Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
Team NordicSkiRacer holds off HH/CCSS to win the 2024 Brumbaugh Cup
3/7/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
It takes a full season of commitment to win the Brumbaugh Cup and that is exactly what it took for Team Nordic Ski Racer to clinch the 2024 Brumbaugh Cup.
RESULTS: Headquarters wins overall MI Cup Relays
3/4/2024 - By Mariah Frye Colie, with Mike Muha
It was an awesome day, with better-than-expected conditions on the ~2km Trapper's Cabin trail. The overall spirit was highly enthusiastic and positive, and it seemed like everyone who showed up had a great time!
Wax recommendation for the Michigan Cup Relays
2/29/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the final Michigan Cup race of the 2024 season - the Michigan Cup Relays - moved to Saturday, March 2!
MI Cup Relays MOVED TO SATURDAY MARCH 2!
2/28/2024 - By Mariah Frye Colie
In light of Black Mountain’s cancellation, we are making quick pivot to host the relays this Saturday, March 2. This is in an effort to put on the best race possible with the best conditions possible.
Headquarters continues to lead MI Cup, plus individual standings
2/28/2024 - By Mike Muha
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters continues with a commanding lead, and Team NordicSkiRacer is still solidly in second place, but the Vasa Ski Club has moved ahead of the Grand Rapids Ski Team.
2024 Engadin shortens marathon: TOO MUCH SNOW!
2/27/2024 - By Mike Muha
In the past few days, 57 inches of snow has fallen - so heavy that it has pushed the ice sheet down in Lake Sils. This has allowed water to soak the snow into slush!
RESULTS: 2024 Muffin Race
2/27/2024 - By Mike Muha
Standing On Business, BBN, and Coach Ethan and His Bird were the top male, mixed, and female teams at this annual event at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters.
Vasa Raptors win 2024 Michigan High School Championships
2/25/2024 1:00:00 AM - By Mike Muha
The Vasa Raptors had some standout performances to win the High School Nordic Ski Championships. But the Superiorland Ski Club rocked the Middle School races!
RESULTS: Wakeley and Jordyn win both MI Cup Freestyle and Classic Championships
2/24/2024 - By Mike Muha
Jorden Wakeley (Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop) and Jordyn Ross (Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team) had a great weekend, each winning both the Michigan Cup Freestyle and Michigan Cup Classic Championships.
Wax recommendations: Muffin Race, Birkie, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon
2/22/2024 - By Mike Muha
Recommendations for Toko, Fast Wax, Swix, Rex, and Start!
FLASH RACE at XCHQ
2/20/2024 - By Mariah Frye Colie
We are hosting a flash race to help support Sarah and Reid Goble this Saturday Feb 24th. Join us for a race around the Trapper’s Cabin Loop, and support Michigan’s World Cup athletes!
Waxing recommendations for the Michigan Cup Championships
2/15/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup Championship races!, the Forbush Freestyle and the Hanson Hills Classic...both at Forbush Corner.
UPCOMING
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
FRI, JAN 9, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Classic
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
SAT, JAN 10, 2026
Vasa Raptor Rush Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SISU Ski Fest
ABR Trails, E5299 West Pioneer Road, Ironwood, MI 49938
“Pure Michigan” Winter Trails Day with the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Frosty Freestyle 5K/15K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 11, 2026
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Krazy Klassic 7K/12K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Golden Years Ski School!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SAT, DEC 27
Forbush Corner: Looks like today is the calm before the storm. Planning on close to a full system groom today. East side first, Pines loop and then West side. There will be some thin spots and scattered debris in the woods, but overall trails are tracked over a solid skate deck. Based on the rainy/sleet forecast tomorrow, we expect to be CLOSED. Hopefully the snow returns Sunday night, Monday. That should set us up for a great week of skiing. Open 9 to 5 today.
FRI, DEC 26
Dunes Golf Club: A visit at the dunes golf club this afternoon found that striders were out.
Snow is thin but semi solid in the front area BUT great coverage through out all areas. Hopefully the forecast stiffens it up before we get more snow. The base is still there.
Think snow
Elk Rapids Golf Course: Fastest grass I've ever skied. With the Vasa lacking snow, and with 1/4" of ice on my front sidewalk from today's freezing rain, I decided to give the ERGC across the street a try. It was essentially bare grass conditions, but the 1/4" of ice on everything made the grass, the leaves, everything nice and fast getting at least 1 foot of glide from each ski. I had a thin residue layer of SkiGo Blue Skate wax on these classic waxable rock skis that was previously put on weeks ago for anti-clumping, so maybe that wax contributed to the free speed. It was like frost skiing on steroids
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We are currently in the midst of an ice storm, which is much better than rain! The ice should give way to snow around 11am, and we are hoping for a little accumulation on top of the micro-hail. The base is holding up well and this bit of frozen precipitation (whatever for it takes) will certainly help the trails. Our plan is to groom either later this afternoon after the snow, or to let it set up overnight and groom early tomorrow. Either way, we should have pretty darn good skiing tomorrow!
Forbush Corner: Update. No new grooming today. Will just have to wait out the rain, freezing rain and warmish temps.
Hanson Hills: Groomer Dan is out this morning with the PB 100, laying fresh comb on the skate lanes where conditions allow.
We’re keeping a close eye on the forecast today. A wintry mix is possible, and if it shifts more toward rain, grooming operations will pause for the day to protect the base.
Classic tracks are a few days old and currently glazed. We have not reset them due to concern that, once removed, we may not be able to re-establish them. Tracks are thin in spots.
The good news: the base is holding strong. We’re really just a little fresh snow away from refreshing the entire system.
THU, DEC 25
Forbush Corner: Posting a day early so you can make your plans tomorrow!
We are entering our Holiday stretch. Open tomorrow, 9 to 5, December 26 through January 5th. Then back to normal, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Trails are in good shape and there is snow in the forecast. The entire trail system is open, tracked throughout. We have been out clearing leaners and face slappers. Expect some thin spots and some tree debris in the wooded areas. Due to the weather forecast tomorrow for sleet/freezing rain, the man made snow loops might be the only grooming undertaken.
Hickory Hills:
Merry Christmas to all. Bay Meadows at Hickory Hills was groomed today and if you like fast, controllable conditions, it's the best its been all year!! They didn;t groom everything, but was groomed was outstanding. Get out and Ski! Cliff Onthank. PS Sign up for the Vasa ski race.
More trail reports...
