Team NordicSkiRacer's Zibgy Zlobicki, Tony Percha, Doug Cornell, and Cyril Grum at Island Lake Recreation Area, testing the new pavement. Conclusion? The section to Kent Lake is a 5; the rest of the repaving is only a 3.
How to prevent snow from sticking to No-Wax Ski Bases
1/26/2024 - By Ian Harvey
Many of the solutions commonly given to avoid this problem while good often don't contain the necessary scope of things to check or address to solve the problem for sure.
FLASH: Noque shortens 50K to 23K!
1/25/2024 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
The 50K has been shortened to a distance of 23K. The 24K has been shortened to a distance of 23K. The 50K and 24K will ski the exact same course (total distance of 23K).
Wax recommendations: Noquemanon Ski Marathon and Hickory Hills JNQ races
1/25/2024 - By Mike Muha
Mixed precipitation in the days leading up to the Noque will transform the snow, and high humidity will result in significant glazing during all races.
Weather forces Noquemanon course changes
1/25/2024 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
Course changes have been made to keep skiers safe and to have a high quality event because of deteriorating conditions for water crossing and expected weather.
Free Junior VASA ski race for ages 5 to 14
1/23/2024 - By Sara Cockrell, Vasa Ski Club Nordic Rocks Coach
This event can be skied in either classic or skate style. Each registered skier will wear a Junior VASA race bib and receive a medal and a goodie bag including a Cherry Republic cookie at the finish.
RESULTS: Wakely and Schlimmer win Boyne Classic 10km
1/22/2024 - By Mike Muha
The Innsbrook Trail at Boyne Mountain has had it's share of victims over the years. The 10K classic race course starts with a long climb that appears deceptively easy...but it's not.
RESULTS: Mandy Paull and Jorden Wakeley win Cote Dame Marie
1/21/2024 - By Mike Muha
It was around 6F at the start of the 2024 Cote Dame Marie at Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling, MI, but the trail was firm and fast...for cold snow
Looking for help with US Biathlon Paralympic skier
1/19/2024 - By Jim Szczygiel
I am looking for one other volunteer who could function as a guide or as a movement analysis and XC technique instructor to join us because, when I am guiding John, I cannot help him improve his technique.
Team NordicSkiRacer takes early lead in the Brumbaugh Cup
1/19/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Team NordicSkiRacer tops the Brumbaugh Cup at the Frosty Freestyle, then extends lead at the Krazy Klassic.
Vasa-Raptors Tuesday race series open to all
1/19/2024 - By Ethan Goss
This is an opportunity for skiers of all abilities in our community to get together for some healthy competition. This event is put on by the Vasa-Raptors team, but everyone is encouraged to participate!
Cote Dame Marie and Boyne Classic wax recommendations!
1/18/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for this weekend's Cote Dame Marie and Boyne Classic Michigan Cup races!
The VASA is all systems go!
1/17/2024 - By North American Vasa
The 48th Annual North American Vasa Festival of Races is on schedule for February 10-11th at Timber Ridge Resort. Many skiers were on the Vasa trail this past weekend and have reported excellent early season ski conditions.
UPCOMING
SAT, DEC 14, 2024
CXC Jr. Cup / Midwest Division - Classic Sprint
Cable, WI - American Birkebeiner Trailhead
PSIA Education Clinic
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733
XC Ski HQ: Free Beginner Ski Lesson*
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
SUN, DEC 15, 2024
CXC Jr. Cup / Midwest Division - Freestyle Individual Start
Cable, WI - American Birkebeiner Trailhead
Forbush Corner Time Trial
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733
SAT, DEC 21, 2024
XC Ski HQ: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
SUN, DEC 22, 2024
XC Ski HQ: George Frye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
SAT, DEC 28, 2024
XC Ski HQ: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
THU, DEC 12
Vasa Trail: Went out for a night ski and conditions are now awesome, way better than earlier in the day. The groomers groomed every single trail (even jack pine!) with a nice corduroy and they said they'll be setting tracks in the morning too! Thanks so much, TART and groomers!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Props to the crew at HM for rolling the golf course. Unfortunately by late afternoon, the wind has blown the light snow and grass is showing through most places.
Vasa Trail: It was a tough morning for my snowblower, with snow getting clogged up despite it being in the teens, but 9-11” deep & 88% humidity, so had to change clothes after shoveling the deck.
I rarely ski from the Bartlett trailhead since I have a Timber Ridge pass, but had an afternoon appt nearby & really enjoyed skiing Headwaters out & back. There were tracks set but some were skied over by skaters since narrow trail. I love the hills, twist & turns, which makes for a fun workout of 4.2 miles & 515 ft elevation change. Stopped at George Kuhn’s bench & passed Mario & Amy for the 3rd time in the past week.
Don’t forget to get your TART grooming badge to support the Vasa, Muncie & Leelanau groomers & equipment maintenance !
Crystal Mountain: We got everything rolled today. Tomorrow i will get everything groomed. Still not enough for a track set.
