Team NordicSkiRacer's Zibgy Zlobicki, Tony Percha, Doug Cornell, and Cyril Grum at Island Lake Recreation Area, testing the new pavement. Conclusion? The section to Kent Lake is a 5; the rest of the repaving is only a 3.
Wax recommendations! Let the ski racing season begin!
12/12/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's races! (Hey Swix, FastWax, Rex, Rode, Solda...how about some recommendations....)
PSIA (Professional Ski Instructor Association) Clinics for 2025
11/27/2024 - By Amy Powell
PSIA has a clinic for everyone! It will equip you with the resources and knowledge to enhance your personal skiing and teaching skills.
Vasa honors skiers who have completed 30 or more Vasa races
11/18/2024 - By Ken Dawson
New this year, the North American Vasa will honor the tradition of the 49th annual NAV race by giving special recognition to the skiers that have completed 30 or more Vasa races.
High School Nordic Race Ski Equipment Rental Program
11/17/2024 - By Mariah Frye
Cross Country Ski Headquarters (XC Ski HQ) will offer a cross country ski equipment season rental program to junior racers this season.
Toko Nordic Fixation Options
11/4/2024 - By Ian Harvey
It’s time to think about setting up your ski and snowboard preparation area. Here are our options regarding tables and vises.
Happy 50th, Cross Country Ski Headquaters!
11/1/2024 - By Cross Country Ski Headquaters
Cross Country Ski Headquarters has been a beacon of authentic, outdoor experiences for half a century.
Toko news and musings
10/31/2024 - By Ian Harvey
New logo, US Ski Team visit, Ben Ogden, planned wax clinics for the West Yellowstone Ski Festival, and Team Birkie!
2024-2025 Michigan Cup race calendar
10/17/2024 - By Mike Muha
The schedule is nearly identical as last season's, with twenty-one races. The only change is the loss of the Lakes of the North Freestyle
The Vasa Tradition continues in 2025
10/16/2024 - By Gretchen Carr
We have partnered with Traverse City Parks and Recreation to add a backup site at Hickory Hills which has snow-making ability.
Sten Fjelheim inducted into the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame
9/17/2024 - By Mike Muha
The legendary Sten Fjeldheim will be inducted into the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame on September, 20, 2024. Of the 73 Hall of Famers, Fjeldheim is the first to represent Nordic skiing.
Andy Liebner's Homer Epic 100k ski adventure
9/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
Andy Liebner created a mini-documentary about growing up in Alaska and competing in the 2024 Homer Epic 100k cross country ski race. The 100k route climbed 6,194 feet.
2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Announced
9/13/2024 - By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announced the 27 athletes who have accepted their nominations and have officially been named to the 2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team.
UPCOMING
SAT, DEC 14, 2024
CXC Jr. Cup / Midwest Division - Classic Sprint
Cable, WI - American Birkebeiner Trailhead
PSIA Education Clinic
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733
XC Ski HQ: Free Beginner Ski Lesson*
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
SUN, DEC 15, 2024
CXC Jr. Cup / Midwest Division - Freestyle Individual Start
Cable, WI - American Birkebeiner Trailhead
Forbush Corner Time Trial
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733
SAT, DEC 21, 2024
XC Ski HQ: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
SUN, DEC 22, 2024
XC Ski HQ: George Frye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
SAT, DEC 28, 2024
XC Ski HQ: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
THU, DEC 12
Vasa Trail: Went out for a night ski and conditions are now awesome, way better than earlier in the day. The groomers groomed every single trail (even jack pine!) with a nice corduroy and they said they'll be setting tracks in the morning too! Thanks so much, TART and groomers!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Props to the crew at HM for rolling the golf course. Unfortunately by late afternoon, the wind has blown the light snow and grass is showing through most places.
Vasa Trail: It was a tough morning for my snowblower, with snow getting clogged up despite it being in the teens, but 9-11” deep & 88% humidity, so had to change clothes after shoveling the deck.
I rarely ski from the Bartlett trailhead since I have a Timber Ridge pass, but had an afternoon appt nearby & really enjoyed skiing Headwaters out & back. There were tracks set but some were skied over by skaters since narrow trail. I love the hills, twist & turns, which makes for a fun workout of 4.2 miles & 515 ft elevation change. Stopped at George Kuhn’s bench & passed Mario & Amy for the 3rd time in the past week.
Don’t forget to get your TART grooming badge to support the Vasa, Muncie & Leelanau groomers & equipment maintenance !
Crystal Mountain: We got everything rolled today. Tomorrow i will get everything groomed. Still not enough for a track set.
Vasa Trail: The trails at Timber Ridge were awesome with even a nice classic. Hit the Vasa trail and it had been rolled earlier but there was another 3-4" of soft snow on top to the rolled deck. I skated and it was harder, should have classic skied. No set tracks yet so hopefully tomorrow will be better. Don't forget to signup for vasa race.
