Tue, Jan 13: Reindeer Run Nordic Center (Empire)
Empire snowmobile traihead corner of benzonia trail and Osborn rd. Snowbirds club groomed the trail that was closed due to logging that had been plowed this winter. By doing this out left a wide, flat, corrected deck full of snirt.
Any forecasted accumulatetion will make this a fun again place to ski.
stay tuned
Plowed parking at trailhead
- Kevinski slowski
Tue, Jan 13: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
The temps are now above freezing, and so the snow will continue to soften until things re-freeze tonight. Conditions are totally skiable, though will get softer and slower as the day progresses. Cold temps are in the forecast. We will not groom today in order to not make slush. The Stone Turtle Cafe is open today!
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Tue, Jan 13: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
34 degrees and raining in Grayling.
Groomer Dan combed Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue with the tidd tech this morning, and pulled off the trail once rain started. Probably best to stay off the trails. Base is holding up great, this little rainfall shouldn't hurt the trails any. Lets hope the forecasted snow follows tomorrow!
Cote Dame Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/CoteDameMarieSkiLoppet
- Justin Andre
Mon, Jan 12: Big M (Cadillac)
All trails were groomed Sunday January 11. There were a couple dirt patches on Oh Me (not on downhills and you can dodge them) but the rest of the trails are in great shape. There is good base still and the 8” of fresh snow on Saturday really helped. After today's warm up we hae more snow on the way which should make for good conditions this weekend.
- Sue Stroope
Mon, Jan 12: Vasa Trail (Traverse City)
Thanks to yesterday’s groomers for setting classic tracks in the 7” of new snow, and to today’s groomers, for freshening up the skate deck. I skied from Timber Ridge to the Special K & then to the 10/25k split & back in the warm sunshine, and the tracks were great, other than minimal debris & leaves. Many skiers were enjoying the trail before the afternoon warmup! Let it snow!
- Sara Cockrell
Mon, Jan 12: Michaywe (Gaylord)
Rolled and groomed maple ridge. Combed and set track on the river trail, herringbone, south side of the lake loop, and both golf course loops. Some drifting again in open areas, mainly around the pro shop. Also some areas with a little tree debris from the high winds. Conditions are mostly pretty good.
- Mike and Jamie
Mon, Jan 12: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
22° and brisk wind. Rossignol XIUM C2 with Rode super blue grip wax was perfect. The expertly groomed 7” new snow was smooth like butter. Especially beautiful was the Pines loop whose tracks were great late in the day, 90% out of the wind without blown in powder. Bonus- blue skies! 11.7miles/18.8 km
- Mary McKinley
Mon, Jan 12: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Lodge and Trails Open 9am
Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, M-93 groomed with set tracks yesterday and receiving fresh corduroy this morning. **Red was cleared and combed early, expect soft-slow conditions.
Cote Dame - Saturday January 17th!!! Sign up now: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/CoteDameMarieSkiLoppet
Online Registration Closes Thursday January 15th at 11:59pm.
- Justin Andre
Mon, Jan 12: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Looks like a comfortable day to be out on the trails. The whole system was groomed yesterday. A fresh groom is planned on the east side trails, and the green trail on the west side. Open 9 to 5 today. (A reminder that we are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
- MDB
Sun, Jan 11: Sleeping Bear Dunes (Empire)
Heritage Trail, roundtrip from Glen Arbor to Dune Climb and back. 6-8 inches made for a winter wonderland, and groomers were out setting a deep double track. Excellent coverage, with exception of road crossings (of course) and usual windblown area just south out of the Glen Haven trailhead. Many classic skiers out enjoying the day. Center lane rolled and the usual soft and bumpy conditions with lot's of happy snowshoers on it.
- leslie maclin
Sun, Jan 11: Vasa Trail (Traverse City)
With 6+" of snow overnight I wasn't sure how the skiing was going to be. At my late morning arrival the groomers had just finished up grooming the skate lane and setting fresh classic tracks. I was surprised the skating on fresh soft snow wasn't as slow as I expected. It had a nice silky soft underski feel, and the high moisture content snow must have dissolved the sharp edges off the snowflakes so they weren't cutting into the wax and the glide was great. Hopping in the classic tracks on the downhills revealed that they were nice and solid despite having just been set. After finishing the 10K loop I noticed the parking lot was essentially full, and the late arrivals would be getting some peeks of the sun from blue patches of the sky coming from the north.
