Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
Marshbank Groomer Down with Transmission Problems
12/15/2005 - By Mike Muha
Several few skiers have wondered why the Marshbank trails have not been groomed yet this winter given the early season blessing of snow. The reason: transmission problems. But you can help.,
Hotbox vs. Iron Shootout!
12/14/2005 - By Mike Muha
What the advantage of hotboxing your skis over ironing wax into the bases? What's the advantage of ironing over hotboxing? Find out!,
Champion Hill Opens for XC Skiing
12/13/2005 - By Amy Stone, Nordic Director
A new place to ski this season in the lower peninsula! Champion Hill opens with 22km of trails groomed for classic and skating 30 miles southwest of Traverse City.,
Build Your Own Hot Box
12/10/2005 - By Rob Blazoff
Here's the story of how I built a wall-mount wax box based on instructions provide by Nat Brown, former owner of Nordic Ultratune. I can probably put 6 pairs of skis in the box at one time.,
Endestad – Atomic Fairbanks November Ski Camp Trip Report
12/9/2005 - By Curt Peterson
The Endestad camp usually has around 20-25 people in attendance with all abilities represented from beginner to racer. The number of repeats is quite high and the furthest camper comes from Sweden most every year.,
Where are the Skating Trails?
12/8/2005 - By Mike Muha
By popular demand. you can now search for trails by type of grooming on NordicSkiRacer.com,
Jenex 100SR Issues & Recommendations
12/7/2005 - By Nathan Caproni
I have owned the 100SR (with both ATRA speed reducers and the brake system) this entire past dryland season and skied a few hundred Ks on them. I have a recommendation and a couple issues with the 100SR that need attention.,
Vasa Trail Early Season Grooming Woes
12/6/2005 - By Missy Luyk
A short note on our grooming last Friday/Saturday. A handful of unhappy skiers called and e-mailed the TART office to express their displeasure with recent grooming on the Vasa Pathway. Here's what happened.,
Vasa Gets New Race Director
12/5/2005 - By Jim Dombrowski & Pete LaPlaca
Pete Edwards has been named Race Director for the 2006 North American Vasa plus special savings: The 30 year, 30 dollar, until 30 Days special.,
New Swix Racing Service and US Web Site
12/4/2005 - By Mike Muha
Swix develops racing service team to support major Nordic events in the US and launches a Swix Racing USA web site that will post wax reports, recommendations, and racing service notes.,
CBC Pre-Olympic TV Broadcast Plans Include Canadian World Cups
12/4/2005 - By CBC Television
Cross Country Canada and CBC Television are pleased to announce that CBC will provide national coverage of the Nordic World Cups from Vernon and Canmore in December.,
Origins of the American Birkebeiner
12/3/2005 - By Ernie Burmbaugh
The American Birkebeiner will commemorate the 800th year of the legend of King Haakon IV of Norway and his daring rescue by the Birkebeiners.,
UPCOMING
THU, DEC 25, 2025
SUN, DEC 28, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski: JoeFrye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
THU, JAN 1, 2026
SAT, JAN 3, 2026
Winter Wolf Skiathlon
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, Michigan 49738 (989-348-9266)
Skate and Classic Ski Clinics with Jordyn Ross
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 4, 2026
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Skate and Classic Ski Clinics with Jordyn Ross
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
US Cross-Country National Championships - 10 km Interval Start Classic
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Eric McDonald Live (2:30-4:30)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
MON, JAN 5, 2026
Discover Michigan Cross Country Skiing Program
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
TUE, JAN 6, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
THU, JAN 8, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Mass Start Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, DEC 24
Hanson Hills: Though not perfect the trails were wonderful to skate on this morning. It was 30 degrees and they were fast even on my rock skis waxed with scraped storage wax. (Sad I Know ). Trails were freshly, lightly groomed so control was excellent. Skating was best at least on all trails as track icy though Wilderness looked better. Some dirt sticks and leaves but avoidable. I did yellow brown and blue both ways. So much fun. My early Christmas present. Saw skiers from Vasa and Forbush, smiles abounded to be on such lovely trails.
