The unexpected snowstorm in Michigan left lower Michigan trails and golf course fairways with deep heavy snow, better for classic than skating. Looking forward to groomed trails! (Photo by Gregory Worsnop).
Cross Country Ski World Championship Team announced
1/22/2019 - By Reese Brown
U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named 18 athletes to the U.S. Cross Country Team that will compete in the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships next month in Seefeld, Austria and be live streamed in its entirely on NBCsports.com.
XCHQ leads Michigan Cup
1/22/2019 - By Mike Muha
As of the Krazy Klassic race, Cross Country Ski Headquarters leads the Michigan Cup team standings, followed by the Vasa Ski Club and Team NordicSkiRacer.
Mike Seaman Memorial 10k Classic moves to Forbush Corner
1/22/2019 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Due to confusion caused by changes in personnel at Treetops this year, the race fell through the cracks. The new site for 2019 Mike Seaman Memorial 10k Classic will be Forbush Corner.
RESULTS: Alex Vanias and Rebecca Davis win cold Cote Dame Maris
1/19/2019 - By Mike Muha
It was a zero day...not zero skis, zero temperature. Fort down-staters, it was about 25 degrees colder than anyone was used to. Up-staters had experienced some colder temperatures, but it was still COLD!
Team NordicSkiRacer leads Brumbaugh Cup
1/18/2019 - By Mike Muha
With four races into the season, Team NordicSkiRacer leads the Brumbaugh Cup for strongest Michigan Cup Team.
UPDATED: Wax recommendations for Cote Dame Marie and Gitchi Gami Games
1/17/2019 - By Mike Muha
Added Solda recommendation... Wax recommendations for Cote Dame Marie (Michigan Cup) and Gitchi Gami Games (Junior National Qualifer)
Forbush Corner to install 2.5km of snowmaking over summer
1/15/2019 - By Forbush Corner
Forbush Corner Nordic cross-country ski center will be substantially extending their ski season by installing a state-of-the-art snow-making system which will initially encompass a 2.5-kilometer trail.
RESULTS: Lars Hallstrom and Jordyn Ross win Krazy Klassic
1/14/2019 - By Mike Muha
Lars Hallstrom and Jordyn Ross won both the Krazy Klassic and the weekend award for lowest cumulative time over the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic races.
RESULTS: Alex Vanias and Jordyn Ross win 10th anniversary Frosty Freestyle
1/12/2019 - By Mike Muha
Alex Vanias came in first in 30:29. For the women, Grand Rapids Nordic's Jordyn Ross was first in 36:06. Conditions were great for the 10th running of the Frosty Freestyle
The Gobles do well at US Nationals for Michigan Tech
1/11/2019 - By Michigan Tech
Former Michigan Cup skiers Reid and Sarah Goble had good finishes at US Nationals, with Reid in the top five in the Freestyle Sprint.
UPDATED: Waxing recommendations for the Frosty Fest races and SISU
1/10/2019 - By Mike Muha
UPDATE: Added Solda recommendation. Wax recommendations for upcoming Michigan Cup races (the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic plus SISU.
RESULTS: 6-Hour Michigan Cup Team Relay
1/8/2019 - By Mike Muha
Finally, it snowed! After a very un-snowy holiday season, Hanson Hills go dumped on in time for the 6-Hour Michigan Cup Team Relay.
UPCOMING
THU, NOV 14, 2019
NordicSkiRacer short rollerski
Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
Kikkan Randal speaks!
Hagerty Campus, 141 Rivers Edge Drive, Traverse City, MI
SAT, NOV 16, 2019
NordicSkiRacer long rollerski
West Boat Launch, Kensington Metropark, Milford, MI
TUE, NOV 19, 2019
NordicSkiRacer short rollerski
Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
THU, NOV 21, 2019
NordicSkiRacer short rollerski
Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
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LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, NOV 13
Rotary Park: ROTARY PARK IS NOT IN BOYNE FALLS. IT IS IN BOYNE CITY.
Rotary Park: Those of you who follow Facebook, may have seen the "Hap Hazard's homemade groomer pic.(nothing grooms like a Deere! lol). Used it in the park yesterday with decent results. We got enough snow today on top of it to make for excellent classic skiing. Leaves aren't really an issue. Leigh Whetstone and I are going to ski in tracks Thursday morning. Feel free to join us! There's also some cool orchard paths on the other side of the park as well as some interesting drummond hills. The park is a safe place to ski during hunting season. Hap Wright, across the street from Rotary Park in Boyne City
Huron Meadows Metropark: After 7pm tonight. North golf course (coyote run) minus the pine tree loop is groomed for skate. Full coverage over the cart paths, a little bit of sticks sticking through in some places. Bucks run is groomed and has tracks but as others have said it's coated in oak leaves and the tracks are unusable. Contractors loop across the lake is groomed for skate, full coverage even on the connector path. Maybe better skiing tonight than all last year at Huron Meadows. B skis definitely, race skis if you're brave. The cart paths can be felt with your poles, they may melt out quick in the next two days. Get it while you can.
Maybury State Park: There are some skied-in tracks; serviceable, but don't bring any good skis. A wide, short, no-wax ski is probably best, especially with all the leaves. I had a nice ski on my trusty Rossi EVO's. There is a section of trail that has been rolled over with the big Gator tires (the dirt road that leads out to the campground), and that was the best glide. Park staff has plowed up snow to leave a nice dry paved trail for walkers, runners, etc., so hopefully the skied-in tracks will hold up while it stays cold. It is a treat to be on snow this early in SE Michigan!
Vasa Trail: With ungroomed settled snow varying from 6" to 12" it is definitely ski-able despite the over-abundance of leaves. Better for classic though I did see one hard-working skater making a go of it. We've been skiing for close to a week but today was the first day with no clumping, so maybe the real ski season has arrived. Deer season starts on Friday so be certain to wear some hunter-orange if venturing out on the trails.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Skated coyote today. Some grass and stick debris to watch out for in lane.
No classic tracks. But snow is soft enough to classic. Saw a few people on classic skis.
Yeah, bucks run is literally a carpet of leaves.
Still anything to ski on down here this early is amazing.
Thanks everyone at Huron Meadows!!!!!!!!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Oak leaves everywhere!!!!!
Most of coyote run and contractor loop is groomed for skating. Bucks run has major leaf issues. Trying to gauge snow for this weekend, but we are hoping to be open for rentals.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Tony Percha called Huron Meadows and Huron Meadows is groomed for skating. Sound like no classic tracks yet. No word on which trails are groomed. Maybe they will post here shortly....
Lake Ann Pathway: I only xc ski Lake Ann Pathway when deep, fresh snow since the hills are too fast when packed or icy, so today was the day. But, the snow was heavy compared to yesterday at neighboring Lost Lake, so slow ski with Mary breaking trail. I had thought someone would have skied or snowshoed it after the storm, but maybe they couldn't since the parking lot has not been plowed yet & 12" deep. Lots of leaves on the trail but not a problem with no-wax classic skis.
Hickory Hills: I would argue that the best place to ski in lower Michigan right now would be Hickory Meadows, the 5k loop has been rolled 3-4 times by coach K and there were so many skiers out there yesterday that mid-winter conditions were near perfect. Where most places still have a lot of leaves to deal with, the meadows seem to have minimal impact. Skate skiing was probably the best. They might even get the big groomer out there today and set some classic tracks.
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