Linda Weeks-Kaleita (45) heading toward the end of a lap with a couple finishers in Saturday's Frosty Freestyle just behind her (35 - Jared Roberts and 42 - Bob Triebold. Photo - Mike Muha). Skate conditions were excellent!
USS&S nominates cross country ski team roster for 2022 Olympic Winter Game
1/21/2022 - By US Ski and Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today its nominations for the U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team to represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 from February 4-19, 2022.
Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop move to first in Brumbaugh Cup
1/21/2022 - By Mike Muha
With the Cote Dame Marie behind us, Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop moved into first place, dropping Team NordicSkiRacer into second. The Vasa Ski Club displaced the Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team to take over third.
Wax recommendations for the Noquemanon and Flying Squirrel
1/20/2022 - By Mike Muha
Going to be a colder weekend for Noquemanon Ski Marathon and the Flying Squirrel Freestyle Junior Race!
CCSA teams standardize on Toko glide waxes for season
1/20/2022 - By CCSA
The Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) standardized wax protocol began on January 17th, 2022 in alignment with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard fluorocarbon wax ban for the remainder of the 2021-22 ski season.
Vasa junior team sprint results
1/19/2022 - By Amy Powell
The Vasa Junior team spends Tuesday night racing sprints. Here are the results and a little description of the last two Vasa Tuesday Night Sprints events.
Noquemanon Ski Marathon cancels awards ceremony
1/19/2022 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
While we do believe we can hold the Noquemanon Ski Marathon safely (as other events have proven) we have decided it is in the best interest of all participants that we cancel the awards ceremony to further reduce the opportunities to gather in close proxi
Kids ski program returns to Huron Meadows on Wed, Jan 19
1/16/2022 - By Mike Muha
After missing a year because of COVID-19, the four-night ski program for kids to learn to ski returns to Huron Meadows Metropark in Brighton, MI.
Sten Fjeldheim interview with Toko's Ian Harvey
1/16/2022 - By Iain Harvey
Sten is a true legend. His athletes and community revere him not only for amazing achievement but also for the profound change he has made in them.
Team NordicSkiRacer jumps to lead in Brumbaugh Cup
1/16/2022 - By Kyle Hanson
After four races, Team NordicSki gains the lead in the Brumbaug Cup, followed by Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop and the Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team. Vasa Ski Club dropped from first to fourth.
RESULTS: Jorden Wakeley and Jordyn Ross win a cold Cote Dame Marie
1/15/2022 - By Mike Muha
Me: Did you guys survive the cold? Charles: Barely. Doug: The cold was bone chilling, but I survived. Allen: My fingers came back by 8 km in.
White Pine Stampede 50k shortened to 30k
1/14/2022 - By Ben Tarbutton
This year, the White Pine Stampede will still offer distances of 10k, 20k, and 30k. The 50k course was the biggest change with new property owners and therefore will be reduced to a 30k.
Michigan Cup individual standings through the first four races
1/14/2022 - By Mike Muha
Ken Dawson, Points Keeper for the Michigan Cup, has released the current individual standings in the Michigan Cup through the Frosty Fest weelend.
UPCOMING
FRI, JAN 21, 2022
Junior Noque
Marquette, MI
SAT, JAN 22, 2022
Noquemanon Ski Marathon
Marquette, MI
XCHQ Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653
Bavarian Ski Festival
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653
SUN, JAN 23, 2022
Flying Squirrel Freestyle Junior Race
Crystal Mountain, 2500 Crystal Mountain Dr., Thompsonville, Michigan 49683
TUE, JAN 25, 2022
Hard ski workout at Huron Meadows
Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, MI
WED, JAN 26, 2022
Kids ski program at Huron Meadows Metropark, Clinic 2
Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, MI
SAT, JAN 29, 2022
Black Mountain 31K Classic and 10km Tour
Rippling Rapids Golf Course, 4849 North Black River Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
XCHQ Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653
Winter Feast
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653
SUN, JAN 30, 2022
Black Mountain 10km Freestyle
Bluffs Bar and Grill, 10905 High Bluffs Drive, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Junior Nordic Rally
Nub's Nob, 500 Nub’s Nob Rd, Harbor Springs, Michigan
Learn to Skate Ski Clinic
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653
TUE, FEB 1, 2022
Hard ski workout at Huron Meadows
Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, MI
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, JAN 21
Huron Meadows Metropark: Awesome conditions today for both skate and classic. Fast and controllable. The dirt spots have been covered with fresh snow. Conditions are excellent. Only gripe is that the classic track on the connector is very shallow. Really, only there in spirit. Any kick wax with the word blue in it will work great. Totally clear skies and no wind. When was the last time we had that at Huron Meadows? Perfect conditions to ski your virtual Noque, you could kick it out in no time.
