New man-made snow was added to Buck's Run this morning (Jan 5) making for softer conditions.
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!
Michigan Cup Committe drops Noquemanon
9/18/2023 - By Mike Muha
The Michigan Cup Committee The Michigan Cup Committee voted unanimously to drop the Noquemanon Ski Marathon from the Michigan Cup series.
Forbush Corner extends Crybaby, reroutes Pines connector trail
8/17/2023 - By Forbush Corner
We have increased Crybaby to 3.2 km from 2.6km and completed part of the Pines connector re-route to get it off of the shared seasonal roads with the snowmobiles. Photos of how we create ski trails!
Andy's last rollerski clinic of summer, July 29
7/17/2023 - By Andy Liebner
This clinic we'll meet at the Windfall parking lot in Kensington Metropark (Milford, Michigan) and roll along the less-used bike path which heads northeast of the majority of the park.
Clinics for rollerskiers and non-rollerskiers, July 1-2
6/22/2023 - By Andy Liebner
I'm having another ski clinic - with sections for both rollerskiers and non-rollerskiers - and a rollerski time trial. We'll meet at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan.
AHC raising money to pay off loan for Stokely Creek trail purchase
6/8/2023 - By Dave Fanslow
Algoma Highlands Conservancy recently purchased the land required to re-open the Hakon Lien Trail at Stokely Creek Lodge. But now the AHC needs to pay off the loans required to make this important purchase.
Andy Liebner and Dejan Krsmanovic host rollerski clinic and demos in Roscommon
6/7/2023 - By Andy Liebner
There will be a special guest! Olympic coach and former World Cup biathlete from Serbia, Dejan Krsmanovic, will be join me in running the clinic this Saturday, June 10.
Andy Liebner rollerski clinics, June 3 and 4
5/22/2023 - By Andy Liebner
I'll be back in Michigan for the month of June and plan on holding a rollerski clinic right away at our usual spot at Kensington Metropark in the Martindale Beach Splash & Blast parking lot.
Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season
5/12/2023 - By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
This past season was an important one for USA cross country ski racing, with the men moving up to sixth in the Nation’s Cup standings and earning the maximum World Cup quota for the first time in our history
UPCOMING
THU, JAN 8, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Mass Start Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
FRI, JAN 9, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Classic
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
SAT, JAN 10, 2026
Vasa Raptor Rush Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SISU Ski Fest
ABR Trails, E5299 West Pioneer Road, Ironwood, MI 49938
“Pure Michigan” Winter Trails Day with the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Frosty Freestyle 5K/15K
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)
SUN, JAN 11, 2026
Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Frosty Fest! Krazy Klassic 7K/12K
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Golden Years Ski School!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
MON, JAN 12, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
TUE, JAN 13, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
WED, JAN 14, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
THU, JAN 15, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
FRI, JAN 16, 2026
Silver Streak Week (Jan 12-16)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, JAN 17, 2026
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Cote Dame Marie Ski Loppet
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, Michigan 49738 (989-348-9266)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 18, 2026
CCSC Flying Squirrel Nordic Race
Crystal Mountain, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, Michigan, United States
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Nub's Nob Classic 5k and 12k
Nub's Nob, 500 Nub’s Nob Road, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
MON, JAN 19, 2026
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Bavarian Ski Festival
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
TUE, JAN 20, 2026
Citizen’s Night Ski Race Series
Main MTU Trailhead, Michigan Tech Trails, Houghton, Michigan
WED, JAN 21, 2026
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, JAN 7
Hanson Hills: Rain yesterday and above-freezing temperatures have left the snow surface too soft for grooming. Using the trails under these conditions would rut the surface and damage the base, so the trail system is closed today to preserve conditions.
We’ll be back at it once the trail system freezes back up and conditions allow.
TUE, JAN 6
Hickory Hills: There was a light rain this afternoon combined with above freezing temperatures this left wet snow conditions . On the Hills side, Pisten Bully groomed man made snow left a firm icy corduroy surface for skating this afternoon. There were no classic tracks set on the hills side. Hickory Meadows had been groomed with the snow mobile leaving a somewhat firm wet snow in the skating lane. The upper meadows area had Classic tracks set.
