NordicSkiRacer home page.

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!

More News...

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)

More events...

www.borahteamwear.com/product-category/ski-apparel/

LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

MON, MAR 2

Vasa Trail: I started at the Rock today to avoid the icy sections when starting at the TH. The cognoscenti had the same idea as the little parking lot at the Rock was overflowing at my early afternoon arrival. From the Rock's 12K signpost I skied the course backwards (CCW) taking the Wall-bypass to the 8K signpost, then reversed course back towards TR to the 13K signpost. I saw no ice, just hardpack white snow, and could have gone farther in either direction but was just looking for a 10K skate today. I saw a couple of classic skiers as those tracks were nice and deep.

Nubs Nob: Today , Monday , was a pinnacle day for Nubs Knob Nordic . The groomers have the packed base they have wished for. And they are using it !
The temperature swings this week will provide a late AM sweet spot that should not be missed .

Dunes Golf Club: Poor crust condition
Lower slab of frozen snow is good but upper crust from recent has not fully developed and has large areas of sheet ice which is generally dangerous.
Not recommended for skiing.
Will update if it improves.
Kevinski slowski

Forbush Corner: I’m not sure it gets better than today. Skied classic and it’s perfect

Independance Oaks: Last call for skiing. Did east side of the lake from boat launch to south end. Dense packed snow over ice. Kick and glide only
Pretty as a picture. Blue sky and 25 degrees. Going to be all gone by tomorrow. Until we ski again.

Hanson Hills: Nordic grooming update: PB100 is on the trail setting fresh track and comb on Yellow,brown, blue, green, and easy return.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After more snow-moving last night, Groomer Butch is out snowcombing this morning. It looks like Trappers Cabin, Rolling Hills, Blizzard and Adventure trails will be open, but Tall Pines, Manitou and Wild Turkey will be closed due to thin/bare spots. Use caution on downhills. No fresh tracks, but the skate lanes should still be in pretty good shape for both skate and classic, especially where we have moved snow, so the best tip is to follow the good snow!

Hanson Hills: We will continue Nordic operations and grooming efforts through March 7th (Lodge and Trails Open 9:00am–Lodge Closes at 3:00pm).
Current Trail Conditions
• Overall conditions are fast
• Track set is icy
• Expect firm, spring-like surfaces, especially in the mornings
Grooming Plan – March 2–7
Groomer Dan will be out this morning with the Tidd Tech combing skate lanes on:Yellow, Brown, Blue, Easy Return. This will help refresh the skate deck and improve edge control in the firm conditions.
The PB100 did not want to start this morning. We will need it operational in order to fully tear out and reset the classic track. Maintenance is working on getting it up and running, and once operational, we plan to, tear out the existing icy track and reset fresh track where conditions allow.
We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through spring conditions and equipment challenges. Late-season skiing can be some of the fastest and most fun of the year, just come prepared for firm surfaces.
Thank you for supporting Nordic operations through the final week of grooming.

Forbush Corner: What a busy weekend. We greeted a lot of new skiers discovering Forbush Corner for the first time. Today we will be re-grooming selected trails on the east and west side for skate and classic. All trails are tracked. Open at 9. Trails and buildings close at 5.

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.