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.
Waxing recommendations: Noquemanon Ski Marathon!
1/27/2017 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED: Toko, Fast Wax, Swix...and now Solda! Get waxing...
White Pine Stampede countdown begins
1/26/2017 - By Stacey Titus Hicks
Snow is falling here in Northern Michigan, and we expect to receive between 6-10 inches more before race day! As the final countdown for the event begins, we just wanted to pass on some reminders.
Noque shortens race; Mandatory bussing; Start time changes
1/26/2017 - By UPHS Noquemanon Ski Marathon Race Committee
Due to forces outside of our control (weather, snow conditions, etc.) there have been decisions made regarding course start and finish locations as well as timing.
Noquemanon forced to move race start and finish
1/25/2017 - By Jon Mommaerts
Open water, dirty snow, low snow: The start and finish have been moved, and additional trails in the Forestville system will be leveraged for the race.
Vasa Ski Club narrowly leads Michigan Cup
1/25/2017 - By Mike Muha
It's another close year in the Michigan Cup Team Standings! The Vasa Ski Club maintains a narrow lead over the Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 10,651 points to 10,119.
MI Cup Standings as of the Cote Dame Marie
1/24/2017 - By Mike Muha
Epic battles are underway. It looks to be a North vs. South battle for the junior championships, and the leaders in the Senior division are at risk!
RESULTS: Vanias and Darnton win Cote Dame Marie
1/22/2017 - By Mike Muha
Vanias skied away from the pack to finish in 1:13:26, well ahead of second place. This was Vanias's third victory this season in the Michigan Cup - he's won every event he's entered.
As it rains, let us reflect on the snow...
1/20/2017 - By Mike Muha
If you look at the cumulative snowfall, it really hasn't been too bad a year. Alpena and Traverse City are a little ahead of schedule, while other locations have a little less snow than normal...but not radically so.
Cote Dame Marie and JNQ wax recommendations
1/20/2017 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED: Add Solda recommendation. Gets those skis waxed and get racing! Recommendations from Toko, FastWax, and Swix.
Conditions looking good for Cote Dame Marie
1/19/2017 - By Justin Andre
The Trails at Hanson Hills are holding up well for this weekend’s Cote Dame Marie Ski Loppet. Temperatures are predicted to drop tonight and we will be back grooming the Red Trail for the Michigan Cup Race Course early Friday morning.
Treatment options for Cross Country Skin-Skis
1/17/2017 - By Ian Harvey
There are four recommended methods for treating the "skins" for glide on "Skin Skis"...
USSA names teams to Under 23 Cross Country World Championships
1/16/2017 - By USSA
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association has named a team of 10 athletes to represent the USA in the upcoming Under 23 Cross Country World Championships in Soldier Hollow.
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...
