Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports that the ice storm took its toll on the ski trail, with downed trees and sticks lodged in the ice. They are working to open a trail. Forbush Corner is still investigating the damage but hopes to have something open this coming Thursday.
FIS Awards Homologation Certification to Hickory Hills
11/13/2023 - By City of Traverse City
Hickory Hills becomes the only homologated cross-country ski course in Michigan’s lower peninsula and joins two other homologated courses in Michigan, both in the Upper Peninsula: Ishpeming and Houghton. There are only 37 homologated courses in the US.
What to do with new or freshly stoneground skis?
11/1/2023 - By Iain Harvey
OK, so you got some new skis or you stoneground some skis... There are three steps you need to make the skis ready for snow.
Roller Ski Clinic with Jordyn Ross
10/31/2023 - By Mariah Frye
UPDATED! It's getting cold in the north woods, time to start your ski season training! Cross Country Ski Headquarters is hosting a Roller Ski Clinic with Jordyn Ross on Saturday, November 11th.
Toko: New Nordic products for this season
10/24/2023 - By Ian Harvey
Toko has a number of new products including High Performance Powders, to be applied on top of a hot waxed and scraped and brushed HP layer.
Toko Brand Overview
10/17/2023 - By Toko
We are innovation driven: first dedicated waxing iron, first fluorinated hydrocarbon glide wax (ie HF, LF), first brand to use molybdenum, first perfluorocarbon in bloc form (Streamline/WetJet/JetStream).
What's new at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters
10/13/2023 - By Mariah Frye Colie
In a busy world, plan simple, authentic winter fun at Cross Country Ski Headquarters!
2023-24 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announced
10/11/2023 - By U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announces the 23 athletes representing the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season.
FIS Fluor ban in effect: Clean your skis and wax tools!
10/11/2023 - By Mike Muha
After passing a ban on fluor waxes in November of 2019, the FIS has finally decided to enforce it during the 2023-2024 season. The delay came from the inability of the FIS to find a way a reliable and cost-effective method to detect fluor on skis.
Coaches form Michigan Junior Nordic Ski Association
10/10/2023 - By Mike Muha
Lower and upper peninsula junior coaches have formed the Michigan Junior Nordic Ski Association (MJNSA) to increase the range of opportunities for athletes in 6th through 12th grade, including camps, races, and other Nordic events throughout the year.
Banff Film Festival in Traverse City on October 12
10/9/2023 - By Judy Vajda
The Banff Film Festival is a world-renowned celebration of outdoor adventure and exploration through the captivating medium of film. Originating in Banff, Canada, this festival has evolved into a global phenomenon.
Skin-Y secret
10/4/2023 - By George Frye
XC SKI HQ Manager and Race Team Member George Frye shares his skin ski breakthrough from the race course last season!
Michigan Cup Committe drops Noquemanon
9/18/2023 - By Mike Muha
The Michigan Cup Committee The Michigan Cup Committee voted unanimously to drop the Noquemanon Ski Marathon from the Michigan Cup series.
UPCOMING
FRI, MAR 20, 2026
FRI, MAR 27, 2026
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 1.5km classic sprint
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
SAT, MAR 28, 2026
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 4 x 5km mixed gender club relay
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
Team NSR End-of-Season and Groomer Appreciation Party!
Huron Meadows Metropark Ski Center, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
SUN, MAR 29, 2026
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 40km freestyle mass start
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
TUE, MAR 31, 2026
Citizen’s Night Ski Race Series
Main MTU Trailhead, Michigan Tech Trails, Houghton, Michigan
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, MAR 18
Forbush Corner: It took a couple of days but we are dug out, and all trails are clear. 100%+ coverage. We plan to be open the next 5 days, Thursday through Monday, 9 to 5. Grooming plan for skate and classic (might change depending on weather): East side trails will be groomed tomorrow. West side Friday, and Pines Loop on Saturday.
