Tony Percha (lead) and Cyril Grum getting in an early morning rollerski at Kensington Metropark on Island Drive. (Yes, besides a nice bike path, Kensington has a couple quieter roads...)
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.
Estimating snow temperature that's far far away...
2/13/2024 - By Iain Harvey
How can the typical racer who doesn't arrive on the snow until the day of the race know how cold the snow is going to be?
Cross Country Ski Headquarters leads Michigan Cup
2/12/2024 - By Ken Dawson
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters takes a commanding lead in the Michigan Cup, accumulating 13,600 points as of the Forbush Memorial Freestyle. Individual standings also available.
UPDATE: Hanson Hills Classic moves to Forbush Corner
2/9/2024 - By Mike Muha
Forbush Corner will be hosting both the Michigan Cup freestyle and classic February 17 and 18 on the man made snow loop. Start time 9:30. Bib pickup 8:30 - 9:15.
Updated Brumbaugh Cup scoring
2/9/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Team scoring for the Brumbaugh was based on rosters submitted January 1. The additional skiers added through January 31 are also scored and past Brumbaugh Cup race results have been adjusted to account for these additional skiers.
Michigan High School Championships wax recommendations
2/8/2024 - By Mike Muha
Fortunately, there's SNOW at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming, MI. That's good news for the Michigan High School Championships! Now, get waxing...
Team NordicSKiRacer extends lead in Brumbaugh Cup
2/6/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Team NordicSKiRacer extends lead in Brumbaugh Cup in what is a tight race between NordicSkiRacer, Grand Rapids Nordic, and Hanson Hills/Cross Country Ski Shop.
RESULTS: Fast conditions at Marv Stevenson Memorial Classic
2/4/2024 - By Mike Muha
Absolutely beautiful skiing with Klister conditions, icy tracks, so fast!
UPCOMING
FRI, DEC 12, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, DEC 13, 2025
Forbush Opener (Freestyle)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, DEC 14, 2025
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SUN, NOV 30
Dunes Golf Club: Very good coverage for classic.
4mi east of Empire on m-72
Hickory Hills: 7" of snow on the ground. Thanks to Coach K, everything is rolled in the meadow and up the low road and lighted loop on the hill side. Everything has good coverage. Evo's worked great, looked like the skating was good, all be it a little soft
Crystal Mountain: Its kathloon, im back in the saddle as we got a new polaris to pull the tidd tech
We plan on packing the trails today and if we have time we will roll. I will keep you posted.
Hanson Hills: Classic Day on the Nordic Trails!
We picked up another 4–5 inches of snow overnight, because apparently winter heard we were grooming and said, “Add more.” ??
Short grooming day, but here’s what got the fresh treatment:
• Yellow Loop – Skate & Classic
• Green Loop – Classic
• Easy Return – Skate & Classic
Skate deck is soft, so expect that “extra cozy cushion” feel under your skis. ??
As for Tubing & Downhill—we’re not ghosting you. Tentative opening is December 20th, but if conditions let us open earlier, you’ll be the first to know!
Get out and enjoy that new snow! ???????
Hanson Hills: Classic Day on the Nordic Trails!
We picked up another 4–5 inches of snow overnight, because apparently winter heard we were grooming and said, “Add more.” ??
Short grooming day, but here’s what got the fresh treatment:
• Yellow Loop – Skate & Classic
• Green Loop – Classic
• Easy Return – Skate & Classic
Skate deck is soft, so expect that “extra cozy cushion” feel under your skis. ??
As for Tubing & Downhill—we’re not ghosting you. Tentative opening is December 20th, but if conditions let us open earlier, you’ll be the first to know!
Get out and enjoy that new snow! ???????
Kensington Metropark: At least 5" of dense damp slow snow on Kensington Golf Course. Classic skiing is strongly recommended! Me? I tried skating for 45 minutes and it was extremely tough - more a strength workout, even though I tried to ski on a short loop on a single short fairway. Skating is NOT recommended today. Hope Huron Meadows and Kensington groom when the temps drop.
Hickory Hills: Skated the meadows after Evo skiing at Interlochen. Ran into a good friend along with 5 deer on the trail at dusk. Guess they didn't know deer season isn't over yet.
Good skiing in the meadows portion but pretty thin. With the new snow from Saturday night it should be great for Sunday. Go Coach K our Hickory early groomer. Don't forget to sign up for Vasa before prices go up.
Forbush Corner: What a nice start start to the ski season. Over 100 skiers took advantage of light winds, mild temperatures and the first groom of two feet of snow on our east side trail system. Another 5 inches arrived last night! Our south trail, Cry Baby, was cleared yesterday and we can start working on the west side trails this week. Open 9 to 5.
SAT, NOV 29
Interlochen Golf Course: Never skied Interlochen before but got a report from Bryce and Sara so Karen and I went. They skied in a great track and with our Evo's we had a great time. Pretty flat course but fine for early classic skiing.
Valley Spur: We received 4-6" of snow in the last storm. Hopefully more coming tonight and soon after. No grooming yet. Backcountry skiing could be done. Deer hunting's last day is Sunday so be aware.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Has anybody been by HM to see if they are blowing snow yet? Ski hills in the area have been making snow for a few days now.
Michaywe: Lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops have been rolled in order to establish a base. Areas along cart paths and path crossings are a little thin. Best current conditions are the 2 golf course loops.
Interlochen Golf Course: 4" dense, good glide snow. We classic skied with EVOs in tracks made by another skier yesterday.
Interlochen Golf Course is a good close-to-home option for us during firearm season and when snow is thin. Later in the season, a volunteer grooms a classic track here.
Hanson Hills: Nordic and Fat Bike Trails are shaping up! Groomer Dan broke trail on most of the Nordic system yesterday. Blue and green, easy return are combed this morning. Tracks will be set on novice, green , blue, and easy return by 10am.
Fat bike Groomer Mark has made 2 passes and asks that riders to stay patient and allow for the trail to set up.
Xc & Fat Bike: We are not staffed for trail pass sales this weekend (Lodge is Closed) please put donations in the blue donation tube near the rotary pavilion! Help feed our groomers!
Forbush Corner: Opening day has arrived! We have been concentrating on the east side trail system, clearing fallen and leaning trees and packing with the PB. Expect trails to be groomed for skating and classic. I am using my “A” skis today. Hours of operation 9 to 5, Thursday thru Monday.
More trail reports...