Corsair Ski Trails: Snowfalls have been scarce the past few weeks. There's five inches of snow in the forest. We've been packing and setting a single track on one side, conserving the 3" of packed snow in the other lane. It's not the perfect winter, but there's enjoyable skiing on the trails.
Valley Spur: Great classic skiing, beautiful.
Forbush Corner: Perfect conditions for skating today! Blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Skied all the trails. The classic tracks are deep. World class grooming.
Hanson Hills: Groomer Jason is tending to the skate lanes this morning. Green, Blue, Brown, Yellow, Red are all looking good. Decent tracks on Yellow and Wilderness.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received more snow yesterday, and there is more in the forecast. Groomer Butch is snow-combing the skating lanes this morning, and set fresh tracks on the Trapper's Cabin trail, where we have laid down man-made snow. The rest of the system needs a bit more snow to reset tracks, however they're still in good condition, and the fresh snow helps tremendously! Conditions overall are great for skating and very good for classic skiing. Join us for tons of fun this weekend, with Bavarian Ski Festival and a FREE ski lesson!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Due to trail maintenance Bucks Run will be open at 2 pm today, January 21. It will be groomed for skate and classic skiing. No other trails are open at this time. Please remember that ski rentals are available online at www.metroparks.com.
Forbush Corner: Friday January 21. West side trails and snow making loop getting a fresh groom this morning. Some thin spots and small patches of dirt here and there and Freeway trail will have the least coverage since it is out in the open and wind blown. Firm classic tracks throughout. More snow is in the forecast !
Crystal Mountain: Once again we missed the snow they promised us. We only got dusting the last couple of days but it was enough for Tim F. to scratch out the skating lanes and reset some of the tracks on loons. He spent most of yesterday shoveling snow over the bare spots. All in all the trails are in pretty good shape considering the low snow and Tim's hard work. There is some trail trash i.e. pine cones, twigs and leaves from all the wind so i would still recommend rock skis.
THU, JAN 20
Vasa Trail: After my last 3rd grade Nordic Rocks PE classes at Silver Lake Elementary, I had just enough time to ski my favorite counterclockwise loop from Timber Ridge to The Rock to the 10k split, up the 6k hill to Special K, then down to the valley & back up to TR at dusk. The lights were on, but only 3 other cars. What a shame since TR had set corduroy & tracks. Since it snowed more after the TART groom this morning, there was 1-2+" of snow on the trail, but only skied-in tracks, except on my return on the 25k to TR. I'm certain TART will set tracks once more snow but still only a minimal base (approx 7" in the woods on the 25 k). The snow was silky but not an easy ski since the 10k was flattened & slippery at 10F, but what an improvement with some fresh snow & groom, esp since no dirt, tree debris or leaves! Only 2 other classic skiers & 2 skate skiers had skied from The Rock to the Wall Bypass in the fresh snow, so not much use this afternoon. LET IT SNOW!
