Tony Percha (lead) and Cyril Grum getting in an early morning rollerski at Kensington Metropark on Island Drive. (Yes, besides a nice bike path, Kensington has a couple quieter roads...)
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.
MI Cup Committee: Equal points for all
10/3/2025 3:41:00 PM - By Mike Muha
The Michigan Cup Committee made some big changes to scoring the Michigan Cup at this year's Committee Meeting, plus special options for Super Masters, and partial points for Vasa's 50th anniversary 50k marathon!
Copper Country Ski Tigers seek new Head Coach
10/3/2025 3:33:34 PM - By Amy Hamlin
The Copper Country Ski Tigers are looking for a passionate, motivated HEAD COACH to lead our junior Nordic Ski program in Michigan’s snowy Upper Peninsula!
2026 Junior Nationals coming to Mt. Telemark Village
9/25/2025 9:00:00 AM - By CXC Skiing
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation will be hosting the 2026 Junior XC Skiing Nationals Championships March 9-13, 2026.
MI Cup Committee meets Sunday, Sep 28
9/12/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The Michigan Cup Committee annual meeting will review the upcoming season, including the tentative race schedule (attached).
Start Wax emerges from bankruptcy
6/19/2025 4:11:49 PM - By Start Skiwax Oy
The manufacturer of Start ski waxes has returned from bankruptcy thanks to a group of ten Finnish stakeholders, some former employees and others new to the company. The new company is called Start Skiwax Oy.
Rollerskiing Clinic Schedule Summer 2025
6/5/2025 - By Andy Liebner
We're hoping to recruit some new people to rollerskiing and some of these sessions are geared for them (no pun intended), but seriously, we'll have skis and poles free to use and purchase at a discount. It's a great way to try it out with minimal risk. If you have friends who may be interested, please forward this info to them.
UPDATED 3/25/2025: Cross Country Ski Headquarters wins 2025 Michigan Cup
3/25/2025 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED 3/25/2025: Age class winners! The Cross Country Ski Headquarters has won the overall Michigan Cup, finishing head and shoulders above second place Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team. Team NordicSkiRacer takes third.
UPDATED! MI CUP CHAMPIONS: Davis, Wakeley, Zeratsky, and Kasperowic
3/25/2025 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED 3/25/2025! We have the overall male and female winners for the 2025 Michigan Cup...and UPDATED the Girls Podium!
UPCOMING
FRI, DEC 12, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, DEC 13, 2025
Forbush Opener (Freestyle)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, DEC 14, 2025
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SUN, NOV 30
Dunes Golf Club: Very good coverage for classic.
4mi east of Empire on m-72
Hickory Hills: 7" of snow on the ground. Thanks to Coach K, everything is rolled in the meadow and up the low road and lighted loop on the hill side. Everything has good coverage. Evo's worked great, looked like the skating was good, all be it a little soft
Crystal Mountain: Its kathloon, im back in the saddle as we got a new polaris to pull the tidd tech
We plan on packing the trails today and if we have time we will roll. I will keep you posted.
Hanson Hills: Classic Day on the Nordic Trails!
We picked up another 4–5 inches of snow overnight, because apparently winter heard we were grooming and said, “Add more.” ??
Short grooming day, but here’s what got the fresh treatment:
• Yellow Loop – Skate & Classic
• Green Loop – Classic
• Easy Return – Skate & Classic
Skate deck is soft, so expect that “extra cozy cushion” feel under your skis. ??
As for Tubing & Downhill—we’re not ghosting you. Tentative opening is December 20th, but if conditions let us open earlier, you’ll be the first to know!
Get out and enjoy that new snow! ???????
Hanson Hills: Classic Day on the Nordic Trails!
We picked up another 4–5 inches of snow overnight, because apparently winter heard we were grooming and said, “Add more.” ??
Short grooming day, but here’s what got the fresh treatment:
• Yellow Loop – Skate & Classic
• Green Loop – Classic
• Easy Return – Skate & Classic
Skate deck is soft, so expect that “extra cozy cushion” feel under your skis. ??
As for Tubing & Downhill—we’re not ghosting you. Tentative opening is December 20th, but if conditions let us open earlier, you’ll be the first to know!
Get out and enjoy that new snow! ???????
Kensington Metropark: At least 5" of dense damp slow snow on Kensington Golf Course. Classic skiing is strongly recommended! Me? I tried skating for 45 minutes and it was extremely tough - more a strength workout, even though I tried to ski on a short loop on a single short fairway. Skating is NOT recommended today. Hope Huron Meadows and Kensington groom when the temps drop.
Hickory Hills: Skated the meadows after Evo skiing at Interlochen. Ran into a good friend along with 5 deer on the trail at dusk. Guess they didn't know deer season isn't over yet.
Good skiing in the meadows portion but pretty thin. With the new snow from Saturday night it should be great for Sunday. Go Coach K our Hickory early groomer. Don't forget to sign up for Vasa before prices go up.
Forbush Corner: What a nice start start to the ski season. Over 100 skiers took advantage of light winds, mild temperatures and the first groom of two feet of snow on our east side trail system. Another 5 inches arrived last night! Our south trail, Cry Baby, was cleared yesterday and we can start working on the west side trails this week. Open 9 to 5.
SAT, NOV 29
Interlochen Golf Course: Never skied Interlochen before but got a report from Bryce and Sara so Karen and I went. They skied in a great track and with our Evo's we had a great time. Pretty flat course but fine for early classic skiing.
Valley Spur: We received 4-6" of snow in the last storm. Hopefully more coming tonight and soon after. No grooming yet. Backcountry skiing could be done. Deer hunting's last day is Sunday so be aware.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Has anybody been by HM to see if they are blowing snow yet? Ski hills in the area have been making snow for a few days now.
Michaywe: Lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops have been rolled in order to establish a base. Areas along cart paths and path crossings are a little thin. Best current conditions are the 2 golf course loops.
Interlochen Golf Course: 4" dense, good glide snow. We classic skied with EVOs in tracks made by another skier yesterday.
Interlochen Golf Course is a good close-to-home option for us during firearm season and when snow is thin. Later in the season, a volunteer grooms a classic track here.
Hanson Hills: Nordic and Fat Bike Trails are shaping up! Groomer Dan broke trail on most of the Nordic system yesterday. Blue and green, easy return are combed this morning. Tracks will be set on novice, green , blue, and easy return by 10am.
Fat bike Groomer Mark has made 2 passes and asks that riders to stay patient and allow for the trail to set up.
Xc & Fat Bike: We are not staffed for trail pass sales this weekend (Lodge is Closed) please put donations in the blue donation tube near the rotary pavilion! Help feed our groomers!
Forbush Corner: Opening day has arrived! We have been concentrating on the east side trail system, clearing fallen and leaning trees and packing with the PB. Expect trails to be groomed for skating and classic. I am using my “A” skis today. Hours of operation 9 to 5, Thursday thru Monday.
More trail reports...
