Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
Wax recommendations for the Winter Wolf Skiathlon
1/1/2026 1:05:18 PM
Wax recommendations for the Winter Wolf Skiathlon at Hanson Hills Recreation Area on Saturday, January 3!
Win Toko Jet Liquid Blue, Red, and Yellow!
1/1/2026 - By Mike Muha and Ian Harvey
Toko Giveaway Contest! Enter for a chance to win one each of Toko Jet Liquid Blue, Red, and Yellow, a $405 value!
TOKO Waxing Masterclass: Liquids, Powders, Brushes, Structure & Pro Tips
12/23/2025 - By Ian Harvey
Ian Harvey, Brand Manager for Toko USA, led a hands-on demonstration covering best practices for applying TOKO Jet Liquid, Bloc, and Powder, and offered an inside look at the Toko Wax Machine, sharing tips on how to get the most out of each product.
Five new owners have taken on Stokely Creek Lodge
12/21/2025 12:26:49 AM - By Deanna Path
A new ownership group of five passionate outdoor enthusiasts, Andy Levin, Mary Freeman, Tim Kunin, and Josh and Deanna Plath, have come together to write Stokely’s next chapter.
HHCCSS take commanding lead in Brumbaugh Cup
12/18/2025 6:17:08 AM - By Ernie Brumbaugh
With 3 feet of snow and a home course, last year’s Brumbaugh Cup champion Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop put the rest of the Michigan Cup teams on notice that they intend to win another Cup.
When should you adjust your binding position?
12/16/2025 2:00:00 AM - By Ian Harvey
Binding position on Nordic racing skis can be changed to improve stability, glide, or kick depending on how the skis are feeling. On any given day, binding position for both skate and classic has a whole lot to do with ski performance in terms of both speed and handling.
Jorden Wakeley and Kaitlyn Vanias win Forbush Opener
12/14/2025 12:23:04 AM - By Mike Muha
Forbush Corner kicked off the 2025-2026 Michigan Cup race season in high gear: Immaculate trails, firm but covered in packed new snow, a great course.
Wax recommendations for the Forbush Opener
12/11/2025 3:14:16 AM - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Forbush Opener, the first Michigan Cup race of the season!
Live online waxing clinic with Ian Harvey tonight!
12/10/2025 12:08:56 AM - By CXC Skiing
Join CXC for a live online waxing clinic with Ian Harvey, Brand Manager of Toko US. This free clinic will be recorded. RSVP so you’ll receive access to the recording once it’s available. You can also submit your questions in advance.
New Toko products for 2025/26 winter season
12/7/2025 4:01:00 AM - By Ian Harvey
New waxes and new tools...and some predications about how I expect we will race wax this winter
Jessie Diggins announces her retirement after this season
11/20/2025 10:33:40 AM - By Leann Bentley, USSSB
Jessie Diggins, the most decorated US XC skier in history, formally announces her retirement from cross country ski racing following the end of the 2025-26 season.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters celebrates over 50 years of skiing!
10/21/2025 - By Mariah Frye
For over 50 years, Cross Country Ski Headquarters has been a beloved winter gathering place in Northern Michigan. Surrounded by inland lakes and rivers, this rustic ski lodge and trail system has welcomed generations of skiers, snowshoers, and outdoor lovers looking for fresh air, good food, and winter fun.
UPCOMING
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
THU, JAN 8, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Mass Start Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
FRI, JAN 9, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Classic
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
SAT, JAN 10, 2026
Vasa Raptor Rush Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SISU Ski Fest
ABR Trails, E5299 West Pioneer Road, Ironwood, MI 49938
“Pure Michigan” Winter Trails Day with the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Frosty Freestyle 5K/15K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 11, 2026
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Krazy Klassic 7K/12K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Golden Years Ski School!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
MON, JAN 12, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
TUE, JAN 13, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
WED, JAN 14, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
THU, JAN 15, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
FRI, JAN 16, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, JAN 17, 2026
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Cote Dame Marie Ski Loppet
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, Michigan 49738 (989-348-9266)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 18, 2026
CCSC Flying Squirrel Nordic Race
Crystal Mountain, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, Michigan, United States
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Nub's Nob Classic 5k and 12k
Nub's Nob, 500 Nub’s Nob Road, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, JAN 2
Midland City Forest: Not in the best shape as there is only a 2-3 inches layer of fluffy snow on top of ice. Classical tracks are not present. On the bright side, there are no bare spots.
Independance Oaks: Very cold and very sunny. Full coverage but thin. Skied in tracks only. Lakeshore very doable. Not enough snow for the hills. Should be fun for a weekend jaunt. Enjoy!
Forbush Corner: 15° and 14mph wind at 1 PM. I used classic skis with Toko base binder and Swix Special Green. Fast, firm, deep tracks on loop, Ridge and homerun hill. I added a thin layer of Swix Extra Blue, hitting Roller Coaster, Cry Baby, Badlands to Pines Connector which had deep snow and great coverage. Lots of snow hanging from trees was beautiful and a break from the wind. Late squalls slowed down glide as I skied B-A-D-A. Crossed over to west side and returned via freeway in 1/2” fresh slower snow. 19.6km
Huron Meadows Metropark: Cedar Trace and several other trails are partially rolled with skier tracks present. And where it's not rolled there's plenty of fluff with some tracks. Get your skis out here.
Milham Park Golf Course: Outer loop rolled and skate deck set. Thin, oh surprise, but quite skiable. It helps that is cold now and we should have decent skating over the weekend but after that it's anybody's guess. No classic track set due to the above noted thinness but more than enough to do some free range diagonal fun. Dave D Paul W
Nubs Nob: Excellent skating and classic track conditions today at Nubs Knob. Skating deck is firm with just enough till for control. A little chilly with a bit of wind. very few people skiing.
