UPCOMING

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

SUN, DEC 29, 2024

XC Ski HQ: Joe Frye Live
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

THU, JAN 2, 2025

U.S. National Championships at Kincaid Park - Freestyle Individual Start 10km
Kincaid Park, Anchorage, AK

SAT, JAN 4, 2025

U.S. National Championships at Kincaid Park - Classic Sprint
Kincaid Park, Anchorage, AK

Winter Wolf 2x5k Skiathlon
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, MI

Skate and Classic Ski Clinics with Jordyn Ross
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

SUN, JAN 5, 2025

U.S. National Championships at Kincaid Park - Classic Mass Start 20km (10k for Juniors)
Kincaid Park, Anchorage, AK

PSIA XC Level 1 & 2 exam (On-snow portion of Hybrid PSIA Clinic)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733

MON, JAN 6, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Discover Michigan Cross Country Skiing Program (Jan 6-31)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

TUE, JAN 7, 2025

U.S. National Championships at Kincaid Park - Freestyle Sprint
Kincaid Park, Anchorage, AK

WED, JAN 8, 2025

PSIA XC Level 1 & 2 exam (Virtual portion of Hybrid PSIA Clinic)
Forbush Corner, 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic, MI 49733

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LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

THU, DEC 26

Vasa Trail: The no-name trail report I just submitted was for the Vasa - sorry I forgot to select that before hitting Send.

: The skate lane was still in VG condition during my noon-hour 10K loop. The air was 36F, but fortunately the snow was still below 32F. The only thin spot was the persistent one under the pines just past the bridge, and it is really only a small patch.
The deck is still fairly firm, but each stroke elicited a loud scrunching sound as it compacted under your ski. Resulting in constantly skiing the uphill 1/4" wave your ski created, causing slower skiing requiring more effort than usual a/k/a Great Resistance Training for you racers.
Classic machine-set tracks mostly in VG condition, though there were a handful of a few feet scattered here and there down to bare ground at the bottom of the track, easily avoided.
Snow depth in woods averaging 8" to 10", and skate deck 1" to 2".
The trail is durable enough to last a little bit of rain provided it isn't baked by the sun which isn't forecast.

Interlochen Golf Course: IGC was groomed with classic tracks, so perfect for a short ski near home. I used my fishscales since there was dirt & grass in some of the tracks but enjoyed the glide. There will be fireworks on New Yrs Eve, and it is really fun to ski from a distance.

Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open at 9am.

Groomer Dan is out this morning combing skate deck. Tracks are set on All Trails, Blue, Yellow, Brown, Easy Return, and Wilderness.

Our Snack Bar open's at 11am, stop in for lunch after your ski!! Our Toboggan Chicken wrap is delicious!

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The trails are in great condition for classic and skate skiing. Not enough depth to set classic tracks, but there are some skied-in tracks out there. All trails are open and have been snowcombed. There will be a Cabin Boy at Trapper's Cabin today serving hot cocoa and snacks around the bonfire, and the Stone Turtle Cafe is open! Enjoy this beautiful winter day!

Forbush Corner: Trails have full coverage and an adequate base for a fresh groom today. Probably the last one for a while due to the warming trend. Ridge (snowmaking) is now available and work continues distributing and tilling snow piles on the 240 Loop. Open 9 to 5.

WED, DEC 25

Michaywe: The skiing was fantastic, just as Jamie predicted. Terrific grooming. We are blessed.

Timber Ridge: Skied from Timber Ridge this morn, no track but decent skate deck. The TART/VASA groom from Mon night/Tues morn was still great, with full coverage & good glide in the track. I headed to The Rock, then to the 10/25 split, up & down the 6k hill, crossing Lands Inn, then up the Valley, which was only snowshoed. There was only one bare spot under the tree at the bottom of the hill at the entrance to the Valley, but avoidable. The snow fleas have taken residence in the track already! This was a slight variation from my favorite 16km loop with 738 ft of elevation, and my 17th ski for the season. What a blessing to have had snow early, in spite of the warmups! Tis the skison to be jolly!