Stokely Creek: Perfect rocket fast skating with enough control for the eye watering downhills on Baas Bypass. Classic track firm and deep too. Not the whole system open yet, but enough to tire out my old legs.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Buck's Run still has complete coverage! But you'll have to walk a bit to get to it: the clubhouse is closed as is the clubhouse parking lot. Classic tracks are very hard pack or ice but still deep enough to stay on the track. The skating lane is hard pack but several people were skating without any trouble. Me? Klister. But my Rex "Oi" just wasn't working very well, probably because of the rushed job of waxing. Great day to doublepole!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After the warmup yesterday, things cooled back down overnight and the grooming team is out there this morning scraping up some of the glazed over sections. Some areas in the shade are still quite nice, but there are also some slick sections out there that would respond well to metal edge skis. Looks like snow Friday morning, so we should have nice skiing this weekend!
Hanson Hills: Warm temps yesterday, but everything firmed back up overnight and the trails are holding up well. Groomer Dan is out with the PB 100 this morning, scratching up the skate lanes on Yellow, Brown, and Blue to freshen things up.
Lodge and Trails open at 9am.
Get out and enjoy it!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Christmas Eve Morning Snow Lovers!!
The groomer was out this morning -- the Pinder system, Red Pine system and the 2 km Lighted have all been Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate.
Reminder: We are open today until 3 p.m. and closed tomorrow (Christmas Day), back open Boxing Day 10 a.m.
Come on up and take advantage of our beautiful trails -- no noise, no stress, it's just you, the snow, and the sound of your skis. Even a short loop can feel like a retreat from the busyness that this season can bring :)
The staff at Hiawatha Highlands wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas....have fun on the trails!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Question- If Bucks was not groomed this morning, will it be too icy to skate today seeing how cold it got last night?
TUE, DEC 23
Huron Meadows Metropark: Buck's Run is in great shape. "A" skis. Firm surface that staying firm from the cold seeping from the ground. A little softness on top. A couple places where it's a little hard. Tracks are in really good shape and deep. Get out and skiing!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received about a half inch of dense, fresh snow overnight. This has improved the trail surface significantly, as it has covered the pine needles and oak leaves with great success. The snow itself is pretty moist, but snow nonetheless! Enjoy the conditions early today as temps are on the rise. Classic tracks will be nice this morning. Day lodge and cafe are open.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Christmas Eve Eve :) It's a warm one out there today....and it's currently foggy up here -- adding to the beautiful magic of skiing through the woods!
The 2 km Lighted was groomed for both classic and skate. The groomer is currently on the Crystal system cleaning it up. It will be set for both classic and skate when they're done.
We hope everybody has a great day!!
Hanson Hills: Due to warmer snow conditions, we’ve decided to keep grooming equipment off the trails for now to protect the base. The good news—conditions are still skiing well, so get out and enjoy a great day on the snow.
Lodge and Trails open at 9am
MON, DEC 22
Forbush Corner: Super fast, glazed, crunchy goodness, flying down the tracks. 27° F at 11 AM, no new snow, no wind. Rex liquid red klister was perfect, fast climbs and descents on fresh groom on Home Run Hill. Freeway connector was especially nice- deep, molded tracks, clean snow. Other fast skiers were using zero skis or skating..Tiny bits of drizzle and bursts of fat snowflakes near 12 gave way to softer snow by 2pm. Could still do fast laps on Linda’s link, though my grip could not hold for tracks on the hills at end, 34°F.
Forbush Corner: Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Hey SK8TR BOIS: please try to keep your ski tips out of the classic tracks on Bucks Run. Instead, use that destructive energy to knock down the little berm the groomer leaves for you on the skate deck - thanks
Classic skiers: the man made snow is fast and there is good grip with fish scales going up the “hill” - enjoy!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Good morning! Groomer Mike snow combed all the trails this morning, leaving the trail surface very nice. The big debris has been cleared, but there are still little bits of debris down on the trails from the big winds of the last couple days. All trails are open. Classic tracks are in mixed condition, with some parts OK, and some parts washed out and/or glazed. The cafe and day lodge are open!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning, it's Monday!! We hope everybody had a great weekend :)
The groomer was out last night -- All systems were groomed for both classic and skate, minus the Hiawatha loop on the Crystal system.
Come on up and enjoy this beautiful day! Why, you ask? Cross-country skiing gives you peace and energy. Your lungs are full of cold, clean air, a warm flush to your face, and the quiet confidence that only comes from moving your own body through real winter.
If winter feels long, this is the sport that turns it into something to look forward to :)
Have a great Monday everybody!!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails are open at 9am.
All Trails, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, and Sue’s Return have a packed skate deck with set tracks from yesterday.
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing M-93 and Red.
Wilderness has tracks set on Saturday and is skiing well.
Enjoy the trails and have a great ski day!
Forbush Corner: Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
More trail reports...
