Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
The red trail base is improving, but as much as I want to include this section, it currently has a marginal and bumpy base that I fear would not positively showcase our trail system or our grooming efforts. We may shorten the race.
When the smoke cleared. Team NSR had won the day with 36 points, ending in third place with 308 points in overall Brumbaugh Cup. HHCCSS and GRNST weathered the storm, remaining in first and second place.
The Michigan Cup moved South for a weekend of races at Huron Meadows Metropark near Brighton. This is Team NordicSkiRacer’s home course and the defending Brumbaugh Cup champions began their defense. It was a defense of no small proportions.
The 10k race will be slightly longer at just over 11k, the 20k course should be just over 21k, and our long course will be around 42 km.
We’re kicking off our Tuesday Night Race Series again at Hickory Hills this week! It’s a 5-race series featuring various race formats and styles. These are free, community-based events open to everyone and are a lot of fun.
The Vasa Raptor Rush Nordic Ski Race Fundraiser ran on the a world-class FIS-homologated cross country ski course at Hickory Hills in Traverse City, MI. Races were held for middle school skiers, juniors, and adults and ranged from 2.5km to 10km.
Chris Lamer and Rachel Rosenbaum took great photos of the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic races (respectively) - hundreds of photos! These are all available for download for free.
It was a paddler's fest as both Yvon Dufour and Rebecca Davis completely doublepoled the course.
Goodman and Rand skied away from the pack on a beautifully groomed trail and in great weather.
Hanson Hills/Cross Country Ski Shop held off a charge by the Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team to maintain their lead in the Brumbaugh Cup.
A new highlight to this year’s event is honoring skiers who have completed thirty or more Vasa races. These skiers will be recognized with a commemorative bib featuring the Royal Coat of Arms of Swedish King Gustav I Vasa.
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup races, the Frosty Freestyle and the Krazy Klassic, put on by Team NordicSkiRacer!
XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
NEW! Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Forbush Opener (Freestyle)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
XC Ski HQ Ski: George Frye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: Trails were freshly groomed today by Brian! Randy Gary and I tested them out and conditions are great!
Vasa Trail: Today's previous reports filled you in on how good the Classic Skiing was on the Vasa today, so I'll just comment on the skating. "Best conditions of the season so far!" It's not just me saying that, but also the half dozen skiers I chatted with around the 10K loop said the exact same thing. The entire trail system was groomed this morning with maybe an inch of fresh snow on top of the skate deck after it was groomed. That extra ungroomed snow imparted a buttery smooth under-ski feel like it was some sort of speed-butter as skating was easier and faster than average using vintage SkiGo Blue. Nice thick deck in most areas with well over a foot of snow in the woods.
Nubs Nob: Lots of snow ! Yesterday’s big groomer provided a firm flat skate deck . Today nature provided about 2 inches of fluff . Has to push a little bit , but it was very nice - and the sun came out . LF 7
Vasa Trail: Wow, the TART groomers did a great job making fresh classic tracks with the snowmobiles this morning. The fresh powder wasn’t fast but only a few leaves & complete coverage, except at the bridge. I rarely start at the Bartlett trailhead, except when skiing Headwaters, then skied the 10k backwards. I was in skier heaven on my skins & mild 20 temps!
Laurel Ridge State Park: 5" of pretty dense snow in the southern laurel highlands. Skiable today at dedicated XC facilities, which are located at the highest elevations. Not yet "ski anywhere" conditions. But, forecast is looking very wintery, and we will soon have access to your favorite forest road, the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, those high mountain meadows, etc. If your travels take you on the PA Turnpike (Interstate 76) bring your skis! Note: Like the Carnegie library system, Pennsylvania state parks are Free to the People (as are state forests).
Stokely Creek: First pass with the newer Bombardier groomer today left a very nice track. Not a rock in sight, which is rare for this early given the terrain. Eye watering speed was achieved several times using Madshus Endurace skins.
Kensington Metropark: It appears all trails were groomed today golf course skate and classic and the wood only one set of classic
Vasa Trail: The trail had a fresh groom and was done in the section I skied at 9:45. Left from the Supply Road parking lot and skied out/back to the 2nd Jack Pine entrance. trail is in great shape. I peeked at Timber Ridge. They are only groomed on the "straight out from the lodge to VASA" section. No other grooming in the park.
