Doug Cornell says Forbush Corner has been fantastic for skiing!
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.
2025-26 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announced
10/18/2025 5:00:26 AM - By Leann Bentley, Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team A Team is led by three-time Olympic medalist and seven-time World Championship medalist Jessie Diggins, two-time World Championship medalist Julia Kern and Olympians Rosie Brennan, Gus Schumacher, Ben Ogden, JC Schoonmaker and Sophia Laukli.
North American Vasa celebrates 50th Anniversary in Traverse City
10/16/2025 - By North American Vasa
This year's festival will revive the 50-kilometer classic and freestyle races in honor of the event's 50-year history.
UPCOMING
THU, DEC 25, 2025
SUN, DEC 28, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski: JoeFrye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
THU, JAN 1, 2026
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
TUE, DEC 23
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received about a half inch of dense, fresh snow overnight. This has improved the trail surface significantly, as it has covered the pine needles and oak leaves with great success. The snow itself is pretty moist, but snow nonetheless! Enjoy the conditions early today as temps are on the rise. Classic tracks will be nice this morning. Day lodge and cafe are open.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Christmas Eve Eve :) It's a warm one out there today....and it's currently foggy up here -- adding to the beautiful magic of skiing through the woods!
The 2 km Lighted was groomed for both classic and skate. The groomer is currently on the Crystal system cleaning it up. It will be set for both classic and skate when they're done.
We hope everybody has a great day!!
Hanson Hills: Due to warmer snow conditions, we’ve decided to keep grooming equipment off the trails for now to protect the base. The good news—conditions are still skiing well, so get out and enjoy a great day on the snow.
Lodge and Trails open at 9am
MON, DEC 22
Forbush Corner: Super fast, glazed, crunchy goodness, flying down the tracks. 27° F at 11 AM, no new snow, no wind. Rex liquid red klister was perfect, fast climbs and descents on fresh groom on Home Run Hill. Freeway connector was especially nice- deep, molded tracks, clean snow. Other fast skiers were using zero skis or skating..Tiny bits of drizzle and bursts of fat snowflakes near 12 gave way to softer snow by 2pm. Could still do fast laps on Linda’s link, though my grip could not hold for tracks on the hills at end, 34°F.
Forbush Corner: Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Hey SK8TR BOIS: please try to keep your ski tips out of the classic tracks on Bucks Run. Instead, use that destructive energy to knock down the little berm the groomer leaves for you on the skate deck - thanks
Classic skiers: the man made snow is fast and there is good grip with fish scales going up the “hill” - enjoy!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Good morning! Groomer Mike snow combed all the trails this morning, leaving the trail surface very nice. The big debris has been cleared, but there are still little bits of debris down on the trails from the big winds of the last couple days. All trails are open. Classic tracks are in mixed condition, with some parts OK, and some parts washed out and/or glazed. The cafe and day lodge are open!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning, it's Monday!! We hope everybody had a great weekend :)
The groomer was out last night -- All systems were groomed for both classic and skate, minus the Hiawatha loop on the Crystal system.
Come on up and enjoy this beautiful day! Why, you ask? Cross-country skiing gives you peace and energy. Your lungs are full of cold, clean air, a warm flush to your face, and the quiet confidence that only comes from moving your own body through real winter.
If winter feels long, this is the sport that turns it into something to look forward to :)
Have a great Monday everybody!!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails are open at 9am.
All Trails, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, and Sue’s Return have a packed skate deck with set tracks from yesterday.
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing M-93 and Red.
Wilderness has tracks set on Saturday and is skiing well.
Enjoy the trails and have a great ski day!
Forbush Corner: Looks like a nice winter day to be outside. All trails are open and tracked. Some limited grooming today, getting to the point where more snow is needed on the trails in the woods. Open 9 to 5 today. Then closed 23, 24, and 25. We will then reopen on the 26th and stay open, 9 to 5, everyday through Jan 5th. Happy Holidays all!
SUN, DEC 21
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks Run was spectacular today with the beautiful blue sky day! Thanks to the wonderful crew who works so hard on making snow and grooming!
Forbush Corner: Mark your calendar’s and make your plans. Here is our Holiday schedule. We will be closed Dec 23, 24 and 25th. Then open on Dec 26th through Jan 5th, weather permitting. Happy Holidays!
Forbush Corner: 17° and light wind, 1” snow overnight. I used my classic skis prepped and skied late yesterday afternoon. I skated 9 miles yesterday in great conditions, a combo of east and west side trails, as the whole system was freshly groomed. Noting while I skated that the classic track was rocket fast, Saturday late afternoon (34° F), I put a thin layer of Swix Blue klister on my Atomic ARCs and ironed it smooth. 1 mile test showed it was not quite grippy enough, so I added a layer of Rex liquid red klister. I skied 3.5 miles, including going up home run Hill in the track, after picking several Pineneedles out of the klister. Despite the temperature today being much colder, the skis worked perfectly! Less than a handful of leaf pieces adhered to the skis, no Pine needles at all, 11 miles, the loop, roller coaster, West side 8–11x2, A-D round trip. I chose blue klister yesterday because of the prediction that the temperature would be much colder today. More Rex red likely will be required tomorrow when temperatures come up to mid 30s. Given no significant snow in the near forecast, klister
or skins will be the best choice in these conditions.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Awesome skate and classic conditions! The skate lane was firm and fast but had enough softness on top to maintain control. I used my A racing skis.
The classic track was hard and deep - and definitely klister, skins, or fishscales required...or doublepole!
Hanson Hills:
Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Trail System received about an inch of new snow since yesterdays grooming.
PB 100 was out at 5am, Yellow, Brown, Blue, All Trails, Green are combed and tracked. Easy Return and M-93 have a combing pass down them. Wilderness received fresh tracks yesterday. Get out and Ski!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Strong, blustery winds blew down upon the trails last night, leaving a bunch of branches and a few down trees. Trail clean-up operations are under way, but there will be no grooming until the trails are cleaned up and cleared of debris. Trails are open, but there are many sticks and pine needles, rock skis may be advised. There is snow in fore cast for tomorrow, so hopefully we can get back to grooming tomorrow evening or Tuesday!
Forbush Corner: Quick update. Per our Nordic pulse on our website, looks like Larry has hit the west side trails in addition to east side. Should be really good skiing over there today
Forbush Corner: Per the calendar, winter officially arrives today. The last few days have been pretty windy with some snow mixed in. Trails are in nice shape, the only issue being tree debris scattered about in the wooded areas. Waxless skis (skins/fishscales) were the best choice yesterday for classic skiers, skaters just needed to avoid bark and pine cones. Since the whole system was groomed yesterday, Larry is just going to re-groom the 240 loop and Ridge.
More trail reports...
