New man-made snow was added to Buck's Run this morning (Jan 5) making for softer conditions.
Birkie fees go up on July 31
7/25/2011 - By Mike Muha
The American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet fees go up on July 31. Register now to avoid added costs....
Double pole intervals
7/22/2011 - By Matt Whitcomb
5 x 3 min intervals building from high threshold (L3) to maximum effort on the last effort, 3-4 minute recovery between each. We choose safe roads, and a gradual grade with smooth pavement to ensure high speed.
37 miles of smooth pavement
7/21/2011 - By Mike Muha
The final 11-mile stretch of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail, running from Farwell to Reed City, recently has been resurfaced and will be the focus of a community celebration at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the City of Evart Depot.
Continental Cup launches down-under
7/21/2011 - By FIS
While many people in the Northern Hemisphere are at the beach, the racing season in the Southern Hemisphere is kicking off. The FIS Cross-Country Continental Cup will launch it’s competition season on 23rd-24th July 2011 at Falls Creek, Australia.
Threshold testing on rollerskis and ski walking
7/20/2011 - By Matt Whitcomb
While running hill climb tests of 12-20 minutes are a good way to assess VO2max (high-end) fitness throughout a preparation period and career, a threshold test can be used as a way of seeing work efficiency from stage to stage throughout the entire test.
Agility training for cross country skiers
7/18/2011 - By Matt Whitcomb
The US Ski Team uses rollerski agility speed test to push the athlete outside their comfort zone so that zone can grow that much larger. When that ice patch surprises you in on skis, you're ready for it.
Start Wax & Poles enages Endurance Enterprises and Q-Outdoor
7/15/2011 - By Andrew Gerlach
Startex Oy, owner of the Start wax and pole brands, is launching a two-pronged U.S. marketing, sales and fulfillment program.
Swix moves to larger US digs
7/14/2011 - By Swix
The 65-year-old Swix brand has outgrown its current location in Wilmington, MA and is moving into an updated warehouse facility in Haverhill.
50k Rollerski race proposed for Oct 1, 2011
7/13/2011 - By Denny Paull
The town of Grand Marais, Michigan is contemplating hosting a 50 km freestyle roller ski race on Saturday October 1, 2011.
9 minutes to test your XC ski strength
7/11/2011 - By Mike Muha
This is a fast and easy strength test that takes only nine minutes. Compare yourself to Junior and Senior Standards. Just how strong ARE you? (Video)
87 hours to pick skis
7/7/2011 - By Rick Halling
US distributors of the top ski companies have made it a point to bring over their engineers and race directors from Europe to visit American retailers. The visitors have consistently been blown away by the attention to detail and the obsession with fit.
2018 Winter Olympics awarded to PyeongChang, Republic of Korea
7/6/2011 - By IOC
PyeongChang won in the first round of voting with 63 votes, against Munich (25 votes) and Annecy (7 votes).
UPCOMING
TUE, JAN 6, 2026
US Cross-Country National Championships - Individual Sprint Freestyle
Mt Van Hoevenberg, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946
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
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.
SUN, JAN 4
: Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Heritage Trail, Glen Arbor. Skied from the Dune Climb, thru Glen Haven & DH Day campground to Glen Arbor, round trip, 14k. Last groom had been 12/31, but w/plenty of folks out, there were double skied in classic tracks, and many folks out enjoying the mild temps and plentiful snow. My POV Heritage trails is best for rec. classic (middle deck not compacted, narrow and walked thru most times). Find grooming updates here: https://www.friendsofsleepingbear.org/winter-conditions
Independance Oaks: Lake OK but debris in play. Back loops very sketchy on skate skis. No grooming.
Huron Meadows Metropark: December 31st: “No grooming will occur on Bucks Run on Jan 1st”
January 1st: “Buck’s Run was groomed today”
I travel an hour to ski, so I have to plan ahead, and skipped a great ski day, assuming the information on the 31st was correct.
