Tony Percha (lead) and Cyril Grum getting in an early morning rollerski at Kensington Metropark on Island Drive. (Yes, besides a nice bike path, Kensington has a couple quieter roads...)
Wax recommendations for Black Mountain
3/4/2010 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations have started rolling in - check back for updates.
Excellent snow coverage for Black Mountain Classic
3/4/2010 - By Denny Paull
Excellent snow coverage remains at Black Mountain and should be expected for the 7th annual Black Mountain Nordic Classic 31 km classic and 10 km freestyle/tour scheduled for this Saturday March 6th.
Sprinting: Slowing Down to Go Fast?
3/4/2010 - By Chris Cook
As the sprint courses have grown in distance and time, not only on an international level but also domestically, controlling your tempo has become more and more crucial to laying down the fastest time of the day.
A look at the new NNN/NIS Xcelerator bindings
3/4/2010 - By Mark Waechter
More than any other single piece of equipment that I've seen for the coming (2010/2011) season, I'm really stoked to see the updated NNN/NIS bindings.
How to apply pure fluro wax to your cross country skis
3/3/2010 - By Frank Lundeen
How to apply pure fluro wax to your cross country skis using the corking method.
Whistler notes
3/3/2010 - By Mark Waechter
The work at Whistler was rewarding on many levels. It was great to join the team from Slovenia again. Equally enjoyable is the opportunity to see the athletes and coaches who have become good friends.
Randall gets another top 20
3/2/2010 - By US Ski Team
Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) wrapped up her 2010 season with yet another top 20 finish, skiing her way to 17th in 10K Freestyle in the final weekend of the FIS Cross Country World Cup.
Michigan Cup Sprint donates $270 to LiveStrong
3/2/2010 - By Mike Muha
Even though it there was a small turnout, the 2010 Michigan Cup Sprints generated $270 in proceeds that were donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Norway wins Cross-Country medals ranking
3/2/2010 - By FIS
Norwegian cross-country team won the Olympic medal ranking. Five Gold medals, two silver and two bronze. Swedish team collected seven with 3-2-2. Third best cross-country nation became Germany with five (1-4-0). In total eleven nations were on the podium.
Yellowstone Rendezvous Race this weeked
3/2/2010 - By Sara Hoovler
TheThe Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is within sight on the calendar. With a bit of luck, a season’s worth of long skis, interval training, and hill climbs will pay off when the boom of the cannon signals the start of the race.
More on abnormal heart rates in cross country skiers
3/2/2010 - By Peter Vackx
The most prevalent racing heart condition, particularly in trained aerobic athletes such as soccer players, basketball players and especially X-country skiers, rowers and speed skaters, is without question atrial fibrillation (AF).
Muffin Race skiers celebrate the warmth
3/1/2010 - By Mike Muha
It was perfect conditions to race in swim suits at the 18th Annual Muffin Race at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI on Sunday February 28, 2010.
UPCOMING
FRI, DEC 12, 2025
XC Ski HQ Ski Team Kick-Off Dinner!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, DEC 13, 2025
Forbush Opener (Freestyle)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, DEC 14, 2025
SAT, DEC 20, 2025
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, DEC 5
Huron Meadows Metropark: Still great as of this (Friday) morning. Hawk hills a little rough some dirt and vegetation showing through in parts- but skiable. Coyote run and contractors in great shape!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am.
Groomer Dan is out combing skate lanes again this morning, and reports that classic tracks are still looking great!
Remember Trail Passes are required, stop in to purchase your daily or season pass.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Butch snowcombed all the trails yesterday, and the skate deck is hard and fast! We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods. We'll finish snowmaking on the field today to be ready for lessons and demos tomorrow.
Forbush Corner: West side, Pines connector (easy and hard) and some of the Pines loop were packed with the PB. All east side trails are groomed with tracks. The pines have been shedding their pine needles here and there due to the gusty winds over the last few days. Good thing we don’t need klister!
THU, DEC 4
Hanson Hills: Fresh classic tracks on the Wilderness Singletrack trail from yesterday were perfect for my afternoon adventure after a visit at Northbound. I could have used my skins but my Evos probably handled the leaves in the tracks near the Lodge better. I had the best glide so far this season, complete trail coverage, and sunshine!!! As I was leaving Grayling, there was a gorgeous full moon rising above the pine trees against a dark blue sky, which would have been a perfect photo!
Pigeon Creek: Conditions ranged from fair to very good, depending up on the leaf cover. The skate deck was in excellent shape with corduroy in most places and no ground showing through. A few spots in the forest had a lot of oak and beech leaves on the skate deck. The open meadow sections on the north side of the road had the best snow conditions and were downright fast.
