UPCOMING

FRI, DEC 12, 2025

XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)

SAT, DEC 13, 2025

Forbush Opener (Freestyle)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)

Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)

SUN, DEC 14, 2025

CHANUKAH/HANUKKAH, Dec 14-22

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

FIRST DAY OF WINTER

XC Ski HQ Ski: George Frye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)

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LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

SUN, DEC 7

Vasa Trail: Thanks TART groomers for the perfect classic tracks this afternoon for my ski from Timber Ridge to The Rock & back on the 25k Vasa trail. It was well worth the wait for mid-season conditions, though I realize there is not much base. I could have used my skin skis the tracks were that good! It was fun seeing so many friends out skiiing, too! LET IT SNOW! ?????? Don’t forget to get your TART grooming badge & Timber Ridge Season Pass, to show your support!

Kensington Metropark: The Kensington Metropark website says "The golf course trails last groomed on 12/6/25, but no tracks have been set at this time. All other trails remain ungroomed."

I have not skied on it yet, but I thought everyone would want to know that Kensington is grooming!

Forbush Corner: Very fine 15km classic ski, 1 thin layer Swix purple grip wax added late yesterday was smoothed out today. Skis not as fast as yesterday, a combination of colder temp, 19° F with brisk wind and 1” fresh snow. Slower speed was less noticeable where skiers had been through, a slight glaze in the track. With snow making in progress, I skied a bypass to Pancake, and the flatter West side trails, as my legs were quite weary. Particularly nice was the Pines trail- both free of debris and out of the wind. The straight trail leading to ‘D’ had shallower track after 1st groom yesterday and fresh snow, but no dirt showing through. Less than a handful of short areas grass showing, on the windy areas of the freeway trail.

Vasa Trail: Best conditions of the early season so far. An extra inch of snow over the past day freshened up the trail system, with another 1/2 inch on top of this mornings groom of the skate lane and reset of the classic tracks. Up to 10" in the woods with compacted 2" base. Only a few thin spots on the 10K with the worst being the usual spot just past the bridge, where a couple spotted some Salmon in the stream today, and where I heard a loud splash from one a few days ago.

Milham Park Golf Course: Milham was groomed this early afternoon. The perimeter and warm up loop were both rolled and then a skate lane was let with the snowmaster. it still seems thin and to warm to set a machine groomed classic track at this time. None the less classic skiers should find good conditions over all. What a great and early start to the winter.

Michaywe: Full groom with new tracks set on both Golf course loops, the Lake Loop, Herringbone and River trails. We have good coverage overall with a few thin spots that are easy to avoid.

Hanson Hills: Grooming Update: Due to a mechanical with our snowmobile, RED will not receive fresh corduroy this morning. Still very skiable as we received just a dusting of snow overnight.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After a light dusting of snow throughout the night, the trails continue to get better! The skating lanes are excellent. Conditions for classic skiing are very good, too, though we still need a couple more inches of snow to set classic tracks. There is more snow forecasted early in the coming week, and we hope to get enough to have classic tracks in a few days! We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods.

Forbush Corner: We received a dusting of snow overnight. Trails remain in excellent condition. The entire trail system was groomed yesterday.

We commenced snow making operations on the loop and valley yesterday evening and will continue on the Ridge trail today.

We have groomed an access trail from the shop to the Pancake trail to access all the non-snowmaking trails.

Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open at 9am!
A friendly reminder that trail passes are required and can be purchased at the ticket window in the Lodge.

Cross Country Trail Update:
Groomer Dan is out again this morning combing skate lanes on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and the M-93 hills.
Classic tracks are set across the entire system, and Wilderness is absolutely beautiful right now.

Come enjoy some perfect Nordic conditions.

SAT, DEC 6

Huron Meadows Metropark: Not bad considering how early in the season it is. some grassy spots that you can get around easily. the loop behind Bucks is real nice for skating. not enough snow for tracks though. some areas do have leaves but not terrible. worth going, enjoy!

Big M: Grooming update 12/6/25: all the trails were groomed today except Catamount and Ryberg Rd, plus from markers 11-12 on Camp 24 (but that should have a hint of tracks from the previous groom). Catamount and Ryberg Rd may have downed trees you will need to go around, if you ski those trails, as those have not been cleared yet this season. The snow conditions are great - get out there! The parking lot is partially plowed and very passable.

Forbush Corner: Excellent classic trail conditions. 33 km over 2 days Swix pink glide/Rode Super-blue grip, 27°, with light snow and moderate wind, temp falling to 23° late today. Packed powder was fast; particularly nice long stretches on pine connector pristine track. Pineneedles and leaves in some areas stuck to the kick wax. Snowmaking commenced this afternoon on the loop, the wet snow much stickier than natural (wiped out on home run hill ??)

