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.
Frye-Colie and Liebner win Forbush Corner Time Trial
12/19/2017 - By Mike Muha
Cross Country Ski Headquarters' Mariah Frye-Colie and Team NordicSkiRacer's Andy Liebner held off the competition to win at Frobush Corner.
Lakes of the North Ski Race Results
12/18/2017 - By Curt Peterson
Alex Vanais blew the senior men’s field away from the first turn, and Jordyn Ross similarly distanced the rest of the women’s senior field.
Ski Skin care and maintenance
12/18/2017 - By Swix
With skin skis and AT setups growing in popularity, Swix has created the Skin Care Pro series, dedicated to ensuring optimal performance of ski skins.
Leelanau State Park adds multi-use ski / fat-tire bike trail
12/16/2017 - By MDNR
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expanding winter recreation opportunities at Leelanau State Park with the addition of a new, marked winter sports trail open to hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and fat tire bikers.
A word from Race Central
12/15/2017 - By Curt Peterson
It is fun to help pull off a nordic ski race. We are so thankful for the total support of Lakes of the North crew. They have been grooming day over day to compact the abundant snowfall.
How to have fast skis this season: The Basics
12/15/2017 - By Ian Harvey
At this time though (preseason), it makes sense to look at ski selection. Here are some conditions and what I would recommend for skating and classic skis.
Fischer tunes Nordic line-up for 2018
12/14/2017 - By Fischer Sports
Fischer introduces 2018 – 2019 product introductions and improvements to both in-track and light touring models, including a new Speedmax Twinskin, a marriage of the dual mohair channel technology with their highest level racing skis.
Full Michigan Cup points for both races this weekend
12/13/2017 - By Mike Muha
Both the Lakes of the North Freestyle and the Forbush Time Trial will both award full Michigan Cup points this weekend.
2018 Michigan Backcountry Ski Series
12/10/2017 - By Mike Muha
Not all the racing in on groomed trails. For a decidedly different adventure, there's the 2018 Michigan Backcountry Ski Series.
Midwest Nordic Rendezvous, Jan 6-7
11/19/2017 - By Amy Powell
Join us for the second annual Midwest Nordic Rendezvous with our guest instructor Emily Lovett from Steamboat Springs, Colorado!
Why would you drag a tire during a rollerski race?
11/10/2017 - By Mike Muha
Race Director Andy Liebner told participants in the Grand Rapids 10k Rollerski Race on Sunday, November 5 that dragging a tire reduces speed and increases safety. I can think of some alternative reasons...
Hanson Hills adds 5km to Wilderness Trail
11/9/2017 - By Justin Andre
We've made a number of changes this season at Hanson Hills for cross country skiers, including adding 5km to our popular Wilderness Trail.
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
Sleeping Bear Dunes: ***Grooming Update!***
Our amazing Trail Groomer Milan, was out on the Norther Section of the trail this Tuesday, grooming the amazing 3 to 4 feet of powder we received with the recent blizzard. Today's warmer temps are going to make the snow a little slushier.
From Crystal River Trail head to Lawr Farm have been groomed.
Stokely Creek: Wow, one of the best tracks of the season! The last week has stacked a whole second base worth of snow on top of the already above average base.
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...