Vasa Trail: The trails at Timber Ridge were awesome with even a nice classic. Hit the Vasa trail and it had been rolled earlier but there was another 3-4" of soft snow on top to the rolled deck. I skated and it was harder, should have classic skied. No set tracks yet so hopefully tomorrow will be better. Don't forget to signup for vasa race.
Vasa Trail: Got out this morning and trails were rolled but are still relatively soft due to the fresh snow. It's beautiful out there! Timber ridge is in pretty good shape compared to everything else and they even have tracks set (though in most spots one track is partially buried)! Planning to go out again later today!
Valley Spur: About 24" new snow. All trails groomed and tracked. Expect skate platform to be soft after this heavy snow dump. Cold temps so snow should set up nicely over the next two days.
Michaywe: Received 8-12 inches off fresh snow so far. Packed and rolled entire trail system. Snow is still falling and drifting. Amount of snow we get overnight will determine what we are able to do tomorrow.
Huron Meadows Metropark: On Huron Meadows website 12/12/24:
Huron Meadows Metropark – Park is open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
Classic and Skate Ski Trails – 12/12/2024 – The Ski Center is open. Hawk Hills and Coyote Run have been rolled. There is a trail going from Sunset parking lot to golf course. There are no classic tracks.
Skiers are welcome to use any of the other ski trails if there is enough natural snow. The trails will only be groomed if there is significant snowfall.
Hanson Hills: Winter Storm in full effect!! Groomer Dan is rolling and packing trails this morning. However it is very windy and trails are getting blown in. We are anticipating 6-12 new inches by the time this is over (Friday). We will be grooming and setting tracks tomorrow in preparation for the weekend!!!
Crystal Mountain: Bad news is we lost a lot of snow over the warm spell and rain. Good news is I got 7.5 inches at my house between yesterday and last night. Don't know how much fell at Crystal. It's lake effect snow and we all know that once you pack it it doesn't amount to much. With our snowmobile in for repairs, Greg and I plan on packing/rolling with gators today. Gonna be a cold ride! I'll let you know how it turns out.
WED, DEC 11
Hickory Hills: Hickory meadows was exceptionally good. The snow on the trails held well during the warm spell thanks to Jason and the volunteer groomers. I would not recommend going up the Hill from the parking lot TH going counter clock-wise. It is too thin in that area but everything else has very good snow. I skated on fresh snow and a firm deck but classic skis would have worked as well. Don't forget to get your trail pass, we need to support Nordic Skiing at this venue. For non-racers and touring people don't forget to signup for the Vasa 6k tour on Sunday February 9th. 1st time entry gets 1/2 off and everyone gets a free Petosky pretzel from TC. It is a non competitive event and a chance to go to the Community Celebration Post Party on Saturday February 8th from 4pm - 7pm, don't miss it.
Hickory Hills: Hickory meadows was exceptionally good. The snow on the trails held well during the warm spell thanks to Jason and the volunteer groomers. I would not recommend going up the Hill from the parking lot TH going counter clock-wise. It is too thin in that area but everything else has very good snow. I skated on fresh snow and a firm deck but classic skis would have worked as well. Don't forget to get your trail pass, we need to support Nordic Skiing at this venue. For non-racers and touring people don't forget to signup for the Vasa 6k tour on Sunday February 9th. 1st time entry gets 1/2 off and everyone gets a free Petosky pretzel from TC. It is a non competitive event and a chance to go to the Community Celebration Post Party on Saturday February 8th from 4pm - 7pm, don't miss it.
Interlochen Golf Course: Only a dusting this morning on top of crusty frozen base at IGC. More snow forecast so hoping to ski the Vasa again on Friday.
Vasa Trail: I skied with no wax touring skis from Timber Ridge out to the Vasa (counterclockwise on ungroomed trail) to Jack Pine and back at 9:30. It was beautiful with 1.5 inches of new snow overnight and new snow falling the whole time. T.R. rolled their trails twice while I was out and they were the best skiing today. Thanks Chris! Don't forget to buy your T.R. Winter Passes.
Valley Spur: The groomer is out today, but no report back. Big snowstorm coming today so expect tomorrow to be a battle to pack things. We'll update again when the groomers get the trails back in order.
Hanson Hills: We received about an inch of new snow overnight. Existing base is holding up well and firming up with the colder temps. We are keeping traffic off again today. Great News!! Forecast is calling for 6-12 inches beginning this afternoon through Thursday. We will be packing and grooming again tomorrow morning in preparation for the weekend.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Good morning! We received just over 2 inches of snow last night. With more snowfall in the forecast for today and tonight, the grooming team is going to hold off on grooming today so that more snow can accumulate onto the base. Trails are open, and conditions should be decent with the fresh snowfall! Join us today for lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe!
More trail reports...
