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.
RESULTS: 6-Hour Michigan Cup Team Relay
1/8/2019 - By Mike Muha
Finally, it snowed! After a very un-snowy holiday season, Hanson Hills go dumped on in time for the 6-Hour Michigan Cup Team Relay.
Wax recommendations: Team Relay
1/4/2019 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the 6-Hour Michigan Cup Team Relay at Hanson Hills in Grayling, MI.
Five (!?!?) lead Michigan Cup Standings
12/26/2018 - By Mike Muha
Jordyn Ross, Kyle Hanson, Sam Holmes, Andrew Amato, and Annie Paulson lead the pack after two races.
Team NordicSkiRacer Junior Ski Club is starting its second season
12/18/2018 - By Ricardo Lung and 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.
RESULTS: Jordyn Ross and Kyle Hanson take Forbush Time Trial
12/17/2018 - By Mike Muha and Michael Bourassa
It was Jordyn Ross (GRNST), Rebecca Davis, and Mariah Frye-Colie for the second time this weekend. Kyle Hanson (Team NordicSkiRacer) beat Vasa's Sam Holmes, with Kevin Tarras third in the men's race.
RESULTS: Records set at Lakes of the North Winterstart
12/17/2018 - By Curt Peterson
Sam Holmes (Vasa) and Jordyn Ross (Grand Rapids Nordic) set course records on a fast race course at this year's Michigan Cup season-opening Lakes of the North Winterstart
Former Michigan Cup racer Sarah Goble takes two 1st place finishes
12/14/2018 - By NMU
The Huskies performed well across the two-day NMU Open in Marquette, with the highlight of the weekend being the two first-place finishes by junior Sarah Goble.
Legendary Vojin Baic passes away at 89
12/14/2018 - By Reynolds-Jonkhoff
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Sunday, December 16, 2018. Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 11am.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters One of 10 Best Cross Country Ski Destinations
12/14/2018 - By Mariah Frye Colie
The voting ended with Cross Country Ski Headquarters taking a solid 2nd place finish behind the famous Devil’s Thumb Ranch of Colorado.
Michigan Cup Teams explore unorthodox training methods in off-season
12/10/2018 - By Jay Woodbeck
NordicSkiRacer is always looking to be up to date with the latest training techniques. Our investigative journalist has uncovered several new training methods used across Lower Michigan this summer and fall.
Preparing new or freshly stoneground skis
12/6/2018 - By Ian Harvey
New skis or freshly stoneground skis have the potential to be your fastest skis ever. Following this advice will give new skis the best chance possible to reach their potential.
Kirt and Brumbaugh win age groups at Yellowstone 5k
11/25/2018 - By Mike Muha
Two Michigan Cup skiers won their age groups at the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation (WYSEF) / National Nordic Foundation 5km Master Ski Race at the Yellowstone Ski Festival on Saturday, November 14, 2018.
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
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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...
