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.
Great Bear Chase Countdown
2/29/2020 - By Angela Luskin
The 40th annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase is almost here! Conditions are looking great, with the Calumet area having over 250 inches of snow this season, awesome trails and great temperatures leading up to Saturday, March 7th.
UPDATED! Brumbaugh Cup standings remain the same
2/28/2020 - By Mike Muha
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters has a narrow lead over Team NordicSkiRacer, with Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop not far behind.
Michigan Cup Standings to date
2/28/2020 - By Mike Muha
New standings are available! Actually, Ken had the available immediately after the Boyne Vistas race but I've haven't had time to post until today (sorry Ken!).
Solda introduces non-fluoro ski waxes
2/28/2020 - By Bert Hinkley
Solda began to reformulate their waxes with fluorocarbon compounds of C6 or less. These new formulas conformed to the 2020 European Union regulations.
Wax recommendations for this weekend's races
2/27/2020 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan High School Championships and Black Mountain Fest.
Pure fluoro topcoats banned at MI High School Championships
2/27/2020 - By Ruth Oppliger
For all High School State Championship Races this coming weekend, including distance races and sprints, the use of pure fluoro powder, liquid or block is prohibited.
Results from 28th Annual Junior Muffin Team Sprint Relay
2/27/2020 - By Mike Muha
Racers in teams of two each did three 1.5km laps for a total of 6 laps per team. There were male, female and mixed teams.
Milan Baic and Elizabeth Osteen win Boyne Vistas
2/26/2020 - By Mike Muha
Always a good time, the Boyne Vistas Freestyle features a huge climb right from the start line. Blow up here and kill your chances for a good finish!
An Open Letter to Nordic Ski Racers
2/25/2020 - By John Gravlin
The Black Mountain Race weekend is OUR ONLY FUNDRAISER for the year and that our Black Mountain Nordic Ski Club does all of the care and grooming of the 40 Km of trails at the Mountain WITHOUT ONE PENNY OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE DNR.
Birkie and Michigan Cup wax recommendations!
2/20/2020 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's races! The Birkie recommendations may be updated daily...
Brumbaugh Cup: Headquarters, NordicSkiRacer, Hanson Hills/CCSS...
2/20/2020 - By Mike Muha
There's been no change to the order of teams in the Brumbaugh Cup after nine races: the Cross Country Ski Headquarters continues to leads with 819 points and Team NordicSkiRacer and Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop hold second and third.
Competition is hot in Michigan Cup individual standings
2/20/2020 - By Mike Muha
As of last weekend, 539 racers have gained Michigan Cup points. A small set of those skiers lead the overall Michigan Cup.
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...