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The grooming team snow combed the entire trail network last night, and conditions are very good. The skating lanes are excellent. Conditions for classic skiing are very good, too, though we still need a couple more inches of snow to set classic tracks. We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods. The Stone Turtle Cafe is open!

Valley Spur: Decent. This is the first grooming of the season. Few thin spots. All trails skate and classic groomed except H.

Forbush Corner: Full system groom this morning - East Side, West Side, Pines Loop, everything - amazing for early December. Skate deck everywhere and classic tracks most everywhere !!!

Hanson Hills: Who’s Ready to Glide, Ride, and Explore?

Lodge and trails open at 9am, and we’ve got another beautiful winter day lined up for you!

Cross Country Update:
Just a light dusting of snow overnight, but Groomer Dan is already out there working his magic—combing skate lanes on ALL trails including Blue, Brown, Yellow, Red, M-93, and Easy Return.
Tracks may be a few days old… but trust us, they’re still glorious. Wilderness is holding tracks too, so plenty of smooth, scenic miles await.
Don’t forget to stop into the Lodge for your daily or season trail pass before heading out!

Fat Bike Trail:
The Fat Bike loop is open and ready for adventure!
If you roll today, please remember to feed the Blue Donation Tube at the MTB trailhead — it keeps the good times spinning.

?? Trail Etiquette Reminder:
We love hikers, but please remember:

Regular boot traffic should remain off the Mountain Bike Trail and Overlook Trail to protect groomed surfaces.

Snowshoers are welcome, just please give bikers the right of way.

Little Smokey, Pines, Guyton, and Oak Ridge Trails are open for hiking!

Bundle up, breathe in that fresh northern Michigan air, and let the trails show you a great time today!

FRI, DEC 5

Big M: I skied today starting around 1:30 conditíon were excellent. just missed the groomer. most trails have been groomed. apparently 10-14 inch powdery base. beautiful

Big M: I skied today starting around 1:30 conditíon were excellent. just missed the groomer. most trails have been groomed. apparently 10-14 inch powdery base. beautiful

Big M: I skied today starting around 1:30 conditíon were excellent. just missed the groomer. most trails have been groomed. apparently 10-14 inch powdery base. beautiful

Big M: Corkpine, Lumberjack, Big Wheel and Camp 24 are all packed and tracked (except for the small portion between 3 and 14, see map). Groomers will also be out Saturday morning, after some more snow falls tonight (hopefully), to get the rest of the trail system. Plenty of snow! Enjoy.

Hartwick Pines: Whole trail system groomed for classic skiing. Excellent coverage. Grooming good but some foot traffic. Fun ski.

Elk Rapids Golf Course: Windswept conditions so you're only skiing through an inch of snow with grass poking through in most areas until you come to one of the few drifted areas of a foot or more depth. But the classic skis were gliding well, and started literally from my front door, so it's all good. Highlight was skiing along the scenic shore of Elk Lake as close as you dared to the water.

Forbush Corner: I don't know that I have ever seen early season conditions this good in the lower peninsula. Larry and the Forbush crew did an incredible job of packing, rolling, and grooming a colossal amount of snow (probably had to manage lots of downed branches and detritus as well). 

I skied Thursday night at dusk—the moon so bright I didn't even need a headlamp—and Friday around lunchtime. The whole system is in mid-winter shape, but mamma mia Rollercoaster and Crybaby are hard packed and fast!! I skate skied both days but the classic tracks looked sublime. 

Well worth the drive, especially now that there are more tables in the yurt. So fun to see all the updates the Forbush crew did over the summer: new carpet, they took out the s-curve on Crybaby, I'm even more out of shape, etc. Pack a lunch (and a flask of something to keep you warm).

Nordic Pulse seems to be working out some early-season kinks so this is probably the only weekend you can ask Mike what was groomed without getting in trouble. 

Michaywe: Groomed out and set track on the lake loop, maple ridge, herringbone, the river trail, and the back 9 loop. Snow conditions are mostly good with a few thin areas. Trails going through the wooded areas have some leaves or pine needles due to the recent high winds.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Still great as of this (Friday) morning. Hawk hills a little rough some dirt and vegetation showing through in parts- but skiable. Coyote run and contractors in great shape!

Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Groomer Dan is out combing skate lanes again this morning, and reports that classic tracks are still looking great!

Remember Trail Passes are required, stop in to purchase your daily or season pass.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Butch snowcombed all the trails yesterday, and the skate deck is hard and fast! We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods. We'll finish snowmaking on the field today to be ready for lessons and demos tomorrow.

Forbush Corner: West side, Pines connector (easy and hard) and some of the Pines loop were packed with the PB. All east side trails are groomed with tracks. The pines have been shedding their pine needles here and there due to the gusty winds over the last few days. Good thing we don’t need klister!

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