Big M: Perfect, but warming tomorrow, thursday
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After a long day's work, the practice field, Blizzard Trail, and Trappers Cabin trail are all skiable. There are some really pleasant sections, as well as area with sawdust, branches embedded in ice, jack pine needle clumps, and some precarious looking trees!
After the chainsaws and tractors went through, we were able to snowcomb a path. Classic skiing on fishscale skis is recommended, as waxable classics and skins may attract unwanted pines needle and sawdust!
We have rentals available for anyone who doesn't want to use their "A" skis. Skating is not recommended, except on the practice field. We will get back out there tomorrow and see if there is anything else that we can open up. Thank you for your patience and you good cheer!
Stokely Creek: I was told there would be Spring Skiing. I'm running out of blue wax.
Unlisted trail: Crawford County
Crust skiing is at optimal levels. The recent ice and snow storm has produced a ski surface throughout the local region that only comes once in a great while.
TUE, MAR 17
Unlisted trail: Crawford County
Crust skiing is at optimal levels. The recent ice and snow storm has produced a ski surface throughout the local region that only comes once in a great while.
Stokely Creek: Wow, a bonus day of perfect cold snow skiing! Blue sky, blue wax and a pristine track to Norms Cabin.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Well, what an eventful couple of days. We had a major storm system move though Sunday night, and with it, lots of ice and winds. The shop has been without power or phone lines for 2 days, but our generators have kept the heat on and all is well inside. Outside is a different story...
The trails have been hit pretty hard, to the point where most are impassable without hurdling fallen trees. Not to mention the 1,000,000 sticks that have lodged themselves into the ice throughout the 19km network. It will be a big project to clean up. This afternoon, there was a gentle, picturesque snow fall, lightly dusting the devastation with a layer of fresh fallen snow. Though beautiful, slightly painful to watch because we knew we couldn't really ski on it due to the massive amount sticks and branches everywhere. The trails have about 1/2" of fresh snow on top of 1" of ice crust, with 3-4" of soft powder underneath, rendering the use of heavy equipment null.
We will do an extensive survey tomorrow to see if we can salvage one trail for the rest of this season, and will update from there. Rest assured we will keep our heads high and carry on! The shop will be open 10-5 if anyone wants to come warm up and say hi. Stay safe, and stay warm!
Forbush Corner: Well, the storm left us with a weird mess of frozen snow. We spent over an hour trying to break it up and access the doors of the shop, yurt, ski school and vault toilets. We were unsuccessful with the vault toilets, but will try again once it warms up. Wednesday's plan is to get the piles of built up cement snow out of the entrances and get the parking lot plowed. We will also check the trails for downfall.
We plan to open up this Thursday through Monday. Looks like another great week of skiing is on tap.
MON, MAR 16
Forbush Corner: Well it's a mess up north right now. We are busy digging out our own properties and waiting for the snowplows to clear the roads before venturing out to check the trails. We will assess the facilities and trails tomorrow and post plans for the week later on Tuesday.
Timber Ridge: In response to the Timber Ridge "charging" trail conditions post, this was an error our our staffs part and if you have purchased a season pass for the 2025/2026 season you may still use it and not pay the $10 day pass fee. While the season pass has expired, we will still honor it for skiing. Please note that while our grooming efforts will be considerably less, you are still welcome to ski with your pass. We set an expiration date to let you know the date that we will be cutting back on grooming efforts but it is still valid for skiing. If you have questions related to our management practices, please feel free to reach out to us. We would much rather correct that in person than have to find out about it on a trail conditions forum :)
Timbers Recreation Area: In response to the Timber Ridge "charging" trail conditions post, this was an error our our staffs part and if you have purchased a season pass for the 2025/2026 season you may still use it and not pay the $10 day pass fee. While the season pass has expired, we will still honor it for skiing. Please note that while our grooming efforts will be considerably less, you are still welcome to ski with your pass. We set an expiration date to let you know the date that we will be cutting back on grooming efforts but it is still valid for skiing. If you have questions related to our management practices, please feel free to reach out to us. We would much rather correct that in person than have to find out about it on a trail conditions forum :)
More trail reports...
