Avery Ludlow, first in her age class at the Krazy Klassic race. Lots of photos from today race at https://photos.nordicskiracer.com/Michigan-Cup/Frosty-Freestyle-Krazy-Klassic/2026-Krazy-Klassic. Also see Frosty Freestyle photos at https://photos.nordicskiracer.com/Michigan-Cup/Frosty-Freestyle-Krazy-Klassic/2026-Frosty-Freestyle. Photographer: Julie Rascol.
Leelanau State Park adds multi-use ski / fat-tire bike trail
12/16/2017 - By MDNR
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expanding winter recreation opportunities at Leelanau State Park with the addition of a new, marked winter sports trail open to hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and fat tire bikers.
A word from Race Central
12/15/2017 - By Curt Peterson
It is fun to help pull off a nordic ski race. We are so thankful for the total support of Lakes of the North crew. They have been grooming day over day to compact the abundant snowfall.
How to have fast skis this season: The Basics
12/15/2017 - By Ian Harvey
At this time though (preseason), it makes sense to look at ski selection. Here are some conditions and what I would recommend for skating and classic skis.
Fischer tunes Nordic line-up for 2018
12/14/2017 - By Fischer Sports
Fischer introduces 2018 – 2019 product introductions and improvements to both in-track and light touring models, including a new Speedmax Twinskin, a marriage of the dual mohair channel technology with their highest level racing skis.
Full Michigan Cup points for both races this weekend
12/13/2017 - By Mike Muha
Both the Lakes of the North Freestyle and the Forbush Time Trial will both award full Michigan Cup points this weekend.
2018 Michigan Backcountry Ski Series
12/10/2017 - By Mike Muha
Not all the racing in on groomed trails. For a decidedly different adventure, there's the 2018 Michigan Backcountry Ski Series.
Midwest Nordic Rendezvous, Jan 6-7
11/19/2017 - By Amy Powell
Join us for the second annual Midwest Nordic Rendezvous with our guest instructor Emily Lovett from Steamboat Springs, Colorado!
Why would you drag a tire during a rollerski race?
11/10/2017 - By Mike Muha
Race Director Andy Liebner told participants in the Grand Rapids 10k Rollerski Race on Sunday, November 5 that dragging a tire reduces speed and increases safety. I can think of some alternative reasons...
Hanson Hills adds 5km to Wilderness Trail
11/9/2017 - By Justin Andre
We've made a number of changes this season at Hanson Hills for cross country skiers, including adding 5km to our popular Wilderness Trail.
Grand Rapids Rollerski Race, Nov 5...with twist!
10/23/2017 - By Andy Liebner
Coach Andy Liebner of the U.S. Ski Pole Co. is hosting the *Unofficial Freestyle Roller Ski Race Season Prep Challenge* on Sunday. November 5
WSTC announces ski touring trips
10/14/2017 - By Margaret Walter
The Washtenaw Ski Touring Club has announced its trip schedule for the winter of 2017-18. The trip committee has decided to start trip sign-ups at the upcoming Fall potluck on Sunday, October 22nd.
Changes to scoring, new races in 2018 Michigan Cup
9/5/2017 - By Mike Muha
Representatives from each Michigan Cup team meet this past weekend for the annual Michigan Cup Committee meeting, to review last season and to plan out the new cross country ski racing season.
UPCOMING
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)
Team NordicSkiRacer Skating Clinic
Buck's Run, Huron Meadows Metropark, Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
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
FRI, JAN 23, 2026
Junior Noque
Al Quall Recreation Area, Ishpeming, MI
SAT, JAN 24, 2026
Great Lakes Division Junior National Qualifier - Freestyle Individual Start
Ariens Nordic Center, Brillion, WI
Noquemanon Ski Marathon
Ishpeming, MI
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, JAN 25, 2026
Great Lakes Division Junior National Qualifier - Classic Individual Start / Mixed Relay
Ariens Nordic Center, Brillion, WI
Beech Nuts Junior Nordic Race
Nub's Nob, 500 Nub’s Nob Road, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Learn to Skate Ski Clinic
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SUN, JAN 11
Huron Meadows Metropark: Post race skate. Trail was in perfect condition!
Even enough snow to ski from club house to the woods
Vasa Trail: With 6+" of snow overnight I wasn't sure how the skiing was going to be. At my late morning arrival the groomers had just finished up grooming the skate lane and setting fresh classic tracks. I was surprised the skating on fresh soft snow wasn't as slow as I expected. It had a nice silky soft underski feel, and the high moisture content snow must have dissolved the sharp edges off the snowflakes so they weren't cutting into the wax and the glide was great. Hopping in the classic tracks on the downhills revealed that they were nice and solid despite having just been set. After finishing the 10K loop I noticed the parking lot was essentially full, and the late arrivals would be getting some peeks of the sun from blue patches of the sky coming from the north.
Stokely Creek: Where the Bombardier 190 went the trail is excellent! A few tiny wet spot ice hazards after heavy rains last week, but the base is very thick and quickly getting back to primo.
Michaywe: Received 4-6" of fluffy snow since yesterday. Rolled, combed, and set track on the lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops. Base held up pretty well during the warmup. Some of the open areas will be prone to some drifting today.
Boyne Mountain: Back to fantastic winter skiing! Trails are being groomed now. By this afternoon, we should have the lower trails ready, upper trails open up through Vojins, and Vistas rolled as well.
