Rebecca Davis and Aaron Ditty crowned the Queen and King of the 2026 North American Vasa as the top skiers over the weekend. Davis took 3rd in Saturday's 27k and won the 15K classic on Sunday. Ditty won on Saturday and took 4th on Sunday.
UPDATED! Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup Championship races! Should be great snow conditions but a bit on the cold side...especially on Saturday.
Points Keeper Ken Dawson has updated the current individual JUNIOR standings: "I included the latest Michigan Cup results for juniors that include Flying Squirrel and Beech Nuts races."
Thirty-two juniors raced in the 2026 Beech Nuts Junior Nordic Race at Nubs Nob. The race is part of the Baic Cup for the best Junior Team on the Michigan Cup Race Series.
The race dawned with a foot of heavy new snow on both the JACK RABBIT 3.5k and FLYING SQUIRREL 5k racecourses. Middle and High School skiers from Nubs Nob, Vasa Raptor and Crystal Nordic teams showed their grit and strength in these tough conditions. (Video and results)
Wax recommendations for this weekend's COLD races! Toko and Rex recommendations.
ATTENTION – Cold Weather Protocols in place. Please review below! Junior Noque may cancel. 50k may postpone.
The leaders of the Michigan Cup have largely remained the same, but there are several strong racers who have not yet completed five races. Who are we watching?
The snow and racing were excellent at the 2026 Nub's Nob Classic on the three-lap course on the upper cross country ski trails at Nub's Nob.
Jorden Wakeley (Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop) and Erica O'Hearn (Vasa Ski Club) showed who's boss - both skied away from the competition.
Northbound Outfitters / Cross Country Ski Shop will be having party immediately after the Cote Dame Marie Loppet, with special star, Dick Fultz! The shop turns 50 and Dick will be receiving a special plaque on behalf of the shop in celebration of the wonderful shop.
Toko and Rex wax recommendations for Saturday's Cote Dame Marie, and Sunday's Nub's Nob Classic 5k & 12k and CCSC Flying Squirrel Nordic races.
We are five races into the 2025-2026 Michigan Cup season - one junior race and four senior races - and Ken Dawson has released the individual standings to date.
American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Open Track
Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - Team Sprint Women's/Men's Qual.+ Final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Kortelopet 29K Race
Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center, 12205 County Hwy-B W, Hayward, WI 54843 (OO Trailhead)
Prince Haakon 15K
Phipps Road, north of Hayward, WI
American Birkebeiner 53k Classic Race / 50k Skate Race
Cable to Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Ribs and Blues Celebration!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
33rd Annual Junior Muffin Race
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Freestyle and Classic Pursuit
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 31K Classic
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Mixed Relay
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 12km Freestyle
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Black Mountain: Black Mountain Ski Race Weekend is almost here!!!! Plenty of snow at Black Mountain and a new 25km distance for the Classic race on 2/28. There will also be a 10km option. The Sunday Freestyle Race will be held on a new course utilizing the Presque Isle side of the system with no road crossings. Registration is on Runsignup.com and closes at 10 pm on 2/27. See you there.
Nubs Nob: Outstanding today - perfect groom over 28” hardpack , blue sky , sweet spot timing between 10:30 and 12:30 - simply wonderful!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We groomed the practice field today, but left the main network alone so as not to do any damage with the warmer temps. Skate deck is still firm and very skiable, classic tracks are a bit glazed over in many spots, with a few good sections still out there. There is some mixed precipitation forecast for tonight and depending on which way the temperatures swing, we will certainly have some kind of news tomorrow! If we get snow, and the trails firm up, we will groom, if we get rain and the trails get mushy, we will not groom. Only time will tell.
Hanson Hills: Update:
Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93 and Easy Return received fresh grooming. New tracks on Yellow, Brown, M-93 and Easy Return.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning Everyone!! It's going to be another warm day.....temperature already sitting at -2 C.
The groomer was out this morning -- The complete Pinder system and the 2k Lighted were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate. The skate lanes were freshened up on the Crystal system with the Ginzu.
We hope everyone has a fantastic day!!
Hanson Hills: TUESDAY UPDATE — FEBRUARY 17, 2026
?? Nordic Trail Update:
?? Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Trails are firm and fast this morning. Blue and M-93 received a fresh groom first thing and are skiing great to start the day.
Groomer Justin had to step away for a 9:00 AM meeting but will be back out shortly to continue grooming operations.
A beautiful day to get out and glide—see you on the trails! ??
Dunes Golf Club: Holy wah!
Crust alert! Now till daily warm up, short lived due to a wet forcast.
Not to worry the slab is here till final spring showers rains it out.
Of course sun up is the time to be on it, mornings are always best of course.
What a way to celebrate the winter.
No need for e-skimo skis here minimal friction and hyper glides.
Plowed parking as always.
No fees as always
4 mi east of empire on m-72
2nd highest elevation in leelanau county
Huron Meadows Metropark: Classic skied from 12 to 2. Decent donditions with good tracks. Areas in shade were really good and sunny spots were slower. Still nice to get out and do somethng. Connector still there for now.
Hopefully traiil in the woods makes it through the next few warm days. Maybe we get another week or so iin woods with no connector if all goes well.
Thanks for doing what you guys do to keep us going in trying weather conditios.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: What a fantastic weekend, with the excellent skiing and sunny skies! While the base is still very strong, the warmth and sun have created slickness in the classic tracks. The skating lanes have been snowcombed this morning, and the hard pack is softening up as the sun climbs higher. Peak conditions will be when the snow has softened but not started to melt, probably between 11-2 today.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM.
Groomer Dan is out this morning laying fresh corduroy on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93.
Forbush Corner: Trails are holding up very well in spite of the recent warmup. Grooming will be limited today to preserve the base. Open 9 to 5.