UPCOMING

SAT, JAN 11, 2025

Vasa Raptor Rush Nordic Ski Race Fundraiser
Hickory Hills Ski Area, Traverse City, MI

XC Ski HQ: Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

SISU Ski Fest
ABR Trails, E5299 West Pioneer Road, Ironwood, Michigan 49938

UPDATE: Frosty Fest! Frosty Freestyle 5/15K
Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, MI

XC Ski HQ: "Pure Michigan” Winter Trails Day with the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

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, JAN 12, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Bob’s Bean Bomb at the Stone Turtle Cafe
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

Frosty Fest! Krazy Klassic 7K/10K
Huron Meadows Metropark, Brighton, MI

XC Ski HQ: Golden Years Ski School!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

MON, JAN 13, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Silver Streak Week - Seniors ski free!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

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

TUE, JAN 14, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Silver Streak Week - Seniors ski free!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

WED, JAN 15, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Silver Streak Week - Seniors ski free!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

THU, JAN 16, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Silver Streak Week - Seniors ski free!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

FRI, JAN 17, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Silver Streak Week - Seniors ski free!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

SAT, JAN 18, 2025

CXC Jr. Cup / Great Lakes Division - Classic Individual Start
Rhinelander, WI - Northwoods Nordic Ski Club

Cote Dame Marie
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, MI

XC Ski HQ: Gourmet Lunch at Trapper's Cabin
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

XC Ski HQ: Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

SUN, JAN 19, 2025

CXC Jr. Cup / Great Lakes Division - Freestyle Individual Start
Rhinelander, WI - Northwoods Nordic Ski Club

Flying Squirrel Freestyle Junior Race
Crystal Mountain, 2500 Crystal Mountain Dr., Thompsonville, Michigan 49683

XC Ski HQ: Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

MON, JAN 20, 2025

XC Ski HQ: Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N Cut Rd, Roscommon, MI 48653. 800-832-2663, [email protected], CrossCountrySki.com

FRI, JAN 24, 2025

Noquemanon Ski Marathon: Junior and Adaptive Races
Al Quaal Recreation Area, Ishpeming, MI

More events...

LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

THU, JAN 9

Forbush Corner: Update. Grooming not needed. Skiing is good as is.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The Trappers Cabin trail (about 2km) has full coverage with man-made snow, and is firmly packed and snowcombed for great skating conditions. We are working to provide classic tracks on Trappers for the weekend, and appreciate your patience as our trail team works so diligently at the long process of making, spreading, crushing, packing, and grooming the snow. The rest of the trails are open but ungroomed until we get about 2 more inches of snow - maybe this weekend! The Blizzard Pond loop behind the practice area, in addition to the practice area, now has abundant man-made snow, is groomed, and is in excellent for demos, lessons, and just skiing around. Join us for lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe, plus a ton of great events this weekend!

Forbush Corner: Going to be a chilly start to the day. Currently -15 at the corner, warming to the 20s later in the day. All trails remain open with good coverage with classic tracks. Some thin spots and dirt here and there, easily avoidable. Fresh groom on the 240 Loop, Linda’s Link in the valley and Ridge. More snow is needed for the other trails. Groomers will evaluate. Open 9 to 5.

WED, JAN 8

: Binder Park Golf Course - Battle Creek, MI
There were about 2 inches of fluffy snow - grass in some parts, but easily avoidable. Pretty good conditions. We used the B skis.

The gates are open until dark. Park at the clubhouse.

PJ

Boyne Mountain: I skied all the lower trails and worked up to Innsbruck this afternoon…trails are excellent with good corduroy that has set up hard and fast considering the cold temps. Rex blue perfect.