- Jim Datsko
Sun, Jan 11: Michaywe (Gaylord)
Received 4-6" of fluffy snow since yesterday. Rolled, combed, and set track on the lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops. Base held up pretty well during the warmup. Some of the open areas will be prone to some drifting today.
- Mike and Jamie
Sun, Jan 11: Boyne Mountain (Boyne Falls)
Back to fantastic winter skiing! Trails are being groomed now. By this afternoon, we should have the lower trails ready, upper trails open up through Vojins, and Vistas rolled as well.
- Anne, from Boyne Mountain
Sun, Jan 11: Dunes Golf Club (Empire)
Yikes! A very nice dump of the white stuff. Repairs are complete with 7" of dry snow throughout the area.
Classic skiing conditions exist.
Fun at your own risk
4 MI east of empire on m-72 (the original m22 bypass.
- Kevinski slowski
Sun, Jan 11: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
We received 3-4 inches of fresh snow last night, and the trails are open! Groomer Mike is out rolling and packing the trails, and Groomer Tony has the practice field looking fresh and gorgeous. After we roll the main network, we should be able to snowcomb early this afternoon. We will hold of on setting fresh tracks, but the skiing should be lovely nonetheless! The trees are covered in snow and we will have a cabin boy at Trappers cabin by 11:30am. Come ski with us!
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Sun, Jan 11: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Lodge and Trails Open 9am
Mother Nature delivered the goods—6 inches of fresh snow has blessed the trail system overnight! Yellow, Brown, Blue, and Green are being packed and tracked this morning. Groomer Dan will continue opening additional trails as conditions allow throughout the day.
- Justin Andre
Sun, Jan 11: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
More snow has arrived and we will put it to good use on our entire system. We are planning a full system groom this morning, including Pines Loop. Tracks will be set on all trails. Skate deck should be as good as it gets. There is still some tree debris, small branches and bark in the wooded areas. Groomers have been removing the larger stuff and some skiers have been helping out flicking sticks. Open 9 to 5.
- MDB
Sat, Jan 10: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
31°, no wind at 12 with a fine wet snow falling. Classic skis with purple wax over blue klister slipped so I changed to skate. Good conditions East with skate lane faster than tracks on downhills. 22mph max Dorothy’s Dip. Snow accumulation of 1” obscured corduroy and creaking noise in moist unskied snow in tracks. Snow on my jacket became wet raindrops. By 2pm skating became slow and skied in tracks faster. I switched to Fisher RCR crown classic. I could climb in track all but steepest hills, medium speed in tracks. Falling snow became more intense late afternoon and colder, with at least 2” accumulation at 4pm- 30°. Total 14 miles: 9 skate, 5 classic. At least 3” more heavy, wet, snow fell in Grayling -7pm and whiteout drive to motel. Should be awesome tomorrow!
- Mary McKinley
Sat, Jan 10: Elk Rapids Golf Course (Elk Rapids)
With a fresh inch or two of snow by late afternoon on top of yesterday's bare green grass classic skiing was halfway decent with good glide though occasional clumping.
- Jim Datsko
Sat, Jan 10: Boyne Mountain (Boyne Falls)
Trails are crusty with a half inch of snow on top. The trail head is icy because it gets so much traffic, but 30 yards into the trail, it is much better.
I classic skied a short loop this morning and double poled in the tracks for most of it.
- Anne, from Boyne Mountain
Sat, Jan 10: Dunes Golf Club (Empire)
The latest slab of settled wet snow set up last night but not enough for safe skating. Under that is a solid base of about 2" with 3-5" of crust on top. New snow falling we will see what happens defiantly improving conditions. A majority of previous snow cover survived!
We welcome this latest winter session.
We (whoever we is) need some basement wax science developer to create a "winter mix" wax...
Happy trails
Still plowed parking
4mi. East of Empire on m-72
- Kevinski slowski
Sat, Jan 10: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Lodge and Trails Open 9am.
Groomers were out 5am, clearing debris and combing, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, M-93, Easy Return and Novice. Forecast predicts 4-6 inches the next 24hrs. Trail system has 4-5 inches of base that is grooming out nicely. Sticks and bark may be present, as we had a lot of clean up this morning.
- Justin Andre
Sat, Jan 10: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
The main trail network will be closed today, as conditions are icy and unsafe. We did groom the practice field today, and will host the free lesson at 10:30. We are hopeful that we will get the 4" of forecasted snow later today and tonight and will be able to open the trails again on Sunday.