Vasa Trail: Conditions remain good throughout the trail system with up to 10" in the woods, and a groomed base of several inches. Major improvements today include setting classic track, and installing corduroy on the skate lane. Noticed a handful of thin spots on the 10K, some with gravel appearing, the worst being the usual spot just past the bridge so probably best with some rock skis. Afternoon skiers were treated to skiing in the sun.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Really terrific skating Thursday morning. As reported, golf course was rolled this morning, and it's gorgeous (90% perfect, the rest is grassy). Thank you, Metroparks! From the Metroparks web site:
"Bucks Run is currently closed. Snow is currently being made for Bucks Run and construction will being in the coming weeks. Patrons are free to ski on the trails marked by orange flags on the golf course trails as conditions allow. The golf course and Cedar Trace trails will be rolled this morning December 4, 2025. No additional grooming will take place until we receive additional snow."
Love Creek: Saw this from Tuesday, could only be better after last nights snow:
Winter Trails Report 12-2-25: Things groomed out nicely today for those wanting to get in some early season winter recreation! All trails have been rolled and packed and a track has been set on the green XC ski loop. We are closed today, but will be available for equipment rentals tomorrow from 10am to 3pm. (Fat Bike trail will be soft)
Michaywe: Freshened up skate lanes and reset track on the front nine loop and reset track on the lake loop still receiving some light snow with wind. Open areas are prone to drifting. Conditions are firming up with the colder temperatures.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Fresh groom on coyote, hawk hills and cedar trace(contractors). No tracks. Still some scrub grass.
Best skating so far.
Thanks guys!!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received another inch throughout last night and temps are dropping fast! All trails are open, and Groomer Butch will have all trails snowcombed by early afternoon. The skate deck is setting up nicely, and classic tracks will be coming soon!. We have about 4-6" of packed snow on the trails, and 10-12" in the woods. We started snowmaking on the practice field and are getting ready for a fun weekend.
Forbush Corner: East side trails will get a fresh groom today working in the several inches of new snow received over the last few days. We are working on getting more trails open by the weekend. Open 9 to 5, today thru Monday.
Hanson Hills: Lodge & XC Trail Report
Lodge and trails open at 9am today. Please note the Lodge will close early at 3pm for a private Christmas party, but our offices will remain open until 5pm for interviews, applications, and work-permit signing.
Cross Country Trail Report:
The entire trail system is freshly groomed with set tracks. Dan is out this morning combing the skate lanes with the Tidd Tech, keeping things smooth and fast. He also managed to set fresh tracks on Wilderness yesterday—perfect timing for anyone looking for a classic adventure.
See you on the snow!
WED, DEC 3
Independance Oaks: Actually somewhat skiable. They rolled around the lake and some of the other trails a few days ago. Some foot traffic has beaten it down a little. A lot of oak leaves and twigs. And they groom ON the bike path, and it's pretty thin, so if you fall, know that you're landing on pavement. But it's a good sign that they tried to so something with what little snow they had. No tracks set.
Dunes Golf Club: Wanted to do an easy Evo classic ski but did not realize how much snow Empire got the other day. Over a foot of snow I had to break trail while Karen skied behind. Took and hour to go 9 holes and then turned around and enjoyed the trail we groomed. A winter wonderland out there. Kevin Slow Skis was not there but Ken even Slower skier was. Don't forget to sign up for 50 year Vasa. Great long sleeve T shirts free to every participant.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Classic skied cedar trace (loop behind bucks run) . Shallow tracks present more or less. Glide was fast, good grip too but I double poled mostly. Clean snow apart from some dried leaves on a stretch. I used good skis, glide wax was extra cold blue followed by red.
Crystal Mountain: I groomed everything today and got a good trackset. I did not track the hills. Be patient with us learning how to work the new gator. I made some wind rows in spots and had a hard time turning due to the wet dense snow. Good coverage but i would still use rock skis.
Vasa Trail: Entire trail system was rolled, including the Riley connector from the Vasa Single Track parking lot on Supply Road. 10" in the woods, trail is fully covered, no set tracks yet. Early winter conditions
Hanson Hills: I forgot to mention that new tracks were set on wilderness trail, my favorite classic track that is groomed and no hikers or dogs. A treat for a small classic only trail.
Hanson Hills: Silky smooth snow greeted me today as I skated the brown, yellow and blue trails. I was using my good skis, only a few dirty spots to avoid. More oak leaves than yesterday but not overwhelming. It was windy with baby snow. Still getting my ski legs back but a great morning on snow.
Milham Park Golf Course: skate lane groomed today, thin in spots and a little soft but overall nice for this time of year. Be on the lookout for a couple thin spots and one or two damp spots but otherwise very skiable. We would ask no skating at 30 degrees or more for now. Once we get a solid thick base we can reconsider.
Huron Meadows Metropark: The conditions at Huron Meadows are still pretty decent, although there is more stubble coming through on some sections of the north and south golf course areas. as of 10:00 am it had not been rolled again and there were no classic tracks set, but it was still very skiable. Recommend using your B skis.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open at 9am. Stop into the Lodge to purchase your Trail Pass or Season Membership and start your day on beautifully prepared terrain.
Trail Report:
Groomer Dan is rolling and packing Wilderness first thing this morning. Then will Tidd Tech Comb skate lanes on Blue, Brown, Yellow, M-93. Tracks are set on Everything (with the exception of Wilderness)
More trail reports...