Vasa Trail:
Huron Meadows Metropark: Good skating on Hawks, Coyote and Cedar Trace. Hawks has a little scrub sticking up. But the best it has been so far. All freshly groomed. No tracks.
Thank guys.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Beautiful, freshly rolled skate track. No classic track to speak of. Did multiple laps of the Contractors Loop and had a blast!
Michaywe: Refreshed skate lanes and reset track on the lake loop and both golf course loops. Conditions are good.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Tracks were set yesterday, and after 2-3 more inches last night, we'll set tracks again this morning. It is absolutely gorgeous out there! We'll be snowcombing the fresh powder this morning and it should be heavenly today and through the weekend. We have about 5-8" of packed snow on the trails, and 12-15" in the woods.
Hiawatha Highlands: Hiawatha Highlands/Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club
Good Morning! It's a beautiful Thursday morning, all was calm overnight and the sun is shining :)
The groomer was out last night -- The Pinder system was rolled and tracked. The 5k loop on the Red Pine system was tracked as well....whoo hoo, we're getting there!
For your information -- the SFN Jackrabbit program starts this Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, so please keep an eye out.
Grab your gear, find your flow, and let the snow be what it is. There's always joy to be found on these trails - no matter the forecast. Happy skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Another 1+ inches of snow. Groomer Dan is out Combing skate lanes and setting fresh tracks on the Inner Trails (Green, Blue, Brown,Yellow, Easy Return)
: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Another 1+ inches of snow. Groomer Dan is out Combing skate lanes and setting fresh tracks on the Inner Trails (Green, Blue, Brown,Yellow, Easy Return)
Forbush Corner: No lack of snow over the last few days and more to come. Most of the East side trails will be groomed today. Open 9 to 5.
If you need to wax your skis we added a wax room over the summer!
Nubs Nob: Perfect grooming with the big groomer, trail was excellent on upper red loop. Perfect temperature, fast snow.Have to enter the trail from Valley road.
Big M: About 6? of fresh snow fell last night. The following trails were groomed this evening: Corkpine, most of Lumberjack, most of Camp 24, Big Wheel, Double Bit, Ryberg Rd and Catamount.
The plan is to groom all of the trails again on Friday or Saturday, so conditions should be excellent for when most people can get to Big M!
Nubs Nob: Nubs Nob has nailed it today ! A flat firm skate deck and classic track have fresh snow groomed thru the upper trails . LF 7 was the skate perfect wax. . Great depth and coverage . The ice storm clearance is impressive .
Huron Meadows Metropark: If you didn't know, you can't groom when it's a above freezing, so if you expected good skating conditions or amazing tracks at Huron Meadows today , you were sorely disappointed ??. But it was awesome to break trail on my waxless classic touring skis with Sarah and Tony around the lake and the contractor's loop! Big smiles just getting out in the woods!
Michaywe: Received 2-3 inches of snow last couple days. All trails were groomed and track set today. Conditions are good with just a little drifting in the open areas, mainly on the golf courses.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received about 3' more inches last night and it's still snowing as we speak. Groomer Mike rolled everything this morning and is now out snowcombing and setting classic tracks. Hallelujah!! The trails are looking picturesque, we have about 4-7" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-14" in the woods.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning our lovers of everything snow!!
The groomers were out last night -- The entire Pinder system and the 2k Lighted were rolled, packed and tracked. The Red Pine system was rolled and packed.
Have a great day everybody :)
Hanson Hills: Lodge Closure Notice
Consumers Power and our local electricians will be updating the electrical service to our Main Lodge today. This upgrade requires a full power shut-off for most of the day, which means no lights, no heat, and no water in the building.
Because of this, the Lodge and Offices will be closed today.
The good news: Our Trails remain open for use, and the DHHS Family Christmas Giving Donation Drop-Off will still be available as planned.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete these important improvements. Stay warm and enjoy the trails!
Trail Report: 1/2inch of new snow overnight. Groomer Dan will be combing and resetting tracks on Green, Blue, Brown, M-93.