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.
Wax recommendations: Cote Dame Marie
1/17/2020 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED: Toko and now Rex wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup race!
Former MI Cup skier Sarah Goble qualifies for U23 Worlds
1/16/2020 - By Mike Muha
Former Michigan Cup racer Sarah Goble has made the U23 (under 23) World Championship Team and will represent the United States at the U23 Cross-Country World Ski Championships on February 28 - March 8 in Oberwiesenthal, Germany.
RESULTS: Hanson and Ross win wet Frosty Freestyle!
1/12/2020 - By Mike Muha
It was wet, it was wild, and it was just an event. It was epic. It was a little slow out there. There was three inches of standing water in a lot of places. It kind of slowed down the race but we finished. It was good. It was amazing we held it.
Wax recommendations for an EPIC race weekend!
1/9/2020 - By Mike Muha
This weekend's races are competing for the most challenging weather award! Huron Meadows expects to have a skiable trail regardless of the weather.
Team NordicSkiRacer Junior Ski Club starts its third season
1/9/2020 - By Doug Heady
Our goal is to give young skiers an opportunity to cross country ski with their peers, advance their skiing skills and have FUN. Skiers of all abilities are welcome to join and learn a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
Conversation with Valley Spur trail designer David Worel
1/4/2020 - By Larry Treul
This is from an ancient Friends of Valley Spur News (we're talking about 2001!) that I ran across, but I found Larry Treul's interview with David Worel interesting and thought I'd share
Testing Toko Base Performance Liquid Paraffin in cold conditions
1/3/2020 - By Ian Harvey
It has been cold lately where I have been, so I have been testing cold waxes. The performance of Base Performance Liquid Paraffin has totally surprised me to the point where it is now my new favorite glide wax.
Michigan Tech Hosts U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships
1/2/2020 - By Michigan Tech
The competition begins today, Thursday (Jan. 2) with the Freestyle Sprint. This marks the fifth time Michigan Tech has hosted a U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships event.
VIDEO: Improve your Alternate V2 (aka Two Skate)!
12/27/2019 - By Andy Liebner
UPDATED! NEW VIDEO! Andy Liebner gives tips to improve your V2 (or two skates for every pole plant).
VIDEO: Improve your V2 (aka One Skate)!
12/27/2019 - By Andy Liebner
UPDATED! NEW VIDEO! Andy Liebner gives tips to improve your V2 (or one skate for every pole plant)
Learn to XC Ski in January
12/22/2019 - By Michigan Snowsports Industries Association
During January, ski areas across the state teamed up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants to offer an affordable introduction to the sport of cross country skiing.
After two races, we have leaders in the Michigan Cup!
12/20/2019 - By Mike Muha
Mariah Frye Colie and Alex Vanias lead the senior standings with two wins each. Branden Morley and Clara Bennet lead the junior standings.
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...
