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.
Brushes: what/when/why?
12/22/2020 - By Ian Harvey
Confused by what brushes to buy? Get an honest opinion by wax guru - what to get and what not to get - by Ian Harvey!
Registration is open for the 2021 Great Bear Chase!
12/17/2020 - By Angela Luskin
Things are going to look different, much like everything else this past year, but one thing that will not change is the top-quality grooming and friendly nature of the Great Bear Chase.
2021 White Pine Stampede goes virtual
12/16/2020 - By White Pine Stampede
Current executive orders prohibit an in-person race event, and we wanted to keep the spirit of the race alive (we all just want a race!), so the race committee to make the difficult decision to make this year’s race virtual.
The 2021 North American Vasa is Cancelled
12/16/2020 - By North American Vasa Festival of Races
The North American Vasa Festival of Races Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel this season's planned races due to the high number of COVID cases in the community and statewide.
CXC cancels Duluth and Mt. Itasca events
12/6/2020 - By Joe Haggenmiller
As many of you know, Governor Walz of Minnesota issued an Executive Order on COVID Mitigation, which has paused athletics in the State of Minnesota for 4 weeks. This impacts our first 2 CXC Cup events - Duluth and Mt. Itasca are not viable as scheduled.
Patience and flexibility required for racing this season
12/6/2020 - By Joe Haggenmiller
With the recent pause orders from the governors of Michigan and Minnesota and various local community health organizations also issuing recommendations and regulations, each of us needs to recognize the need to be both patient and flexible.
Forbush Time Trial cancelled due to COVID restrictions
12/2/2020 - By Ann Agar
The Forbush Corner Nordic time trials are cancelled due to the state health department’s restriction on organized sporting events that are scheduled through the 8th. It is likely that the state will extend that ban into January.
Nordic Glide Wax Box - A Recommendation of all that you need and nothing more
12/1/2020 - By Ian Harvy
Holiday shopping? Here is all that you need for glide waxes and tools and nothing more. This recommendation is for the passionate skier, fitness skier, or fluorine free racer.
Lakes of the North Freestyle cancelled
11/30/2020 - By Mike Muha
Unfortunately the Dec. 12th Lakes of the North Freestyle race has been cancelled. Not knowing if the health order would be extended after Dec 8th and the need to purchase materials prior to that date are the main decision drivers.
Headquarters goes eco with EV chargers, LED lights, carbon offsets
11/24/2020 - By XCHQ
Owners of EV's have the option to charge up while they go for a ski, eat lunch, or demo skis! We also installed solar-powered LED lights on the Trapper's Cabin trail.
Noquemanon Ski Marathon to spread over three days
11/23/2020 - By Mike Muha
Both the Full Noque and the Half Noque races will be run across three day, January 22-24, 2021.
FIS recommendations on cleaning out that fluoro!
11/23/2020 - By Ian Harvey
We realize that the FIS fluorine ban has been postponed for a year, but there are many who will be entering a fluorine free racing year that will want to consider taking these steps.
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.
More trail reports...
