Kids - the next generation of racers - line up to race the 2026 North American Vasa!
Well, that was one epic race for the books. Hardest conditions I've had in years, soft snow, falling snow then ice pellets then fog so thick I could see nothing...
After three races, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters has a big lead in the competition, with 184 points. Last year's Brumbaugh Cup winner, Team NordicSkiRacer, is far behind in second place with 389 points.
The Rossignol Group officially launches its RESPECT program, aiming in particular to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030 as well as to reduce its waste by 40% by 2025.
UPDATED: Toko and now Rex wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup race!
Former Michigan Cup racer Sarah Goble has made the U23 (under 23) World Championship Team and will represent the United States at the U23 Cross-Country World Ski Championships on February 28 - March 8 in Oberwiesenthal, Germany.
It was wet, it was wild, and it was just an event. It was epic. It was a little slow out there. There was three inches of standing water in a lot of places. It kind of slowed down the race but we finished. It was good. It was amazing we held it.
This weekend's races are competing for the most challenging weather award! Huron Meadows expects to have a skiable trail regardless of the weather.
Our goal is to give young skiers an opportunity to cross country ski with their peers, advance their skiing skills and have FUN. Skiers of all abilities are welcome to join and learn a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
This is from an ancient Friends of Valley Spur News (we're talking about 2001!) that I ran across, but I found Larry Treul's interview with David Worel interesting and thought I'd share
It has been cold lately where I have been, so I have been testing cold waxes. The performance of Base Performance Liquid Paraffin has totally surprised me to the point where it is now my new favorite glide wax.
The competition begins today, Thursday (Jan. 2) with the Freestyle Sprint. This marks the fifth time Michigan Tech has hosted a U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships event.
UPDATED! NEW VIDEO! Andy Liebner gives tips to improve your V2 (or two skates for every pole plant).
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Mixed Relay
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 12km Freestyle
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
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)
Great Bear Chase
Calumet, MI 49913
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Spring forward!
Michigan Cup Relays at XC Ski HQ
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - 7.5/5K Freestyle Interval Start
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - Classic Sprint
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - 14.6/11.3/8K Classic Mass Start
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships - 4-Person Mixed Gender Freestyle Relay
American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, WI
Forbush Corner: Posting today for tomorrow March 1st. The whole system was groomed this morning. Conditions were pretty good, skate deck fast and held up to the heavy traffic, especially on the 240 loop. Tracks were deep and fast, accumulating some debris in the wooded area. We will be re- grooming the east, west and pines loop once again tomorrow morning to take advantage of the snow we still have. Open at 9. Trails and buildings close at 5.
Vasa Trail: A thaw on Friday and cool temps on Saturday with a Saturday morning grooming produced medium to good conditions. Fine and fast for skating; dicey for beginners. Seven inch base with 1/2 inch of corduroy and softer snow on top. Icy patches near parking lot and bridge but good snow elsewhere. No gravel showing and just a bit of forest debris (needles and twigs). I am glad I made the drive from Grand Rapids for a last ski outing.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Saturday 9:30am surprisingly firm for skate after yesterday’s 57°. Starting to soften up my last few laps. Very firm block ice along north/south section along driving range. Classic tracks looked good in most sections. Hope it makes it until next weekend.
Vasa Trail: Skied Bunker Hill trailhead to Headwaters to Timber Ridge, then to Special K and then back via the 10K. Skiing was fast. Snow conditions were really nice except for the section from the Ledge to the bridge. This section was icy with some portions almost boilerplate ice. The rest of the trail was well groomed with soft snow. It was great skiing!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After the warm temps yesterday, a lot of sections in the trail network are pretty glazed over. There is still full coverage, but many very hard areas. Grooming Mike is out chewing things up and trying to soften up the ice. Use caution at the trailhead. Once you get about 100 yards out onto the main vein, the ice does turn into hard packed snow, which should actually groom up ok. We recommend walking your skis out onto the trails until there is snow instead of ice. The tracks will be too glazed over, so classic skiing down on the skate lanes is recommended. The Trappers Cabin trail will be the first one we try to chew up and make skiable, followed slowly by the rest of the trails. The practice field is in good shape for demos and lessons, and the sun is coming out! Time to 'make the most of it'!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan will be out cleaning up skate lanes on the entire trail system. Tracks are set on RED, YELLOW, BROWN, BLUE, GREEN, M-93 and Easy Return.
Forbush Corner: Posting early for tomorrow, Feb 28th. Well, that was a warm one today. However cold temps are returning and normal winter conditions will be returning the next few days. Some melting but trails are in great shape. Pines loop and east side trails will get the fresh groom for skate and classic. All trails are tracked. Open at 9. Gates close at 5. Worth the drive.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Friday Morning!! It's a perfectly gorgeous morning up here, sun is shining, wind is mild and temperature is perfect.....currently at -5 C.
The groomer is currently out -- the Pinder system and the 2k Lighted have been Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate. He is currently on the Crystal system, and the Red Pine system will be after that.
Mabel Lake Flats and Hills were groomed as of yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m.
We hope everybody has a fantastic day enjoying this weather :)
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan will be out cleaning up skate lanes on the entire trail system and plans to set track on Wilderness later this morning! Tracks are set on RED, YELLOW, BROWN, BLUE, GREEN, M-93 and Easy Return.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: It's another sunny morning over here! Fresh snowcombing will make skiing in the morning the best. Things will warm up later in the day, softening the trails. Our recommendation is that the most ideal window for both skate and classic will be 9:30 - 12:30.
Huron Meadows Metropark: The classic tracks in Bucks Run were very well defined considering the sunny conditions they have been subjected to. The skate deck was mostly icy with a small portion of mashed potato - I am concerned about what today's warming temps will do. The connector to Buck's Run is at best very thin hardpack - no tracks.
Forbush Corner: West side trails and a few more of the well used trails yesterday on the east side will get the fresh skate and classic groom today. The short warm up today will not hurt the trails much because we have plenty of base. Open at 9. Trails and building close at 5.
West side trails and a few more of the well used trails yesterday on the east side will get the fresh skate and classic groom today. The short warm up today will not hurt the trails much because we have plenty of base. Open at 9. Trails and building close at 5.