Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
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.
2024 Birkie: Shorter distance, lots of laps
2/13/2024 - By American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
The American Birkebeiner, traditionally a 50K race, will now be a 30K event. The Kortelopet, a beloved 29K race, will be condensed to a 20K distance. Additionally, the Prince Haakon, typically a 15K race, will be shortened to a 10K course.
UPCOMING
THU, DEC 25, 2025
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
MON, DEC 22
Forbush Corner: Super fast, glazed, crunchy goodness, flying down the tracks. 27° F at 11 AM, no new snow, no wind. Rex liquid red klister was perfect, fast climbs and descents on fresh groom on Home Run Hill. Freeway connector was especially nice- deep, molded tracks, clean snow. Other fast skiers were using zero skis or skating..Tiny bits of drizzle and bursts of fat snowflakes near 12 gave way to softer snow by 2pm. Could still do fast laps on Linda’s link, though my grip could not hold for tracks on the hills at end, 34°F.
Forbush Corner: Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Hey SK8TR BOIS: please try to keep your ski tips out of the classic tracks on Bucks Run. Instead, use that destructive energy to knock down the little berm the groomer leaves for you on the skate deck - thanks
Classic skiers: the man made snow is fast and there is good grip with fish scales going up the “hill” - enjoy!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Good morning! Groomer Mike snow combed all the trails this morning, leaving the trail surface very nice. The big debris has been cleared, but there are still little bits of debris down on the trails from the big winds of the last couple days. All trails are open. Classic tracks are in mixed condition, with some parts OK, and some parts washed out and/or glazed. The cafe and day lodge are open!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning, it's Monday!! We hope everybody had a great weekend :)
The groomer was out last night -- All systems were groomed for both classic and skate, minus the Hiawatha loop on the Crystal system.
Come on up and enjoy this beautiful day! Why, you ask? Cross-country skiing gives you peace and energy. Your lungs are full of cold, clean air, a warm flush to your face, and the quiet confidence that only comes from moving your own body through real winter.
If winter feels long, this is the sport that turns it into something to look forward to :)
Have a great Monday everybody!!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails are open at 9am.
All Trails, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, and Sue’s Return have a packed skate deck with set tracks from yesterday.
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing M-93 and Red.
Wilderness has tracks set on Saturday and is skiing well.
Enjoy the trails and have a great ski day!
Forbush Corner: Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
SUN, DEC 21
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks Run was spectacular today with the beautiful blue sky day! Thanks to the wonderful crew who works so hard on making snow and grooming!
Forbush Corner: Mark your calendar’s and make your plans. Here is our Holiday schedule. We will be closed Dec 23, 24 and 25th. Then open on Dec 26th through Jan 5th, weather permitting. Happy Holidays!
Forbush Corner: 17° and light wind, 1” snow overnight. I used my classic skis prepped and skied late yesterday afternoon. I skated 9 miles yesterday in great conditions, a combo of east and west side trails, as the whole system was freshly groomed. Noting while I skated that the classic track was rocket fast, Saturday late afternoon (34° F), I put a thin layer of Swix Blue klister on my Atomic ARCs and ironed it smooth. 1 mile test showed it was not quite grippy enough, so I added a layer of Rex liquid red klister. I skied 3.5 miles, including going up home run Hill in the track, after picking several Pineneedles out of the klister. Despite the temperature today being much colder, the skis worked perfectly! Less than a handful of leaf pieces adhered to the skis, no Pine needles at all, 11 miles, the loop, roller coaster, West side 8–11x2, A-D round trip. I chose blue klister yesterday because of the prediction that the temperature would be much colder today. More Rex red likely will be required tomorrow when temperatures come up to mid 30s. Given no significant snow in the near forecast, klister
or skins will be the best choice in these conditions.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Awesome skate and classic conditions! The skate lane was firm and fast but had enough softness on top to maintain control. I used my A racing skis.
The classic track was hard and deep - and definitely klister, skins, or fishscales required...or doublepole!
Hanson Hills:
Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Trail System received about an inch of new snow since yesterdays grooming.
PB 100 was out at 5am, Yellow, Brown, Blue, All Trails, Green are combed and tracked. Easy Return and M-93 have a combing pass down them. Wilderness received fresh tracks yesterday. Get out and Ski!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Strong, blustery winds blew down upon the trails last night, leaving a bunch of branches and a few down trees. Trail clean-up operations are under way, but there will be no grooming until the trails are cleaned up and cleared of debris. Trails are open, but there are many sticks and pine needles, rock skis may be advised. There is snow in fore cast for tomorrow, so hopefully we can get back to grooming tomorrow evening or Tuesday!
Forbush Corner: Quick update. Per our Nordic pulse on our website, looks like Larry has hit the west side trails in addition to east side. Should be really good skiing over there today
Forbush Corner: Per the calendar, winter officially arrives today. The last few days have been pretty windy with some snow mixed in. Trails are in nice shape, the only issue being tree debris scattered about in the wooded areas. Waxless skis (skins/fishscales) were the best choice yesterday for classic skiers, skaters just needed to avoid bark and pine cones. Since the whole system was groomed yesterday, Larry is just going to re-groom the 240 loop and Ridge.
More trail reports...
