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).
Wax recommendations: Team Relay
1/4/2019 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the 6-Hour Michigan Cup Team Relay at Hanson Hills in Grayling, MI.
Five (!?!?) lead Michigan Cup Standings
12/26/2018 - By Mike Muha
Jordyn Ross, Kyle Hanson, Sam Holmes, Andrew Amato, and Annie Paulson lead the pack after two races.
Team NordicSkiRacer Junior Ski Club is starting its second season
12/18/2018 - By Ricardo Lung and Doug Heady
Our goal is to give young skiers an opportunity to cross country ski with their peers, advance their skiing skills and have FUN. Skiers of all abilities are welcome to join and learn a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
RESULTS: Jordyn Ross and Kyle Hanson take Forbush Time Trial
12/17/2018 - By Mike Muha and Michael Bourassa
It was Jordyn Ross (GRNST), Rebecca Davis, and Mariah Frye-Colie for the second time this weekend. Kyle Hanson (Team NordicSkiRacer) beat Vasa's Sam Holmes, with Kevin Tarras third in the men's race.
RESULTS: Records set at Lakes of the North Winterstart
12/17/2018 - By Curt Peterson
Sam Holmes (Vasa) and Jordyn Ross (Grand Rapids Nordic) set course records on a fast race course at this year's Michigan Cup season-opening Lakes of the North Winterstart
Former Michigan Cup racer Sarah Goble takes two 1st place finishes
12/14/2018 - By NMU
The Huskies performed well across the two-day NMU Open in Marquette, with the highlight of the weekend being the two first-place finishes by junior Sarah Goble.
Legendary Vojin Baic passes away at 89
12/14/2018 - By Reynolds-Jonkhoff
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Sunday, December 16, 2018. Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 11am.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters One of 10 Best Cross Country Ski Destinations
12/14/2018 - By Mariah Frye Colie
The voting ended with Cross Country Ski Headquarters taking a solid 2nd place finish behind the famous Devil’s Thumb Ranch of Colorado.
Michigan Cup Teams explore unorthodox training methods in off-season
12/10/2018 - By Jay Woodbeck
NordicSkiRacer is always looking to be up to date with the latest training techniques. Our investigative journalist has uncovered several new training methods used across Lower Michigan this summer and fall.
Preparing new or freshly stoneground skis
12/6/2018 - By Ian Harvey
New skis or freshly stoneground skis have the potential to be your fastest skis ever. Following this advice will give new skis the best chance possible to reach their potential.
Kirt and Brumbaugh win age groups at Yellowstone 5k
11/25/2018 - By Mike Muha
Two Michigan Cup skiers won their age groups at the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation (WYSEF) / National Nordic Foundation 5km Master Ski Race at the Yellowstone Ski Festival on Saturday, November 14, 2018.
Reserve Fischer demo skis at Yellowstone Ski Festival
11/16/2018 - By Mike Muha
All the major ski vendors will be doing ski demos, but Fischer Skis has opened an online reservation system to make it easier. Instead of waiting in line you can reserve them ahead of time.
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.
More trail reports...