Dunes Golf Club: Yikes! A very nice dump of the white stuff. Repairs are complete with 7" of dry snow throughout the area.
Classic skiing conditions exist.
Fun at your own risk
4 MI east of empire on m-72 (the original m22 bypass.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 3-4 inches of fresh snow last night, and the trails are open! Groomer Mike is out rolling and packing the trails, and Groomer Tony has the practice field looking fresh and gorgeous. After we roll the main network, we should be able to snowcomb early this afternoon. We will hold of on setting fresh tracks, but the skiing should be lovely nonetheless! The trees are covered in snow and we will have a cabin boy at Trappers cabin by 11:30am. Come ski with us!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am
Mother Nature delivered the goods—6 inches of fresh snow has blessed the trail system overnight! Yellow, Brown, Blue, and Green are being packed and tracked this morning. Groomer Dan will continue opening additional trails as conditions allow throughout the day.
Forbush Corner: More snow has arrived and we will put it to good use on our entire system. We are planning a full system groom this morning, including Pines Loop. Tracks will be set on all trails. Skate deck should be as good as it gets. There is still some tree debris, small branches and bark in the wooded areas. Groomers have been removing the larger stuff and some skiers have been helping out flicking sticks. Open 9 to 5.
SAT, JAN 10
Forbush Corner: 31°, no wind at 12 with a fine wet snow falling. Classic skis with purple wax over blue klister slipped so I changed to skate. Good conditions East with skate lane faster than tracks on downhills. 22mph max Dorothy’s Dip. Snow accumulation of 1” obscured corduroy and creaking noise in moist unskied snow in tracks. Snow on my jacket became wet raindrops. By 2pm skating became slow and skied in tracks faster. I switched to Fisher RCR crown classic. I could climb in track all but steepest hills, medium speed in tracks. Falling snow became more intense late afternoon and colder, with at least 2” accumulation at 4pm- 30°. Total 14 miles: 9 skate, 5 classic. At least 3” more heavy, wet, snow fell in Grayling -7pm and whiteout drive to motel. Should be awesome tomorrow!
Elk Rapids Golf Course: With a fresh inch or two of snow by late afternoon on top of yesterday's bare green grass classic skiing was halfway decent with good glide though occasional clumping.
Boyne Mountain: Trails are crusty with a half inch of snow on top. The trail head is icy because it gets so much traffic, but 30 yards into the trail, it is much better.
I classic skied a short loop this morning and double poled in the tracks for most of it.
Dunes Golf Club: The latest slab of settled wet snow set up last night but not enough for safe skating. Under that is a solid base of about 2" with 3-5" of crust on top. New snow falling we will see what happens defiantly improving conditions. A majority of previous snow cover survived!
We welcome this latest winter session.
We (whoever we is) need some basement wax science developer to create a "winter mix" wax...
Happy trails
Still plowed parking
4mi. East of Empire on m-72
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am.
Groomers were out 5am, clearing debris and combing, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, M-93, Easy Return and Novice. Forecast predicts 4-6 inches the next 24hrs. Trail system has 4-5 inches of base that is grooming out nicely. Sticks and bark may be present, as we had a lot of clean up this morning.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The main trail network will be closed today, as conditions are icy and unsafe. We did groom the practice field today, and will host the free lesson at 10:30. We are hopeful that we will get the 4" of forecasted snow later today and tonight and will be able to open the trails again on Sunday.
Forbush Corner: The cooler temperatures will allow us to get the PBs out and grooming again. Larry will start with the east side and swing over to the west side. There is snow coming in later in the day, forecast is for 3 to 6 by tomorrow winds gusting to 30 mph. Our base is still very much intact, fresh tracks will be set. In the wooded areas, so expect some tree litter. Please check Nordic Pulse on our website for latest conditions. Open today through Monday, 9 to 5.
FRI, JAN 9
Huron Meadows Metropark: The Frosty Freestyle race course will not be open until at least 9:00am on Saturday so the groomers have time to do their magic!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: UPDATE: After further inspection of the trails this afternoon, we are making the call to close the trails for tomorrow, Saturday. It is unfortunate, but there is just too much ice out there for conditions to be safe. We are still expecting snow tomorrow afternoon, but we will have to wait to ski on until it can bond with the hard surface underneath. We will attempt to resume grooming Sunday afternoon after the low/wet spots have hardened up and the new snow has had a chance to settle.
Huron Meadows Metropark: The Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic are ON! We just finished course inspection at 10:46am - the course is currently a wide, thick layer of hardpack and ice. Once the Power Tiller runs over it, we'll have a nice surface for racing! Registration ends at 1:00pm today for the Frosty Freestyle and 1:00pm Saturday for the Krazy Klassic.
Hanson Hills: Trail base seems to be holding up well to the weather. We will remain closed again today. Cooler temps in the forecast with snow! Grooming will resume as soon as we can operate without risk of destroying the trail.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Trails will closed again today due to warm weather and precipitation. Around 8pm tonight temps drop back below freezing and will remain so all night. Our hope is to get the grooming team out early tomorrow to start chewing up the crusty trails and snowcombing. Our base was pretty strong to start so we should be in ok shape. Trails will be open tomorrow, but expect crusty conditions in the morning. We are set to receive a bunch of snow starting tomorrow afternoon, and then a good stretch of cold temps into next week!
More trail reports...
