Kids - the next generation of racers - line up to race the 2026 North American Vasa!
Toko Nordic Fixation Options
11/4/2024 - By Ian Harvey
It’s time to think about setting up your ski and snowboard preparation area. Here are our options regarding tables and vises.
Happy 50th, Cross Country Ski Headquaters!
11/1/2024 - By Cross Country Ski Headquaters
Cross Country Ski Headquarters has been a beacon of authentic, outdoor experiences for half a century.
Toko news and musings
10/31/2024 - By Ian Harvey
New logo, US Ski Team visit, Ben Ogden, planned wax clinics for the West Yellowstone Ski Festival, and Team Birkie!
2024-2025 Michigan Cup race calendar
10/17/2024 - By Mike Muha
The schedule is nearly identical as last season's, with twenty-one races. The only change is the loss of the Lakes of the North Freestyle
The Vasa Tradition continues in 2025
10/16/2024 - By Gretchen Carr
We have partnered with Traverse City Parks and Recreation to add a backup site at Hickory Hills which has snow-making ability.
Sten Fjelheim inducted into the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame
9/17/2024 - By Mike Muha
The legendary Sten Fjeldheim will be inducted into the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame on September, 20, 2024. Of the 73 Hall of Famers, Fjeldheim is the first to represent Nordic skiing.
Andy Liebner's Homer Epic 100k ski adventure
9/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
Andy Liebner created a mini-documentary about growing up in Alaska and competing in the 2024 Homer Epic 100k cross country ski race. The 100k route climbed 6,194 feet.
2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Announced
9/13/2024 - By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announced the 27 athletes who have accepted their nominations and have officially been named to the 2024-25 Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team.
Cliff Onthank and Ken Dawson to co-direct North American Vasa
8/8/2024 - By North American Vasa
The North American Vasa Board of Directors is happy to announce that Cliff Onthank and Ken Dawson will share the position of race director.
Superiorland Ski Club has paid positions open
7/25/2024
The Superiorland Ski Club in Marquette, Michigan, is looking for a people to fill the following paid positions for the 2024/2025 season.
Salt Lake City will host 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
7/24/2024 - By Utah and ICO press releases
Salt Lake City, Utah, has been selected to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the fifth time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in the USA and 32 years since Utah last hosted the Olympics.
Help Forbush Corner expand snowmaking! New map!
6/6/2024 - By Todd Hubbard
The cost of the expansion is estimated at $400,000. SMI. With a generous $100,000 donation already pledged, we need your help to raise the remaining funds to have the extension ready for next season!
UPCOMING
SAT, MAR 7, 2026
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
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)
Great Bear Chase
Calumet, MI 49913
SUN, MAR 8, 2026
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Spring forward!
Michigan Cup Relays at XC Ski HQ
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
MON, MAR 9, 2026
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - 7.5/5K Freestyle Interval Start
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
WED, MAR 11, 2026
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - Classic Sprint
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
FRI, MAR 13, 2026
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - 14.6/11.3/8K Classic Mass Start
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
SAT, MAR 14, 2026
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - 4-Person Mixed Gender Freestyle Relay
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SUN, MAR 1
Vasa Trail: I wasn't planning on skiing today with some concern over the trail condition from the recent 50 degree rain, meltdown and hard refreezing, but then I saw the two trail reports filed yesterday, so I decided to ski it with caution. I then enjoyed a late morning fast ski this morning. The expert skaters coming off the trail just as I started both gave it a favorable review, except for Anita's Hill that was reported icy, but no factor for me on the 10K loop. The most dangerous part is the boilerplate ice skating rink of a parking lot at the TH. Once on the 10K loop things did improve after the first K or so that had more than its share of ice. Overall the morning groom by the Pisten Bully did result in fast and fun skiing on the 90% of the trail that still had good corduroy for skating. About 3% of the trail was hard gray ice that provided no control, especially since some of it was on the downhills, such as the first downhill departing from the TH, then both sides of the bridge had gray ice patches, and much of the ledge did too. The other 7% was refrozen hardpack white snow that had not yet converted to ice, and did provide some control if your skis still have sharp enough edges to bite into the hardpack. With the ice and slick hardpack it is not very suitable for novices or infrequent skiers. Only bare spot I saw was a very small one at the edge of the trail. Spring skiing is usually much better starting out by the Rock due to more abundant snow there, and less ski traffic to compact it too much.
Forbush Corner: Fantastic conditions for classic and skate today. Fast classic tracks and firm skate lane. All trails groomed this morning. Great day to be out.
Thanks everyone at Forbush!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Thanks to the valiant efforts of our snow making and grooming teams, the trails are in much better shape today! We moved a bunch of snow around at the trailhead and throughout some of the main network and the corduroy is looking and feeling good! Skiers yesterday reported fun conditions even with the little glaze. We were able to chew up Trappers cabin, Adventure, and Rolling hills, and all three of those trails are in pretty darn good shape. Manitou did not get touched is only recommened to advanced skiers who know how to ski through icy patches. Tall pines is closed, and Wild Turkey has a few bare spots, but other than that we're quite pleased with how the trails look! No tracks, but fresh corduroy and a nice bit of sunshine are making today look pretty darn nice!
Live music in the day lodge today from 1-3pm!
SAT, FEB 28
Nubs Nob: Skating was spectacular. Firm but NOT icy.
Forbush Corner: Posting today for tomorrow March 1st. The whole system was groomed this morning. Conditions were pretty good, skate deck fast and held up to the heavy traffic, especially on the 240 loop. Tracks were deep and fast, accumulating some debris in the wooded area. We will be re- grooming the east, west and pines loop once again tomorrow morning to take advantage of the snow we still have. Open at 9. Trails and buildings close at 5.
Vasa Trail: A thaw on Friday and cool temps on Saturday with a Saturday morning grooming produced medium to good conditions. Fine and fast for skating; dicey for beginners. Seven inch base with 1/2 inch of corduroy and softer snow on top. Icy patches near parking lot and bridge but good snow elsewhere. No gravel showing and just a bit of forest debris (needles and twigs). I am glad I made the drive from Grand Rapids for a last ski outing.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Saturday 9:30am surprisingly firm for skate after yesterday’s 57°. Starting to soften up my last few laps. Very firm block ice along north/south section along driving range. Classic tracks looked good in most sections. Hope it makes it until next weekend.
Vasa Trail: Skied Bunker Hill trailhead to Headwaters to Timber Ridge, then to Special K and then back via the 10K. Skiing was fast. Snow conditions were really nice except for the section from the Ledge to the bridge. This section was icy with some portions almost boilerplate ice. The rest of the trail was well groomed with soft snow. It was great skiing!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After the warm temps yesterday, a lot of sections in the trail network are pretty glazed over. There is still full coverage, but many very hard areas. Grooming Mike is out chewing things up and trying to soften up the ice. Use caution at the trailhead. Once you get about 100 yards out onto the main vein, the ice does turn into hard packed snow, which should actually groom up ok. We recommend walking your skis out onto the trails until there is snow instead of ice. The tracks will be too glazed over, so classic skiing down on the skate lanes is recommended. The Trappers Cabin trail will be the first one we try to chew up and make skiable, followed slowly by the rest of the trails. The practice field is in good shape for demos and lessons, and the sun is coming out! Time to 'make the most of it'!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan will be out cleaning up skate lanes on the entire trail system. Tracks are set on RED, YELLOW, BROWN, BLUE, GREEN, M-93 and Easy Return.
More trail reports...