Vasa Trail: Skated the 10K on the VASA today, starting at the trailhead. Pleasantly surprised with v. good coverage throughout (albeit not deep). Several inches of cold fluffy snow on top of the base didn't slow you down, and also it wasn't cold enough for that new snow to be slow snow ;) No classic tracks were set, but several folks out cruising along. Bonus; the sun came out about 3:30 :) Go out and get some!
PS- Wish this platform offered the option to post trail pix, as folks have the option to do on skinnyski.com

Vasa Trail: I forgot to mention in my trail report earlier today that there is not enough snow depth for the groomers to set classic track. So the entire trail system is currently groomed only for skating pending more snow. Though there were probably an equal number of classic skiers out today basically setting their own track in the fresh loose snow on top of the firm base.

Unlisted trail: Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, Rte. 271 Southbound. Pennsylvania’s lovable black bears are sound asleep in their dens this week. 12”+ deep cold snow conditions. If you think you may be breaking trail bring wide skis and a few friends.

Valley Spur: With about an inch of fresh snow overnight classic skiing was very good. A nice crowd out today, mostly from out of town. Bring your A skis. Snowshoe trails are open with great scenery.
Lodge open every day from 10a-4p.

Vasa Trail: There were quite a few cars in the Bartlett Road parking lot when I arrived mid-afternoon, so the chilly 16F temps wasn't bothering the skiers. The entire system was fully groomed at oh-dark-thirty this morning, and since then an additional 3" of LES fluff had fallen.

I was confident that with the 4" to 6" of fresh snow over the last few days that the former thin spots from the TH to the Split Rail Fence would be covered, so it would be safe for me to return to starting from the TH, and saving myself the drive out to the Rock as I had done the previous three days - and that was the case. Once on the 10K loop-proper you'd have to look far and wide to find a thin spot, I could only find a couple easily avoided.

The fresh fluff-snow on top of the groomed trail didn't really affect your forward skating speed, but it did impart a soft silky under-ski feel of luxury-skating. LF6 was gliding well considering the very cold fresh snow would try to squeak back as it tried to resist the wax invasion. Should just keep getting better each day with additional LES and maybe even some sun tomorrow.

Interlochen Golf Course: Freshly groomed classic tracks in Interlochen! Two loops, about 3 and 1.2 km each. Most was perfect snow-lined track. But where grass, twigs, or gravel (from golf cart paths) showed thru, it was easy to step out of tracks and ski alongside on packed snow. Be very careful or bring your "rock skis". NOT groomed for skate skiing.

Hanson Hills: A light new snow with freshly groomed trail greeted me this afternoon. It was a breezy 12 degrees F which is right at the edge of happiness for me recently. But skating called and a true XC skier does not ball at the cold. There are thin spots but easy to avoid. A few leaves but minor when you consider the low snow totals since the last thaw. B skis waxed for cold. No tracks but wilderness was skied in.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Andy, Buck's Run will be open at noon on Saturday (after the race) and I assume will be open for normal hours going forward.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Some clarification: the 1km loop mentioned below is just the loop in the woods. There is also to 0.5 k loop to the ski center for a total course loop of 1.5k. The course is looking good!

Unlisted trail: Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, Rte. 271 Southbound. Pennsylvania’s lovable black bears are sound asleep in their dens this week. 12”+ deep cold snow conditions. If you think you may be breaking trail bring wide skis and a few friends.

Vasa Trail: Skate lane was soft and somewhat uneven from single-pass snowmobile grooming over new snow with more snow having fallen. Base was thin in only a few spots however some dirt/leaves/sticks showing under the snow so rock skis would be advised if you have them. No classic tracks.

Shanty Creek - Schuss Mtn: After this weekends 12”+ of snow, some of the trails were rolled, then eventually groomed with the Tidtech. I skated Pine Cone today and found about 1-2” of new snow on top of the compacted and groomed base. The classic tracks were firm and deep. Unfortunately snowmobiles drove along Poet’s loop making it unskiable. Hopefully the resort can allocate the necessary resources to regularly groom the trails this season. Today’s conditions are about a six out of ten.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Does anyone know if they plan to open Bucks Run this year?