Stokely Creek: Fresh groom on the Mcguffin loop with on and off lake effect squalls. The Mcguffin loop is fabulous for skating with twisty turns and constantly undulating terrain with much of it nestled in conifers. Very different from the large scale trails in much of the rest of Stokely.
Vasa Trail: Good coverage on the entire trail. Tracks set yesterday are in great shape. Skate deck is decent
Independance Oaks:
Huron Meadows Metropark: Brighton has picked up about 7" of natural snow since NY Eve. It is light and fluffy. HM rolled the other trails so they are skiable but soft underneath. Bucks is in great shape and you can glide out on connector. Happy New Year. Thanks HM crew!
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Friday Snow Lovers.....and that's what we've been getting!! It's a total winter wonderland up here this morning :)
The groomer is out this morning making things look beautiful -- all systems have been Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate. The Pinder system is the most recently groomed, followed by the Crystal system and then the Red Pine system, albeit snow has fallen since, and is still coming down.
We hope everyone has a great second day of the New Year....be careful if you're venturing out :)
Reminder: The SFN Jackrabbit program is tomorrow morning from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Beautiful conditions continue today! Grooming Butch is out snowcombing all trails and conditions should be simply wonderful out there and will remain so through the weekend. Cabin Master Bob will be out at Trappers Cabin today from noon til 3 with a bonfire and hot dogs, so stop by and say hello!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am
Skate lanes are being combed on All Trails, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and Red. Tracks were set Yesterday on Wilderness, All Trails, Yellow, Blue, Brown, Easy Return, Green and Novice.
Saturday is Winter Wolf!! Sign up now:
Registration ends at 5:59pm today
https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/WinterWolfSkiathlon
Forbush Corner: The trail system will be re-groomed today to add the few inches of snow received over the last 24 hours. Nordic Pulse/ Trail conditions bugs are nearly resolved, so check it out on our website. Open 9 to 5 today.
THU, JAN 1
Huron Meadows Metropark: Thank you for grooming and making it a beautiful trail! Skate skiing was a blast! There were so many people! So glad you groomed early to allow for the local beginner skiers to give it a try. People see snow on the ground and they think of skiing. So happy to see new skiers enjoying the sport! Let’s continue to grow skiing as a passion for the future! Way to go Huron Meadows, thanks for making this a possibility in our area.
Huron Meadows Metropark: December 31st: “No grooming will occur on Bucks Run on Jan 1st”
January 1st: “Buck’s Run was groomed today”
I travel an hour to ski, so I have to plan ahead, and skipped a great ski day, assuming the information on the 31st was correct.
So frustrating, Huron Meadows.
Huron Meadows Metropark: December 31st: “No grooming will occur on Bucks Run on Jan 1st”
January 1st: “Buck’s Run was groomed today”
I travel an hour to ski, so I have to plan ahead, and skipped a great ski day, assuming the information on the 31st was correct.
So frustrating, Huron Meadows.
Huron Meadows Metropark: My take is a little different… I found the grooming to be a pleasant surprise. I bought my A and B skis, also coming from over an hour away. Based on yesterday’s report, I knew it would be skiable. To find out I could skate with my A skis on fresh corduroy was just a bonus. Ken described conditions perfectly below. Well done, Huron Meadows! Get out there and enjoy it!
Huron Meadows Metropark: December 31st: “No grooming will occur on Bucks Run on Jan 1st”
January 1st: “Buck’s Run was groomed today”
I travel an hour to ski, so I have to plan ahead, and skipped a great ski day, assuming the information on the 31st was correct.
So frustrating, Huron Meadows.
Lake Ann Pathway: This ungroomed DNR pathway had 8-10" of this week's fresh, dry snow over an icy snow base. All trails had been tracked by other skiers, but only the farthest loop west of the road hadn't been tromped by hikers. I counted 13 trees down over the trail, with some at the bottom of hills, so take care if skiing here. We use classic fishscale EVOs here. Trails west of the road are very hilly, east of the road flat to gentle hills, but with more walkers.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks Run was groomed and is in excellent condition for skating and classic. The classic is probably the best that it's been all year. The connector from the clubhouse to the trail has enough snow that if you're careful you can ski out there but use caution. If you're skating, I would recommend double polling out to the trailhead and staying in the classic tracks that have been skied in , just be a little bit cautious when you go across the Gravel Road . Once you're on bucks, it's A ski conditions for sure.
Boyne Valley Trailway: Groomed for skating, classic & fat tire biking from the Boyne City airport easterly to M-75 near Boyne Boyne Mountain.
Michaywe: Received another 4" since yesterday. Groomed and set track on the lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops. Conditions are good. Happy New Year!
Crystal Mountain: 4" of fresh snow fell yesterday and trails are now groomed and trackset. It's beautiful and conditions are excellent! Open 9am - 5pm daily.
Hanson Hills: Winter Wolf Skiathlon: SATURDAY JANUARY 3RD! Course is looking great!!!
Online Registration Only: Closes at 6pm Friday! https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/WinterWolfSkiathlon
Huron Meadows Metropark: Parks website now says bucks run will be groomed for skate and classic today with no connector trail. This is different than what they said yesterday.if someone goes out there,please post an update.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am.
Groomer Dan has been out combing and tracking All Trails, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, Easy Return, M-93 and Novice Loops this morning. We are hopeful to break trail and set track on Wilderness this afternoon.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 3-4"of fresh snow yesterday and the grooming team is out setting fresh tracks and snowcombing the entire trail network. It should be an absolute dream to ski today!
Forbush Corner: Another year behind us and new hope and adventure ahead! Looks like the snow is going to let up today, and another fresh groom for the trail system, including Pines Loop. Solid skate deck, deep classic tracks. Open 9 to 5.
More trail reports...
