combed skate lanes. Prime conditions prevail! The Stone Turtle Cafe is open for lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Monday Morning!
FYI: We've had machinery failure out on the Pinder 4K, so be careful as the groomers are out there retrieving the machine. They hope to be able to take the Piston Bully out afterwards, watch for further updates.
Have a great day :)
Hanson Hills: A light dusting of snow overnight was just what the trails needed. Conditions are dialed in, so we’re giving them the respect they deserve and keeping the big machine off for now.
Groomer Dan is out exploring and breaking trail on Wilderness, with hopes of setting fresh tracks.
Lodge & Trails Open at 9am
Smooth skiing, great coverage, and that quiet-up-north magic. Get outside and enjoy it while it’s this good
Forbush Corner: Mid winter conditions continue today at the Corner. No new grooming planned today as trails are in really good shape from efforts over the weekend. Open 9 to 5.
More trail reports...
