New man-made snow was added to Buck's Run this morning (Jan 5) making for softer conditions.
Nordic Glide Wax Box - A Recommendation of all that you need and nothing more
12/1/2020 - By Ian Harvy
Holiday shopping? Here is all that you need for glide waxes and tools and nothing more. This recommendation is for the passionate skier, fitness skier, or fluorine free racer.
Lakes of the North Freestyle cancelled
11/30/2020 - By Mike Muha
Unfortunately the Dec. 12th Lakes of the North Freestyle race has been cancelled. Not knowing if the health order would be extended after Dec 8th and the need to purchase materials prior to that date are the main decision drivers.
Headquarters goes eco with EV chargers, LED lights, carbon offsets
11/24/2020 - By XCHQ
Owners of EV's have the option to charge up while they go for a ski, eat lunch, or demo skis! We also installed solar-powered LED lights on the Trapper's Cabin trail.
Noquemanon Ski Marathon to spread over three days
11/23/2020 - By Mike Muha
Both the Full Noque and the Half Noque races will be run across three day, January 22-24, 2021.
FIS recommendations on cleaning out that fluoro!
11/23/2020 - By Ian Harvey
We realize that the FIS fluorine ban has been postponed for a year, but there are many who will be entering a fluorine free racing year that will want to consider taking these steps.
Hiawatha Highlands provides COVID-19 guidance
11/20/2020 - By Mike Muha
As one of the first "local" trail systems to open, its maybe useful to look at some of the COVID preparations Hiawatha has put in place for the season.
New Toko Glove models for this winter...and color options!
11/20/2020 - By Ian Harvey
Toko has two new cold weather glove models this year. Think about those cold years for the White Pine Stampede and North American Vasa...
Toko waxing and tuning kits on sales
11/18/2020 - By Ian Harvey
All hot waxing kits come with a high quality Cordura bag that can serve as a wax kit for years. Take advantage of these deals!
10km NordicSkiRacer Time Trial gets skiers ready for the race season
11/15/2020 - By Mike Muha
We couldn't have asked for better weather. Although it was below freezing, the bright sun and no wind made it feel much warmer.
2020-21 Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announced
11/10/2020 - By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced the 23 athletes of the Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2020-21 season who will kick off competition with the traditional World Cup season opener in Ruka, Finland, Nov. 27-29.
NordicSkiRacer 10km Rollerski Invitational on Saturday, Nov 14
11/8/2020 - By Mike Muha
It's only four weeks until the first Michigan Cup race of the season - how are you feeling about your training? Test it out at the NordicSkiRacer 10km Rollerski Time Trail at Kensington Metropark.
Visma Ski Classics delays season start because of COVID-19
11/6/2020 - By Visma Ski Classics
With increasing cases of Covid-19 infections in Italy and most European countries during the last couple of weeks, Visma Ski Classics has decided to postpone the start of Season XI. The start is now planned to mid-January.
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...