Crystal Mountain: I have a question for all you groomers out there if it's ok to do so on this website. We are looking to replace our snowmobile and was wondering what you use to pull a tidd tech. We are currently using a skandic 900 and pulling a G2 6' tidd tech. Do you use a side by side and if so what size, snowmobile, tractor or other. Also, what is your terrain like? Any response would be great. Thanks

Huron Meadows Metropark: Official report from Hurom Meadows on the course for this coming weekend's Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic:

"Mike

I just spoke with our maintenance staff, and they believe that they will have approximately 1 km of trail ready to go Saturday morning. This 1 km will include the connector along with the front loop of Bucks. Of course, this could change if mother nature decides to grace us with snow before Saturday. We will keep you updated, but as of right now plan on the 1 km for the race. Please know that the trail will not be open until Saturday morning as the crew will be continuing to work on it throughout the week. Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Tamra

Tamra Bezzeg | Park Manager
[email protected]
734.426.8211"

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Good morning! The Trappers Cabin trail has full coverage with man-made snow, giving us about a 2km loop in great condition. It will be snowcombed this morning. All trails are open but ungroomed until we get about 2 more inches of snow. The practice area has abundant man-made snow, is groomed, and is in excellent for demos, lessons, and just skiing around. Join us for lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe!

Hanson Hills: Another light dusting last night. Groomer Dan will try to snowcomb this morning. Skiing has been good. Trailhead to the woods is marginal but skiable. All Trails, Green, Blue, Brown, Yellow and Easy Return have a firm base. Red and M-93 rolled, however we advise you to avoid, as they are marginal.
Lodge and Trails open 9am.

TUE, JAN 7

Boyne Mountain: I skied all the lower trails this morning. The base is thin but skiing was excellent with a few spots to avoid. Worst section is really just out of parking area. Perfect corduroy today should set up nicely. Rex blue was perfect.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Frosty Fest! Update.
The park began spreading snow on the trail over the course of last weekend and continues to spread snow. The operation is not yet complete so we don't know what the exact layout of the trail will be, but we are hoping that it will be the full 2.5 km loop. Regardless of what the final trail looks like there will be a high quality race course for everyone.
You can sign up here
https://www.skisignup.com/Race/MI/Brighton/FrostyFest
Thanks
Ken Roth

Vasa Trail: It just keeps getting better. Seems like every day we keep getting 2" + of fresh snow. My previous reports are ancient history now with the previous bare spots being covered like my quilted blanket on our bed. OK, maybe a bit over the top but my point is, right now, today the entire Vasa loop (27k) is an awesome pleasure to ski. Bottom of Annita's hill and the climb up to the bunker hill aid station after that, is probably the worst part to the course. With several inches of snow forecasted and the 45 day forecast for cold, it is setting up the Vasa race as one of the best ones yet. Don't forget to signup now at www.vasa.org... Remember, you do not have to be a ski racer just a weekend tourer with an attitude and the willingness to take part in a great event. Yes, the Community Celebration Party which takes place the afternoon before Superbowl Sunday. Why do think Cliff and I are co-directors, we had the vision the Lions would be in the Superbowl. Afterall, my hiking trail name was LIon King

Michaywe: Groomed out the skating deck on the entire trail system. Track was set on maple ridge, nordic, herringbone, and most of the front 9 loop. Overall conditions are good, just a few easily avoidable thin spots.

Hanson Hills: Light dusting of snow overnight, not enough to warrant fresh grooming. All Trails, Green, Blue, Brown, Yellow and Easy Return have a firm base, with a few thin spots that are easily avoidable. We have not set tracks. Red and M-93 Hills are still very thin, please avoid. Lodge and trails open 9am-5pm daily. Trail Passes are required

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Greetings from Higgins Lake! All trails are open, and there is a modified Trapper's Cabin loop of man-made snow that will be groomed this morning. The trail team will have the complete Trapper's Cabin man-made loop ready tomorrow morning. The practice area has abundant man-made snow, is groomed, and is in excellent for demos, lessons, and just skiing around. Join us for lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe!

More trail reports...