Vasa Trail: The trails at Timber Ridge were awesome with even a nice classic. Hit the Vasa trail and it had been rolled earlier but there was another 3-4" of soft snow on top to the rolled deck. I skated and it was harder, should have classic skied. No set tracks yet so hopefully tomorrow will be better. Don't forget to signup for vasa race.
Vasa Trail: The trails at Timber Ridge were awesome with even a nice classic. Hit the Vasa trail and it had been rolled earlier but there was another 3-4" of soft snow on top to the rolled deck. I skated and it was harder, should have classic skied. No set tracks yet so hopefully tomorrow will be better. Don't forget to signup for vasa race.
Vasa Trail: Got out this morning and trails were rolled but are still relatively soft due to the fresh snow. It's beautiful out there! Timber ridge is in pretty good shape compared to everything else and they even have tracks set (though in most spots one track is partially buried)! Planning to go out again later today!
Valley Spur: About 24" new snow. All trails groomed and tracked. Expect skate platform to be soft after this heavy snow dump. Cold temps so snow should set up nicely over the next two days.
Michaywe: Received 8-12 inches off fresh snow so far. Packed and rolled entire trail system. Snow is still falling and drifting. Amount of snow we get overnight will determine what we are able to do tomorrow.
Huron Meadows Metropark: On Huron Meadows website 12/12/24:
Huron Meadows Metropark – Park is open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
Classic and Skate Ski Trails – 12/12/2024 – The Ski Center is open. Hawk Hills and Coyote Run have been rolled. There is a trail going from Sunset parking lot to golf course. There are no classic tracks.
Skiers are welcome to use any of the other ski trails if there is enough natural snow. The trails will only be groomed if there is significant snowfall.
Hanson Hills: Winter Storm in full effect!! Groomer Dan is rolling and packing trails this morning. However it is very windy and trails are getting blown in. We are anticipating 6-12 new inches by the time this is over (Friday). We will be grooming and setting tracks tomorrow in preparation for the weekend!!!
Crystal Mountain: Bad news is we lost a lot of snow over the warm spell and rain. Good news is I got 7.5 inches at my house between yesterday and last night. Don't know how much fell at Crystal. It's lake effect snow and we all know that once you pack it it doesn't amount to much. With our snowmobile in for repairs, Greg and I plan on packing/rolling with gators today. Gonna be a cold ride! I'll let you know how it turns out.
WED, DEC 11
Hickory Hills: Hickory meadows was exceptionally good. The snow on the trails held well during the warm spell thanks to Jason and the volunteer groomers. I would not recommend going up the Hill from the parking lot TH going counter clock-wise. It is too thin in that area but everything else has very good snow. I skated on fresh snow and a firm deck but classic skis would have worked as well. Don't forget to get your trail pass, we need to support Nordic Skiing at this venue. For non-racers and touring people don't forget to signup for the Vasa 6k tour on Sunday February 9th. 1st time entry gets 1/2 off and everyone gets a free Petosky pretzel from TC. It is a non competitive event and a chance to go to the Community Celebration Post Party on Saturday February 8th from 4pm - 7pm, don't miss it.
Hickory Hills: Hickory meadows was exceptionally good. The snow on the trails held well during the warm spell thanks to Jason and the volunteer groomers. I would not recommend going up the Hill from the parking lot TH going counter clock-wise. It is too thin in that area but everything else has very good snow. I skated on fresh snow and a firm deck but classic skis would have worked as well. Don't forget to get your trail pass, we need to support Nordic Skiing at this venue. For non-racers and touring people don't forget to signup for the Vasa 6k tour on Sunday February 9th. 1st time entry gets 1/2 off and everyone gets a free Petosky pretzel from TC. It is a non competitive event and a chance to go to the Community Celebration Post Party on Saturday February 8th from 4pm - 7pm, don't miss it.
Interlochen Golf Course: Only a dusting this morning on top of crusty frozen base at IGC. More snow forecast so hoping to ski the Vasa again on Friday.
Vasa Trail: I skied with no wax touring skis from Timber Ridge out to the Vasa (counterclockwise on ungroomed trail) to Jack Pine and back at 9:30. It was beautiful with 1.5 inches of new snow overnight and new snow falling the whole time. T.R. rolled their trails twice while I was out and they were the best skiing today. Thanks Chris! Don't forget to buy your T.R. Winter Passes.
Valley Spur: The groomer is out today, but no report back. Big snowstorm coming today so expect tomorrow to be a battle to pack things. We'll update again when the groomers get the trails back in order.
Hanson Hills: We received about an inch of new snow overnight. Existing base is holding up well and firming up with the colder temps. We are keeping traffic off again today. Great News!! Forecast is calling for 6-12 inches beginning this afternoon through Thursday. We will be packing and grooming again tomorrow morning in preparation for the weekend.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Good morning! We received just over 2 inches of snow last night. With more snowfall in the forecast for today and tonight, the grooming team is going to hold off on grooming today so that more snow can accumulate onto the base. Trails are open, and conditions should be decent with the fresh snowfall! Join us today for lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe!
More trail reports...
