Cross Country Ski Headquarters reports that the ice storm took its toll on the ski trail, with downed trees and sticks lodged in the ice. They are working to open a trail. Forbush Corner is still investigating the damage but hopes to have something open this coming Thursday.
The Noquemanon Trail Network is currently taking applications for a Trail Network Ski Operations/Grooming Coordinator and a Trail Hospitality Coordinator.
Have you ever roller-skied before? (Thanks to Joseph Gollinger of Chi-Town Sports for this little gem).
Nice video from Fischer show the use of the Fischer Cross Country Ski Test Board to determine if classic skis are too hard, too soft, or just right, and the ski hard wax and klister wax pockets. Skate ski fitting is also covered,
Kris Freeman and Noah Hoffman plan for two distance sessions planned after a day with hard intensity. Hear their plan and - if you're in shape to do it - try it sometime.
Fast times for our 4 racers tonight in the doublepole time trial. All moved up in the rankings from June. Andrew is the current holder of fastest time, and Cassidy for women.
We always study the results of our skier surveys and attempt to implement changes where possible. Some of the most important changes from last years' race are...
The 2nd Annual Vasa Ski Club Nordic Fest & Ski Swap will run from Friday, Oct 21 through Sunday, Oct 23 and include The first ski race of the season in the U.S.A, a ski swap, a rollerski clinic, shopping, movies, and a party
Prepaid trail passes are now available for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Passes are valid from November 1-30. Order by October 31, 2011 for the best rate.
AccuWeather reports a brutal 2011-2012 weather for the midwest and Great Lakes region. Says AccuWeather Meteorologist Heather Buchman, "La Niña will tend to drive storms through the Midwest and Great Lakes."
Training challenge #2: Toughen up and get down on some L3 skate intervals with the US Ski Team.
A few skiers came with very fast wheels, allowing them to breeze along with little perceived effort. Composite fabrication wizard Yvonne Dufour showed up with custom carbon fiber skis with ultra fast wheels.
A two hour doublepole rollerski with Andy Newell and Skyler Davis.
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 1.5km classic sprint
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 4 x 5km mixed gender club relay
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
Team NSR End-of-Season and Groomer Appreciation Party!
Huron Meadows Metropark Ski Center, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals - 40km freestyle mass start
Craftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT
Citizen’s Night Ski Race Series
Main MTU Trailhead, Michigan Tech Trails, Houghton, Michigan
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We attempted to clear the Rolling Hills trail yesterday, but the falling ice from the trees made it too precarious. We will not be grooming the practice field today or tomorrow due to warmth, but we will try to groom it Sunday morning. Trappers Cabin and Blizzard are still covered in sticks and pine needles, but 'skiable'. Everything else is closed. This will be the case for Saturday as well, and we will reassess Sunday morning.
Forbush Corner: We plan on being open today but the overnight rain and temps above freezing do not bode well for any new grooming. Temperatures go below freezing tonight so we plan on a full system groom for Saturday.
Sleeping Bear Dunes: ***Grooming Update!***
Our amazing Trail Groomer Milan, was out on the Norther Section of the trail this Tuesday, grooming the amazing 3 to 4 feet of powder we received with the recent blizzard. Today's warmer temps are going to make the snow a little slushier.
From Crystal River Trail head to Lawr Farm have been groomed.
Stokely Creek: Wow, one of the best tracks of the season! The last week has stacked a whole second base worth of snow on top of the already above average base.
Hickory Hills: This might be my last ski of the season so I wanted to thank the people at Hickory Hills for the fantastic grooming they have been doing all winter. For a family downhill ski venue, Hickory Hills has done so much for the Nordic skiers that it seems it is more of a Nordic center now than a downhill ski area. The downhill looks like they are closed for the season yet they are grooming with the piston bully on the Nordic trails. Special thanks to coach K who works numerous hours using the sleds to groom the trails. The last couple of days when no one was grooming, John had to spend 6 hrs a day laying a skating lane and setting a track. Saw lots of skiers still taking advantage of the great snow. Gave some instructions to a lovely lady named Margaret who I found out was a professional marathon runner in her youth and competed in the 1988 summer Olympics in South Korea. Amazing the people you meet on the trail.
Forbush Corner: It took a couple of days but we are dug out, and all trails are clear. 100%+ coverage. We plan to be open the next 5 days, Thursday through Monday, 9 to 5. Grooming plan for skate and classic (might change depending on weather): East side trails will be groomed tomorrow. West side Friday, and Pines Loop on Saturday.
Big M: Perfect, but warming tomorrow, thursday
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After a long day's work, the practice field, Blizzard Trail, and Trappers Cabin trail are all skiable. There are some really pleasant sections, as well as area with sawdust, branches embedded in ice, jack pine needle clumps, and some precarious looking trees!
After the chainsaws and tractors went through, we were able to snowcomb a path. Classic skiing on fishscale skis is recommended, as waxable classics and skins may attract unwanted pines needle and sawdust!
We have rentals available for anyone who doesn't want to use their "A" skis. Skating is not recommended, except on the practice field. We will get back out there tomorrow and see if there is anything else that we can open up. Thank you for your patience and you good cheer!
Stokely Creek: I was told there would be Spring Skiing. I'm running out of blue wax.
Unlisted trail: Crawford County
Crust skiing is at optimal levels. The recent ice and snow storm has produced a ski surface throughout the local region that only comes once in a great while.