So frustrating, Huron Meadows.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Great 10km Skate between Bucks Run and Coyote. Bucks was perfect.
Coyote could use a few inches. A few bumps but this is as good as it gets.
Clib house was hopping.
Even the fryer was going for the kids mozzarella sticks.
Tempted to order fries myself.
Loving every bit about what we have available.
Vasa Trail: The TART Groomers had groomed Timber Ridge & set fresh classic tracks on their full groom this morning, so I skied my first 16km loop from TR to Special K, to the 10/25 k split, then clockwise up the powerline hills to The Rock & back to TR. Many skiing friends were out enjoying the mid-20s weather this afternoon & silky snow. We agreed that it may have been the best conditions so far this season! Happy New Year to all!
Vasa Trail: Good conditions greeted me on this Sunday afternoon. The first section off the Bartlett trailhead was well skied but an ill snowy. Things just got better the farther out. Anita’s was lovely a bit thin after the hill but fine. 12 k and headwaters lovely as well. Hope for snow not rain this week!! You could use good skis.
Vasa Trail: Very good conditions prevailed around the 10K loop today with a fresh groom of the skate lane and freshly set classic tracks. Better than average speeds for either persuasion. No thin spots so okay to use your A skis. Assume the conditions are at least as good on the 25K since a morning full groom was also reported for it.
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: Went to Ogemaw Hills yesterday with 4 old friends.
Perfect snow. Almost a foot of base with hard crust but 3” of fresh snow tracked.
The tracker did a great job. Surprising there was that much snow as I live just 45 miles south and only an inch at my place.
The little bit of elevation always seems to produce more snow. Should be fanatastic even with the warm up over the next few days.
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: Went to Ogemaw Hills yesterday with 4 old friends.
Perfect snow. Almost a foot of base with hard crust but 3” of fresh snow tracked.
The tracker did a great job. Surprising there was that much snow as I live just 45 miles south and only an inch at my place.
The little bit of elevation always seems to produce more snow. Should be fanatastic even with the warm up over the next few days.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Great conditions for skating on Bucks Run this morning which looked like it had been groomed this morning. A lot if skiers out enjoying the good conditions. The other trails had been rolled a day or so ago and with about an inch of fresh snow on top and there was enough snow to ski on without breakthrough to the ground below. Great Job Huron Meadows!
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: Went to Ogemaw Hills yesterday with 4 old friends.
Perfect snow. Almost a foot of base with hard crust but 3” of fresh snow tracked.
The tracker did a great job. Surprising there was that much snow as I live just 45 miles south and only an inch at my place.
The little bit of elevation always seems to produce more snow. Should be fanatastic even with the warm up over the next few days.
Ogemaw Hills Pathway: Went to Ogemaw Hills yesterday with 4 old friends.
Perfect snow. Almost a foot of base with hard crust but 3” of fresh snow tracked.
The tracker did a great job. Surprising there was that much snow as I live just 45 miles south and only an inch at my place.
The little bit of elevation always seems to produce more snow. Should be fanatastic even with the warm up over the next few days.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks Run: groomed for skate and classic. Classic tracks starting to pull in dirt and shallow at the top of the “hills” and getting washed out. It would be nice if the groomers could throw a little snow in the thin areas, but I understand they need to consider the needs for this coming weekend’s races. Thanks for keeping Bucks going!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Trails are still in great shape, fresh snowcombing today with track reset where necessary. Take advantage of these excellent winter conditions!
Hanson Hills: Groomer Dan is out cleaning up skate lanes on Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93 Hills, and Novice. He is planning to reset tracks on Wilderness later this morning.
Cote Dame is around the corner, make sure to sign up! https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/CoteDameMarieSkiLoppet
Forbush Corner: We are planning a full system groom for the last weekend day of the Holiday Stretch. Take advantage of the wintry wooded landscape and groomed trails.
Open 9 to 5.
More trail reports...