Michaywe: We received about 4 inches of new snow yesterday. The Michaywe trails have all been freshly groomed for both classic and skating. The skiing should be fantastic for the next few days!

Crystal Mountain: Merry Christmas fellow skiers. We got a lot of the trails groomed yesterday- those being the flats, one pass was made on Aspen climb, nepsa, Does and our new trail Fawn and then the sled broke. I skied the one pass trails yesterday and they were a little tricky as sometimes I got sucked into the side that wasn't groomed. There are some decent track sets in spots. Considering we don't have a lot of snow the trails are skiable. I would use rock skis and if you decide to go into the hills be careful as those haven't been touched since before the last melt down. Enjoy the day.

TUE, DEC 24

Palmer Woods Forest Reserve: Fresh snow on top of a groomed trail created a fast and fun ski today. Many skiers use backcountry skis, however; the classic tracks on both sides of the trail can be used for serious training if one wishes. It is a magical gem of a trail among the trees. There are also endless side trails where skiers venture, in addition to the groomed portions. Everyone is nice and friendly too! Make sure you ski to the top of Price Valley and get the view of Sugar Loaf and Good Harbor Bay. This was a treat on Christmas Eve.

Hanson Hills: It was a beautiful Christmas Eve on the trails at Hansen Hills, groomer Dan did a fine job this morning. I believe we even passed Cockrell out there, maybe it was just a Christmas miracle.

Elk Rapids Golf Course: Driving by the GC I noticed that it now has several inches of full snow coverage, and two sets of fresh classic track machine-groomed this morning with enough room between the two sets to skate if one wishes. They do have a rack of free loaner skis, boots, and poles in case you have any holiday visitors who may wish to try some Nordic. It's at the TH which is at the NE corner of the GC parking lot. Excellent for beginners as the ERCG is nearly flat.

Vasa Trail: The several inches of new snow over the past 24 hours followed by another grooming freshened up the trail and covered up the thin spots. The only remaining thin spot on the 10K skate lane is the usual area under the pine trees just past the bridge, but its now just a small patch. Also a few thin spots on the bottom of the freshly set classic tracks. Looking a lot like Christmas out there today with snow-laden pine boughs, and plenty of skiers are heading out to enjoy it as the parking lot was at least half full.

Nubs Nob: Perfect conditions. Fast, groomed ,ski it while you can.

Valley Spur: Perfect virgin corduroy & classic tracks this morn thanks to Groomer John C. I would have enjoyed skiing the big hills today, but Sarah skied short & missed Bill D by 7 mins! I’ll just have to make time to come back soon!

Michaywe: We received about 4 inches of new snow yesterday. The Michaywe trails have all been freshly groomed for both classic and skating. The skiing should be fantastic for the next few days!

Valley Spur: Happy Holidays. Our Lodge will be open everyday thru New Years Day 10a-4p.
John C groomed the entire system last night when temperatures dropped. We still have a good base, so we are only missing you.

Crystal Mountain: We are in the process of packing the trails with the tidd tech. We even got a track set in spots. Come and get it while you can before the next melt down.

Hanson Hills: 5-6 inches of new snow yesterday. Groomer Dan has skate deck and fresh tracks set on All Trails, Green, Blue, Yellow, Brown, M-93 and Easy Return. Wilderness had fresh tracks late afternoon yesterday. Trails are in great shape!

Lodge and trails open at 9am.

Kensington Metropark: Nice skiing on the golf course this early morning, finishing at 9:00am. A thin layer of spring+like dense snow covered everywhere. Skating was good on the groomed fairways and even in the taller grass! Cyril, Tony, and I did a few intervals, some doublepoling, some skating without poles. A great outing!

As the day warms a bit, I would guess the snow won't be as good. It might freeze from the ground-up overnight and be ok early Christmas morning.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 5 inches of snow throughout the day yesterday and last night. Butch rolled the trails last night, and Groomer Mike is grooming this morning. Trails are open all day and night, but please note that the shop, cafe, and rental desk is only open from 10am to 2pm today, in celebration of Christmas Eve. We are closed tomorrow, Christmas Day, but the trails are open "on the house" for anyone who wants to ski! Enjoy this magical, snowy white Christmas!

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