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, 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
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
TUE, DEC 30
Michaywe: Received anywhere from 1-12 inches depending on drifting. Packed groomed and set track on the entire trail system. Trailhead by the pro shop is wind blown and thin, but conditions improve once you get beyond that. Again the river trail and herringbone offer the best conditions.
Crystal Mountain: With 10" of fresh powder, our grooming team has been busy on the trails this morning. The flats are currently open but the hills are on pause for today, December 30.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Tuesday Morning!! We hope everybody faired well after that storm. It's a sunny morning, albeit still a bit windy.
The groomer was out early this morning -- the entire Pinder system and the 2k Lighted have been Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate.
They are heading out this morning to roll pack the Crystal and the Red Pine systems.
Have a great New Year's Eve Eve!!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open at 9am.
Groomer Dan has been on the trail system since 5am and is happy to report that 5–6 inches of new snow has packed and groomed out beautifully. Conditions are excellent.
Fresh classic tracks are being set on:
All Trails
Yellow
Brown
Blue
Easy Return
M-93 has received fresh corduroy and is skiing great.
This is a near-perfect reset of our Nordic trail system—about as good as it gets. Please remember to stop in the lodge to purchase your trail passes before heading out.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After a blizzard of a day yesterday, and more snow through the night, the trails are looking nice! Groomer Mike is out rolling as we speak and will groom everything up afterwards to make for some good skiing. More snow is forecasted for today and tomorrow, so we expect to set tracks on everything we can. Still a bit blustery out there, so there is a chance for a some light debris, but nothing extreme. Come on out and enjoy the snow!
Dunes Golf Club: Significant Repairs have made to the entire area taking care of the less than desirable conditions s that had evolved.
Wind blown snow covered the base layer with various depths , drifts, and scattered rail trash.
Deluxe wilderness winter conditions exist for classic skiing in a golf course setting.
Enjoy winter
Forbush Corner: We received about 6 inches of dense system snow and some more lake effect snow over night. The new snow should groom up really well and make for some great skiing this week. We did receive some ice before the storm which created some leaning trees that will need to be removed and will slow down the grooming. The plan is to do the east side trails and pines loop. Time permitting we will also do the west side. It will take some time to get the grooming completed. Nordic Pulse is currently not working.
MON, DEC 29
Crystal Mountain: What a difference a day makes. We had snowing and drifting all day. I packed and tracked all the flats barely making it thru with gator and tidd tech. It was filling back in behind me. We will get back at it tomorrow. Skate lanes will be soft at least for a couple days but will have a great trackset.
Crystal Mountain: What a difference a day makes. We had snowing and drifting all day. I packed and tracked all the flats barely making it thru with gator and tidd tech. It was filling back in behind me. We will get back at it tomorrow. Skate lanes will be soft at least for a couple days but will have a great trackset.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We are currently in the midst of a blizzard, we've gotten about 1'"-2" so far and it just keeps coming. The trails will be open, but we will not be able to groom until this evening, as we did receive a bit of rain last night and we need to let the base re-freeze beneath the new snow. Some of the low spots might be soft underneath the fresh snow, but things will just keep getting better and better! Winter is back!
Hanson Hills: Snow has begun falling as of early this morning, accompanied by gusty winds. Forecasts are calling for 4–8 inches of new snow today.
Given the expected accumulation, grooming operations will be paused for the day. Keeping equipment on the trails during active snowfall would be an endless battle and counterproductive.
Trails remain open, but grooming will resume once snowfall tapers off and conditions allow. The fresh snow will set us up well for improved conditions once we’re able to get back out there
Forbush Corner: The good news. We are getting some decent snow. However, conditions are hazardous due the winds and blowing snow. We are planning on opening, but not until NOON, so please do not come out any earlier than that. We are thinking about maybe grooming Badlands, as it is out of the wind. Tough sledding today. Once this storm passes, conditions will be great!
SUN, DEC 28
Hickory Hills: Just came back from CO where it was over 70d. Not much snow out west in the mountains or Utah and New Mexico. Hoping to get back and ski over at Hickory Hills and found it surprisingly good. This place is definitely the "get no respect" Nordic ski area, but it is a great place to ski and thanks to the likes of coach K and the other groomers, Hickory has a solid base that should last all winter. The continuous grooming has been remarkable in creating a wonderful ski experience for all ability levels. On some days I saw as many skiers at Hickory as I have on the Vasa Trail. There were at least 8-10 skiers when I was out there. Best to skate ski right now until we get more snow.
Stokely Creek: Double pole-o-rama on a glazed track with a freezing mist on yesterday's groom. Somewhat chunky and highly variable in the tight turns if you stepped out of the track. Skating on stiff skis would have been a good call too. Fingers crossed the coming storm doesn't bring down too much debris.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Currently 32F and misting. No grooming today. Trails will close at noon to protect the base during the rain/mix that is coming around 1pm. Wintery mix will be transitioning to snow around 1AM. We are forecasted to get a good amount of snow after this warm front moves through, and our base should hold up so we should be back to good conditions hopefully by Monday afternoon. Hold fast!
Forbush Corner: Current situation at the corner is a coating of freezing rain. We will be closed today. Roads are glare ice with a steady rain moving in this afternoon. It's not safe to drive and it isn't fun to ski in anyways. Snow returns tonight into tomorrow. Base is in good shape and skiing should be great after this storm passes.
Hanson Hills: Freezing rain this morning, with more expected this afternoon, has led us to close the Lodge and Trail System today. With the current ice, it’s best to keep grooming equipment off the trails and let the base set up.
The good news is the forecast is calling for a changeover to snow, which should be a big help for trail conditions heading into Winter Wolf weekend.
We’re planning to reopen tomorrow, and Groomer Dan will be out early to check conditions and start grooming. See you tomorrow.
More trail reports...