Hickory Hills: Hickory Meadows - Great evening to ski. Enough lighting from the ski hill and downtown TC that no head lamp is needed. Thin but hard packed base. Complete snow coverage on the entire trail. No bare spots. The hefty dusting of snow last night sure did help. Due to the lack of snow, you can feel all the natural bumps still. Great skiing overall
Hickory Hills: Rodney here, the no respect Hickory Hills that received less snow than most places is absolutely outstanding. Hardly even a thin spot anywhere. The entire system seems like it was groomed by a piston bully. Skied meadows and hills and the snow cover and grooming so good you could really push the downhills on the hills side. Special thanks to Jason who coordinates all the volunteer groomers. "My uncles dying wish was that I would be able to sit on his lap, he died in the electric chair" RD.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks Run in fairly good shape. Connector is very firm and has only a shallow track. In the woods things are better. Decent track,except the one section which leads you off the trail. Skating looked firm with enough snow on top top to be controllable. Couple of dirty patches from stuff dragged in by the spreader. Overall, very nice. Blue hard wax worked very well.
Vasa Trail: Several inches of lake-effect snow overnight followed by a grooming this morning provided the much-needed reset for this season on the Vasa. Results are very good skating, and classic too unless you require set tracks yet to be installed. A 100% improvement over the past week, and more to come.
Valley Spur: Groomed in another 4 inches of fresh snow this morning on all trails. Nice classic track. Skate lanes are a bit soft but more than skiable. Plan on another full groom in the morning with our big Ginzu. Conditions should be excellent. Stop by on your way up and your way back down from the Noque. Best of luck to all racers! Should be a good one
Hanson Hills: 7 degrees today. Brr!! Start green still holding up and perfect wax for the day. There was an inch of new snow lightly groomed in. I did black, blue and 93 hills. There was enough snow for control though not much speed due to temperatures.
Michaywe: Groomed out skate lanes and set track on the lake loop and both golf course loops. Skating lanes are very firm and track is in pretty good shape on most of the golf course loops, just a few thin spots.
Forbush Corner: Thursday January 20,. We received 3 inches of new snow which will greatly improve trail conditions. All of east side will be groomed today. West side will be groomed tomorrow. Open 9-5
Huron Meadows Metropark: Due to trail maintenance Bucks Run will be open at 2 pm today, January 20. It will be groomed for skate and classic skiing. No other trails are open at this time. Please remember that ski rentals are available online at www.metroparks.com.
WED, JAN 19
Lake Ann Pathway: Love the river, ponds & lake at Lake Ann Pathway, so hiked solo instead of skiing, but would have been ok since trail mostly flattened, not icy, if you used backcountry skis. Probably has more base than the Vasa, measured 7", but of course, hasn't been packed or groomed. The foot traffic has stayed mostly to the sides & no big footprints in the middle of the trail, but the path is narrow & has several step hills!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Skated around 3pm, just before it started freezing. The connector was already very firm. The Buck run was pretty firm in many places. A fair amount of leaves and small debris got blown over onto the track in some spots.
Michaywe: Groomed out skate lanes and set track on the lake loop, herringbone, nordic trail, river trail, and maple ridge. All areas are in pretty good shape, best snow conditions are on nordic and maple ridge right now.
Hanson Hills: Cross Country Trail Report: about 1 inch of new snow on the trails this morning. Tommy G. is setting some fresh tracks and combing skate lanes Today.
Lodge and Trails open at 9am
(FREE Learn to XC lesson is canceled for this Saturday)
Hanson Hills: Cross Country Trail Report: about 1 inch of new snow on the trails this morning. Tommy G. I put setting some fresh tracks and combing skate lanes Friday. Lodge and Trails open at 9am
(FREE Learn to XC lesson is canceled for this Saturday)
Huron Meadows Metropark: Unfortunately staff may not know until the morning of the current day if they are spending snow due to staffing levels, weather or equipment. When we have Natural snow the trails except Buck's Run open at 7am. Buck's Run opens at the same time as the building hours of operation. Monday through Friday 2pm-7pm, Saturday 9am-7pm and Sunday 9am-2pm.
Hope this helps
More trail reports...
