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Kids - the next generation of racers - line up to race the 2026 North American Vasa!

VIDEO: Improve your V2 (aka One Skate)!

12/27/2019 - By Andy Liebner

UPDATED! NEW VIDEO! Andy Liebner gives tips to improve your V2 (or one skate for every pole plant)

Learn to XC Ski in January

12/22/2019 - By Michigan Snowsports Industries Association

During January, ski areas across the state teamed up with Michigan McDonald’s restaurants to offer an affordable introduction to the sport of cross country skiing.

After two races, we have leaders in the Michigan Cup!

12/20/2019 - By Mike Muha

Mariah Frye Colie and Alex Vanias lead the senior standings with two wins each. Branden Morley and Clara Bennet lead the junior standings.

Fischer Reopens Grants Program for 2020

12/18/2019 - By Fischer Skis

The Fischer Grants program, an ongoing outreach program aimed at promoting access and engagement to skiing in the United States focus on youth and underserved ski populations, snowmaking efforts, education and outreach.

Vanias and Colie win Forbush Time Trial

12/16/2019 - By Mike Muha

Well, what difference 24 hours and a change of venue makes! Warm temperatures and tricky trails at Saturday's Lakes of the North Freestyle gave way to a colder race (19F), a little new snow, and smooth as silk grooming for the Forbush Corner Freestyle.

Alex Vanias and Mariah Frye Colie win fast Lakes of the North Freestyle

12/16/2019 - By Mike Muha

UPDATED! Pity those racers with soft skis or poor balance at Saturday's Lakes of the North Freestyle! There was plenty of snow, and the trail was groomed so three skiers could skate side-by-side much of the 7.2km trail, but the snow surface surface...

www.northboundoutfittersmi.com/xc-ski.html

Midwest Nordic Rendezvous: Ski and teach better!

12/15/2019 - By Amy Powell

Learn to ski better or learn to instruct other skiers how to ski better!

What wax to use when?

12/12/2019 - By Ian Harvey

Picking the right wax is more complicated than simply looking at a wax chart. Snow and air temperature, free moisture, and snow crystal type all play a role.

Waxing recommendations for this weekend's MI Cup and JNQ races

12/12/2019 - By Mike Muha

So far, only Toko has posted any recommendations, and the Swix recommendation site is gone! I'll update if other recommendations are released!

WADA bans Russia for 4 years

12/10/2019 - By Mike Muha

Russia has been banned from the Olympics and other competitions for 4 years because of drug testing data manipulations.

Work bees for Noque Trail

12/5/2019 - By NTN Trails

There are four scheduled volunteer events planned starting Friday including two at Forestville and two at Big Bay to deal with all the downed trees across the trails.

ABR makes USA Today 10 Best list

12/2/2019 - By Mike Muha

ABR Trails made USA Today's 10 Best list, the only Michigan resort to do so. Stokely Creek Lodge also made the list.

More News...

UPCOMING

SUN, MAR 1, 2026

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

SAT, MAR 7, 2026

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

SUN, MAR 8, 2026

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)

More events...

www.hammernutrition.com/?utm_source=nsr&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=nsrbanner

LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

SAT, FEB 28

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.

FRI, FEB 27

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.