Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
A quest for the perfect water bottle belt, Part 6
12/13/2011 - By Mike Muha
This belt is more of a specialty belt. My Sony DSC-H50 camera (right) is a little on the large size and doesn't fit into a normal water bottle belt. I need something with a bigger pocket to hold it.
Michigan Tech puts 4 in Top 10
12/12/2011 - By MichiganTech
Michigan Tech posted four top-10 finishes in the 10-kilometer classic races at the Wolverine Challenge Sunday (Dec. 11).
NMU skiers perform well in Season Opener
12/12/2011 - By Joe Buczek
“It’s a really good start to the season,” said head coach Sten Fjedheim. “There wasn’t much snow so the course was challenging but our team is well trained and handled it well.”
A quest for the perfect water bottle belt, Part 5
12/12/2011 - By Mike Muha
The horizontal water bottle holder is OK, but the huge cargo space makes this water bottle belt a winner for classic skiers or folks who want to carry more gear.
Kikkan Randall wins with big margin
12/11/2011 - By USSA
The U.S. Ski Team's Kikkan Randall turned on the afterburners in the backstretch and left the field stranded as she won her second straight FIS Cross Country World Cup sprint in the Swiss resort of Davos.
Team Podium for Fletcher, Hendrickson
12/11/2011 - By USSA
The U.S. Ski Team's Taylor Fletcher and Nick Hendrickson came from behind to strike the podium in a three way battle with France and Germany in a team sprint Saturday at Soldier Hollow.
Finding early snow...in Canada
12/11/2011 - By Eli Brown
Trying to make winter happen...we drove to Hiawatha Highlands in Soo Canada. 2pm groomed wasn't bad!
WinterSonnenwende race at risk: Where's the snow?
12/9/2011 - By Chris Dandeneau
With the impending weather forecast of minimal snow, the viability of pulling off the WinterSonnenwende next weekend (December 17) decreases daily. I am hopeful, but also realistic.
Ten Metroparks in Southeast Michigan offer skiing, rentals
12/9/2011 - By Huron-Clinton Metroparks
Snow is just around the corner and it’s never too early to begin thinking about how you can best enjoy the chilly months ahead. Ten Metroparks provide seasonal cross-country ski trails, and five of those parks rent ski equipment.
2011-12 NMU Nordic season preview
12/8/2011 - By Joe Buczek
Sten Fjeldheim begins his 22nd winter at the helm of the Northern Michigan University men’s and women’s Nordic ski teams in 2011-12.
NTN open XC ski trails to Skijourers and snow bikers
12/8/2011 - By Noquemanon Trail Network
This year the NTN will be introducing two new winter disciplines; skijoring and snow biking. Skijourers and snow bikers will be able to enjoy designated trails at the Forestville Trail system with the purchase of an NTN Membership.
Third shock's the charm
12/7/2011 - By Mike Muha
I sort of left it as a cliff hanger last week: Did the electrical shock to my heart get me out of atrial fibrillation (AF)? It did, but not quite the way anyone, including my doctors, expected it to.
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
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)
Eric McDonald Live (2:30-4:30)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, DEC 19
Dunes Golf Club: Thanks Ken,
The dunes has always been an amazing place the way it repairs itself after a weather event that we just had. The topography sets it up as as snow catcher in a gorgeous setting.
Plowed parking at entrance.
4mi east of Empire on m-72
No charge no park pass
Dunes Golf Club: Fresh snow on top of good base. Great Evo conditions, setting track for Karen skiing behind me. She sad a good equalizer. Nice base everywhere on golf course. Looks like we didn't receive much rain which was great to keep what we had. Skied 18 holes under par.
Kenny Slower Skier
Huron Meadows Metropark: There was a tree down blocking most of the trail at around 3:30. Marv, Vasili and I cleared most of it. Otherwise, the trail in the woods was great, pretty fast. No connector. Had to walk across the golf course
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks is open. No connector. It is pretty much how you’d expect. Fast and a bit icy in a couple spots, but mostly controllable for skating. There are tracks which looked solid but some parts looked quite icy. Only one small dirt spot near the top of the “big hill. There is however quite a bit of small debris blown on to it.
Hanson Hills: 12/19/2025
Trail Closure Update
Trails are OPEN! As of 1:30pm we have combed Red, Yellow, Blue, M-93 Hills. Tracks have been set on All Trails out to Blue, Blue to Sue's Return.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Posting from Huron Meadows Metropark website: "Bucks Run will be groomed for skate and classic skiing today, but please know that there is no connector trail available. Without the connector available you will have to walk to the start of the trail. For your safety and the safety of our staff please adhere to Bucks Run hours. Bucks Run is open Monday – Friday 12 pm – 7:45 pm and Saturday – Sunday 9 am – 7:45 pm, weather and conditions permitting.
Due to the weather conditions yesterday no other trails are available at this time."
Hanson Hills: Operations Update
Trails will remain closed today.
The rain has moved on, and now we’re in patient mode—waiting for that moisture in our snow base to lock back up so we can safely fire up the grooming equipment. Cold temps, do your thing.
Forbush Corner: Larry is grooming east side trails. Current temp is 19. Moist new snow over skate deck. Same for tracks.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Friday! It is snowing up here (great job keeping your dancing shoes on)! However, the conditions this morning are icy on top with slush underneath due to the amount of rain we got yesterday and into the evening.
The groomers rolled all the systems yesterday in preparation for the dropping temperatures. Tracks were not set. They will be waiting until we get more snow to get back out on the trails.
Reminder: Jackrabbit program runs tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
We hope everyone has a great Friday!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Although the temps have gotten back below freezing, we still need to let the trails firm back up from the warm wet weather yesterday. The trials will be closed today in order to make sure we can have good skiing for the weekend. Luckily, we still have a good base, and, it is snowing right now and we should see a little accumulation today. We plan to head out either sometime later today or tomorrow morning to scrape up the crusty top coat and blend it with the new snow to get some great skiing for tomorrow and through the weekend. We'll be skiing again in no time!
Forbush Corner: Winter has returned overnight. Flash freeze, lake effect and windy conditions will contribute to taking longer today to determine a grooming plan, so consider delaying coming out right away.
THU, DEC 18
Forbush Corner: Just confirming that we will be closed today due to the rain and warm up. Cold temperatures will return tomorrow along with some lake effect snow. We do plan on reopening tomorrow and welcome the return of winter over the weekend.
Hanson Hills: Trail Closure Update
Due to today’s rain and warmer temperatures, we are temporarily closing our Cross Country and Fat Bike Trails until colder conditions allow the trails to firm back up. This helps protect the trail surface so we can get back to great conditions as soon as possible.
Please be mindful if you are skiing, walking, hiking, or snowshoeing. A good general rule of thumb: if you are sinking in and leaving ruts or footprints, the trails are too soft and we ask that you discontinue that activity.
Thank you for your patience and for helping us protect the trails—we’ll be back to smooth conditions soon.
More trail reports...