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Sat, Jan 10: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
The cooler temperatures will allow us to get the PBs out and grooming again. Larry will start with the east side and swing over to the west side. There is snow coming in later in the day, forecast is for 3 to 6 by tomorrow winds gusting to 30 mph. Our base is still very much intact, fresh tracks will be set. In the wooded areas, so expect some tree litter. Please check Nordic Pulse on our website for latest conditions. Open today through Monday, 9 to 5.
- MDB
Fri, Jan 9: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
UPDATE: After further inspection of the trails this afternoon, we are making the call to close the trails for tomorrow, Saturday. It is unfortunate, but there is just too much ice out there for conditions to be safe. We are still expecting snow tomorrow afternoon, but we will have to wait to ski on until it can bond with the hard surface underneath. We will attempt to resume grooming Sunday afternoon after the low/wet spots have hardened up and the new snow has had a chance to settle.
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Fri, Jan 9: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Trail base seems to be holding up well to the weather. We will remain closed again today. Cooler temps in the forecast with snow! Grooming will resume as soon as we can operate without risk of destroying the trail.
- Justin Andre
Fri, Jan 9: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
Trails will closed again today due to warm weather and precipitation. Around 8pm tonight temps drop back below freezing and will remain so all night. Our hope is to get the grooming team out early tomorrow to start chewing up the crusty trails and snowcombing. Our base was pretty strong to start so we should be in ok shape. Trails will be open tomorrow, but expect crusty conditions in the morning. We are set to receive a bunch of snow starting tomorrow afternoon, and then a good stretch of cold temps into next week!
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Thu, Jan 8: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Getting this out now so you can make your plans. Rain is predicted to start at 8pm tonight and end around 10am tomorrow. Temperatures are in the 40’s overnight as well. We do not go below freezing until late Friday evening. Therefore we will be closed tomorrow, reopening on Saturday. We should be able to resume grooming, thankful for the colder temps and some snow in the forecast. NOTE: The skate clinic scheduled for 3:30pm with Callie Knapp is a go for those that signed up. Please arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of time.
- MDB
Thu, Jan 8: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Trails will remain closed today. Temperatures predicted to reach mid 40's today. A great day to be outside, just not on our winter trails. Once Temps drop and the trail system firms up, we will be grooming. (Looking like Friday/Saturday)
- Justin Andre
Thu, Jan 8: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
Well, after arriving and evaluating conditions, no new grooming today. Manmade snow loops are soft enough to ski on. Closing at 1pm today. All trails closed except the man made snow loops
- MDB
Thu, Jan 8: Forbush Corner (Frederic)
We will be open today in spite of the current warmup. Only the man made snow loops will be groomed. Expect soft to softer conditions as the day goes on. The rest of the trail system is closed to protect the base. Tomorrow is wait and see. Check back tomorrow. If we get the rain predicted, we will probably be closed. Weekend looks alot better.
- MDB
Wed, Jan 7: Michaywe (Gaylord)
Just wanted to recognize Mike & Jamie’s effort keeping up with grooming the Michawye xc ski trails. The coverage is 100% as of this report. Even though the weather is not proper, classic skiing in the tracks set the other day was pretty good. Skate deck is softening with the warmer temperatures though, and susceptible to rutting. Thanks Mike and Jamie. Nice to have a groomed trail to ski on out your back door.
- MD Bourassa
Wed, Jan 7: Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville)
Cross-Country trails are currently closed.
- Brittany Roberts
Wed, Jan 7: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)
Temps dipped to 31 last night, so things may have hardened up slightly, but chances are most spots will still be soft. We are closing the trails at noon once again to prevent rutting and to preserve the base as best we can. The trails will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, for that same reason. Rain Thursday night leading into Friday will more than likely mean no skiing Friday either, but we'll wait to make the final call on that until early Friday. Luckily we see temps dropping fast Friday evening and then snow Friday night and all day Saturday, so with any luck, we'll be back on the trails for the weekend!
- George, Mariah, Stu, Erin, Missy, Krista, Alex & the HQ crew
Wed, Jan 7: Hanson Hills (Grayling)
Rain yesterday and above-freezing temperatures have left the snow surface too soft for grooming. Using the trails under these conditions would rut the surface and damage the base, so the trail system is closed today to preserve conditions.
We’ll be back at it once the trail system freezes back up and conditions allow.
- Justin Andre
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