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.
Wakeley and Colie win Michael Seaman Memorial
2/4/2020 - By Mike Muha
Tracks were glazed where people were testing skis, making even skins and zeros a little slippery. Hard waxes did work, but tended to ice if one stepped onto the new snow outside the track.
2020 White Pine Stampede photos!
2/2/2020 - By Mike Muha
The White Pine Stampede's crack photographers took over a thousand pictures! Use the link below to see them. Right-click and pick
Weekend race waxing recommendations.
1/30/2020 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for this weekend's Michigan Cup races: White Pine Stampede and Mike Seaman Memorial Classic! I'll update when Rex provides recommendations.
Percha, Darnton, Bennet and Cuerda lead Michigan Cup
1/30/2020 - By Mike Muha
Tony Percha and Cheryl Darnton lead the senior standings in the Michigan Cup. Clara Bennet and Mikel Cuerda lead the juniors.
White Pine Stampede reroutes 50k trail
1/29/2020 - By Mike Muha
The warm weather has taken it's toll on the White Pine Stampede 50k trail, forcing race organizers to reroute the trail for better snow. The decision was made last night to use an alternate route for the 50k.
The REAL Noque story: What DID they wax with????
1/28/2020 - By Mike Muha
What did skiers in the Noquemanon Ski Marathon 50K classic do to get kick in temperatures right around freezing? I always think of this as the "what wax do I try next" conditions because of the difficulty of finding the right kick wax.
RESULTS: Hanson and Lipp take Krazy Klassic
1/27/2020 - By Mike Muha
The Krazy Klassic celebrated it's 10th year with wins by Team NordicSkiRacer's Erin Lipp and Kyle Hanson on a triple-tracked classic trail.
Waxing recommendations: Noque and Krazy Klassic
1/23/2020 - By Mike Muha
Toko, Rex, Fast Wax, Start, Holmenkol Ski*Go, Vauhti, oh my!
Headquarters continues lead in Brumbaugh Cup
1/22/2020 - By Mike Muha
After four races, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters still leads the Brumbaugh Cup competition. Team NordicSkiRacer is in second, and Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop pushes into third.
RESULTS: Vanias and Lipp win snowy Cote Dame Marie
1/19/2020 - By Mike Muha
Well, that was one epic race for the books. Hardest conditions I've had in years, soft snow, falling snow then ice pellets then fog so thick I could see nothing...
Headquarters leads Brumbaugh Cup
1/17/2020 - By Mike Muha
After three races, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters has a big lead in the competition, with 184 points. Last year's Brumbaugh Cup winner, Team NordicSkiRacer, is far behind in second place with 389 points.
Rossignol to reduce carbon footprint by 30%, waste by 40%
1/17/2020 - By Groupe Rossignol
The Rossignol Group officially launches its RESPECT program, aiming in particular to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 as well as to reduce its waste by 40% by 2025.
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...