Stokely Creek: Thick base was mostly still skiing like new snow today. Mild temps but staying frozen. Tracks were deep and firm from Monday's complete system groom. Wednesday should still be excellent for a big ski if you're within day trip range. Then a couple of rest days!
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: All of our trails were groomed yesterday by Brian. They came out great!
Michaywe: Rolled and groomed the skate deck on maple ridge. Was able to clean up and set track on the areas of the lake loop that did not get done yesterday.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Tuesday!! It's a calm, foggy morning up here, and warming up today....currently sitting at -3.
The groomer is currently out on the Pinder system, using the ginzu, freshening things up. Any further grooming updates will be posted, please check back.
Have a great day everybody! :)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Trails will be soft and mushy this morning, and we will be closing the trails at noon to preserve the base for the coming warm up. Wintery mix leading to rain this evening. No grooming.
Hanson Hills: Due to warm temperatures and forecasted freezing rain, grooming operations will be suspended for the day. Operating equipment under these conditions would risk damage to the snow surface and underlying base.
To preserve trail integrity, the trail system will be closed today. This proactive closure helps prevent rutting and glazing and allows the base to firm up once colder temperatures return.
Outlook: The forecast remains unfavorable through the remainder of the week, limiting our ability to resume grooming. Conditions will be assessed daily, and trails will reopen as soon as weather and surface conditions allow.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to protect the long-term quality of the trail system.
MON, JAN 5
Forbush Corner: UPDATE!! We are delaying our opening to 1000. Received about 6 inches of snow and travel is slow.
Vasa Trail: Soft n slow. But tons of snow and full coverage. Can use your A skis. Love having Riley’s Trail groomed. Hopefully they use Dusty the Piston Bully soon! Would be great to see what it can do with all that snow in the woods.
Nubs Nob: All loops are far better than they need to be for Wonderful Skiing !
Huron Meadows Metropark: New snow! Yay! Thank you groomers for making the tough decision to put down snow well in advance of the races this coming weekend’s. It’s a tough balancing act.
Tracks are deep and the dirt from yesterday is buried under the new snow. But new snow means soft snow and with the warm up tonight and rain tomorrow that means that how we leave Bucks Run today is how it will be tomorrow.
Michaywe: Rolled, combed and set track on both golf course loops, herringbone, and the river trail. The lake loop has been mostly rolled and combed, with track set on the north side of the lake loop.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 4? more inches of snow last night, and groomer Mike is out rolling and packing the trails presently. We plan to groom afterwards, providing the snow is not too sticky!
Huron Meadows Metropark: I've heard from good authority that Huron Meadows is putting more snow down on Buck's Run this morning.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Monday Morning Lovers of Everything Snow!!! It's a beautiful calm morning up here, and once again we had quite a snowfall overnight.
The groomer is currently out on the trails (he waited for the snow to finish falling) -- he just got off the Pinder system (9 a.m.), the Red Pine system is next, followed by the 2k Lighted and then the Crystal system. All systems are Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate.
It's an absolutely beautiful day up here! The trails are looking fantastic....so come on up and get your ski on :)
Forbush Corner: UPDATE!! We are delaying our opening to 1000. Received about 6 inches of snow and travel is slow.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am
Mother Nature hit the reset button overnight. We picked up about 4 inches of light, workable snow, and it’s grooming out beautifully this morning.
Groomer Dan is on the system early with the PB 100, packing the new snow and laying fresh corduroy on:
• Yellow
• Brown
• Blue
• Green
• Easy Return
Skate lanes are being packed and combed now, with classic tracks scheduled to be reset later this morning once the base firms up.
Forbush Corner: From a Forbush regular yesterday, “I thought conditions didn’t get much better than this yesterday, but today they are even “ gooder” ! I couldn’t agree more. Overnight snow has moved on, leaving several inches. Fresh groom today on the more popular east side trails. We are back to our normal schedule. Open 9 to 5 Thursday thru Monday.
More trail reports...
