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.
FIS bans fluorine waxes for the 2020/2021 season
11/24/2019 - By Mike Muha
The International Ski Federation's (FIS) Committee for Competition Equipment has banned the use of fluorinated ski waxes or all FIS disciplines starting with the 2020/2021 season.
Reserve Fischer demo skis in West Yellowstone
11/13/2019 - By Fischer Skis
Reserve Fischer Demo equipment for on-trail testing at the West Yellowstone Ski Festival!
NENSA bans pure fluoros
11/5/2019 - By Mike Muha
NENSA has banned the use of pure fluoro ski wax topcoats and is limiting use of paraffin-based fluoro glide waxes for the 2019-2020 season over concerns of health risks.
Kikkan Randal to speak in Traverse City on Nov 14
11/4/2019 - By Vasa Ski Club
Olympic champion Kikkan Randall will present a talk and sign autographs on the Hagerty Campus, 141 Rivers Edge Drive, Traverse City on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 from 5:30 to 6:30pm.
Toko introduces High Performance Liquid Paraffin
10/29/2019 - By Ian Harvey
Toko High Performance Liquid Paraffins yield faster skis in most conditions and are quick and easy to apply.
The 2019-20 Michigan Cup Calendar is out!
10/20/2019 - By Mike Muha
The Michigan Cup Committee made lots of interesting changes for the 2019-2020 season, including a new Championship and new or changed races.
Rollerski race: perfect practice for icy conditions!
10/13/2019 - By Mike Muha
It was tricky rollerski conditions for the latest Andy Liebner rollerski race. Held at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan, the course wound 8.5 miles around Kent Lake, with 500 feet of climbing.
Expect an exceptional fun season at XC Ski HQ!
10/7/2019 - By Mariah Frye Colie
Traverse the newly extended snowshoe trail, get festive at Bavarian Ski Fest and other events, and enjoy delicious new food and drink specials in the new outdoor heated igloo!
Forbush Corner Fall Work Weekend, Oct 5-6
9/20/2019 - By Forbush Corner
We are planning a Fall Work Weekend for October 5th and 6th. The main focus will be pruning and clearing debris from the trails.
CXC looking for staff for 5 spring junior racing trips
9/14/2019 - By Joe Haggenmiller
Selected applicants volunteer their time to coach the best junior racers in the Central Region during these national championship events.
SkiTrax Magazine forced out of business after 30 years
9/4/2019 - By SkiTrax
After 30 years of serving both the Nordic ski and cycling industries, we regret to announce that despite our best efforts, and due to circumstances beyond our control, we have been forced to close the business.
Swix recalls rollerski wheels after crashes
9/3/2019 - By Mike Muha
Swix has ordered a recall of the wheels on the Swix S5 Pro and Triac Carbon Skate rollerskis after at least 10 elite rollerskiers had problems at the Toppidrettsveka 25km roller ski race in Norway.
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
THU, MAR 19
Hickory Hills: This might be my last ski of the season so I wanted to thank the people at Hickory Hills for the fantastic grooming they have been doing all winter. For a family downhill ski venue, Hickory Hills has done so much for the Nordic skiers that it seems it is more of a Nordic center now than a downhill ski area. The downhill looks like they are closed for the season yet they are grooming with the piston bully on the Nordic trails. Special thanks to coach K who works numerous hours using the sleds to groom the trails. The last couple of days when no one was grooming, John had to spend 6 hrs a day laying a skating lane and setting a track. Saw lots of skiers still taking advantage of the great snow. Gave some instructions to a lovely lady named Margaret who I found out was a professional marathon runner in her youth and competed in the 1988 summer Olympics in South Korea. Amazing the people you meet on the trail.
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...
