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.
RESULTS: Vasa Raptors trounce other teams at MI High School Championships
3/11/2023 - By Mike Muha
The Traverse City Vasa Raptors crushed everyone in the 2023 Michigan State Championships, held Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5. The Raptors won in every single team category, making it a full sweep of the event.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters leads the Michigan Cup...for now
3/10/2023 - By Mike Muha
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters leads the Michigan Cup heading into the Michigan Cup Relays, but Team NordicSkiRacer is tight on their tail.s..
RESULTS: Paull, Paull, Kerr, and Olson overall winners in 2023 Michigan Cup
3/9/2023 - By Mike Muha
Mandy Paull and dad Denny Paull have won the senior Michigan Cup; Josh Kerr and Arianne Olson take home the champion title for the juniors!
Wax recommendations for the Bear Chase and MI Cup Relays
3/9/2023 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the Bear Chase and MI Cup Relays.
Team NordicSkiRacer wins 2023 Brumbaugh Cup
3/6/2023 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
In one of the closest Brumbaugh Cup finishes ever, Team NordicSkiRacer beat the defending champion Hanson Hills/Cross Country Ski Shop by 59 points.
RESULTS: Ryan Harris and Mandy Paull tame The Beast
3/6/2023 - By John Gravlin
Mandy Paull took her second victory, winning both the Black Mountain Classic and the Black Mountain Freestyle. Ryan Harris won the overall Freesytyle.
RESULTS: Dad and daughter win Black Mountain Classic
3/6/2023 - By John Gravlin
Denny Paull and daughter Mandy Paull won the overall men's and women's title at the 2023 Black Mountain Classic
Weekend wax recommendations!
3/3/2023 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for Black Mountain and the Michigan High School Championships
RESULTS: Muffin Race - over 80 juniors from age 2 to 19, most in costume!
2/27/2023 - By Mariah Frye
Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for the 30th Annual Junior Muffin Race at Cross Country Ski Headquarters! Plenty of snow, corduroy skate lanes, fresh classic tracks, cool temps and sunny skies made for a perfect day of racing.
Weekend wax recommendations
2/23/2023 - By Mike Muha
BIrkie, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon, and Muffin Race wax recommendations
Team NordicSkiRacer maintains lead in Brumbaugh Cup
2/22/2023 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Team NordicSkiRacer has been fierce and continues to lead the Brumbaugh Cup. But Hanson Hills/Cross Country Ski Shop is trying their best to catch up!
Davis's lead MI Cup; XCHQ leads overall MI Cup as of Hanson Hills Classic
2/22/2023 - By Mike Muha
XCHQ leads the overall Michigan Cup. Liam Wiezba and Jorja Jenema have moved to the top of the Junior standings, and Rebecca and Michael Davis lead the Seniors.
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
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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 :)
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