Team NordicSkiRacers Tony Percha, Zbigy Zlobicki, and Cyril Grum: an early morning start to rollerskiing. Photo by Sean Newmister. The NordicSkiRacer calendar has a list of some of the team workouts.
Yellowstone Ski Festival: No snow!
11/15/2023 - By Yellowstone Ski Festival Committee
The 10 day forecast looks bad - less than an inch of snow is forecasted. The Committee is cancelling the Ski Festival Clinics and all races.
FIS Awards Homologation Certification to Hickory Hills
11/13/2023 - By City of Traverse City
Hickory Hills becomes the only homologated cross-country ski course in Michigan’s lower peninsula and joins two other homologated courses in Michigan, both in the Upper Peninsula: Ishpeming and Houghton. There are only 37 homologated courses in the US.
What to do with new or freshly stoneground skis?
11/1/2023 - By Iain Harvey
OK, so you got some new skis or you stoneground some skis... There are three steps you need to make the skis ready for snow.
Roller Ski Clinic with Jordyn Ross
10/31/2023 - By Mariah Frye
UPDATED! It's getting cold in the north woods, time to start your ski season training! Cross Country Ski Headquarters is hosting a Roller Ski Clinic with Jordyn Ross on Saturday, November 11th.
Toko: New Nordic products for this season
10/24/2023 - By Ian Harvey
Toko has a number of new products including High Performance Powders, to be applied on top of a hot waxed and scraped and brushed HP layer.
Toko Brand Overview
10/17/2023 - By Toko
We are innovation driven: first dedicated waxing iron, first fluorinated hydrocarbon glide wax (ie HF, LF), first brand to use molybdenum, first perfluorocarbon in bloc form (Streamline/WetJet/JetStream).
What's new at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters
10/13/2023 - By Mariah Frye Colie
In a busy world, plan simple, authentic winter fun at Cross Country Ski Headquarters!
2023-24 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announced
10/11/2023 - By U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announces the 23 athletes representing the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season.
FIS Fluor ban in effect: Clean your skis and wax tools!
10/11/2023 - By Mike Muha
After passing a ban on fluor waxes in November of 2019, the FIS has finally decided to enforce it during the 2023-2024 season. The delay came from the inability of the FIS to find a way a reliable and cost-effective method to detect fluor on skis.
Coaches form Michigan Junior Nordic Ski Association
10/10/2023 - By Mike Muha
Lower and upper peninsula junior coaches have formed the Michigan Junior Nordic Ski Association (MJNSA) to increase the range of opportunities for athletes in 6th through 12th grade, including camps, races, and other Nordic events throughout the year.
Banff Film Festival in Traverse City on October 12
10/9/2023 - By Judy Vajda
The Banff Film Festival is a world-renowned celebration of outdoor adventure and exploration through the captivating medium of film. Originating in Banff, Canada, this festival has evolved into a global phenomenon.
Skin-Y secret
10/4/2023 - By George Frye
XC SKI HQ Manager and Race Team Member George Frye shares his skin ski breakthrough from the race course last season!
UPCOMING
SAT, DEC 9, 2023
Salomon CXC Cup - Duluth (MN) - Skate Sprint
Spirit Mountain Nordic Center, 8551 Grand Avenue, Duluth, Mn 55808
XCHQ Free Beginner Ski Lesson (Snow permitting)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653, 800-832-2663
CANCELLED! Winterstart: Lakes of the North Freestyle 7.5km
Lakes of the North, 8151 Pineview Drive, Mancelona, MI
XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653, 800-832-2663
SUN, DEC 10, 2023
Salomon CXC Cup - Duluth (MN) - Classic Interval Distance
Spirit Mountain Nordic Center, 8551 Grand Avenue, Duluth, Mn 55808
CANCELLED: MAY BE RESCHEDULED - Forbush Time Trial
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733
SAT, DEC 16, 2023
Salomon CXC Cup - Cable (WI) - Classic Sprint
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, 14875 Mcnaught Rd, Cable, WI 54821
XCHQ Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653, 800-832-2663
SUN, DEC 17, 2023
Salomon CXC Cup - Cable (WI) - Skate Individual Distance
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, 14875 Mcnaught Rd, Cable, WI 54821
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, DEC 8
Forbush Corner: Shop will be closed today and tomorrow. Trails are marginal and available to ski on though. If not a season pass holder, please leave a donation if you wish.
Hanson Hills: Lodge will be open 9am-5pm
Cross Country Trail Report: Best skiing will be this morning while temperatures are cool. Temperatures to reach mid 40’s today.
Hiawatha Highlands: 8am Due to warm temperatures there will be no grooming today. Base depth at Pinder gate is 8cm. Have a good day.
THU, DEC 7
Interlochen Golf Course: Fun, fast GROOMED classic tracks today, with minor melted spots easily skied around. Snow might not survive the upcoming warmup, but still good snow cover here today. There is a grooming fund donation box on the split rail fence.
Hanson Hills: 35 degrees in Grayling at the moment. Forecast is warmer weather and possible rain Friday and Saturday. Trails are skiable with a thin base, although we are not confident that the base will hold up after the weekend. We will definitely keep you posted.
Lodge and Trails Open 9am-5pm
Hiawatha Highlands: Tried to groom today but temperatures too warm. We need snow and colder temperatures. Have a good day.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The trails took a hit with the warm weather last night, so the trails across the street are closed for right now. The practice area still has a good base and is open for skiing. We WILL have a free ski lesson this Saturday, December 9th! And, while the Stone Turtle Cafe is not officially open until December 16th, we will have chili, hot cocoa, and drinks available for purchase in the Cafe this weekend.
Forbush Corner: Open today at 9. Trails are holding up, but slowly melting. No new grooming today.
WED, DEC 6
Unlisted trail: Snow Mountain Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado: great classic tracks and soft skate lanes under bright sun and windless skis. Skies glorious hours. Still early season snow.
Vasa Trail: Got a late start this morning but enticed by the fresh 2” of snow on the Vasa. I met up with Leslie for a tour of the 10k backwards from Timber Ridge to Special K, 10/25 split, Headwaters cut-off & back, with only one avoidable dirt spot under the tree north of the 4 Corners. It wasn’t fast since no tracks, ungroomed & warm, so heavy snow, but lots of fun getting to know Leslie better. Neither of us had planned to ski 6.8 miles (11km) & 560 ft of hills, but may be the last for a few days. Let it snow!
Michaywe: Trails groomed and track set, except Back 9.Skated most of the trails.Very good coverage and classic tracks were mostly clean of dirt and debris
Hanson Hills: Light dusting of snow only helped these lovely trails. As always worst part is the first part. Today I got lured onto red by fresh corduroy. It was lumpy in spots but never scary and fully covered. I used it as a trail day to clear off big sticks in the trail. I missed a section but what I did was great. I also did m 93 hills. Downhills snow covered uphills some avoidable dirt. I would not do it backwards. B skis good. I had too cold of wax. No new logging so whole system is still beautiful
Forbush Corner: We will be open today at 9. The loop and Linda’s Link will be closed due to last night’s round of snowmaking. Ridge, Badlands and the green loop are open. Ridge will be bi-directional today as a link to and from Badlands.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am-5pm. Trail passes required.
Cross Country Trail Report: Skate deck on Blue,Yellow, Brown Easy Return and M-93 trails have been holding up decently. We are thin in a few areas. Wilderness was packed and has intermittent tracks where snow would allow. Tracks were set on the Blue Monday (very thin in many areas)
Downhill &Tubing Operations:
We are making snow when temperatures allow. Tentative opening date is December 22nd.
More trail reports...
