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

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

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

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LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

FRI, DEC 27

Valley Spur: Temps rose to near 40F during the night and have stayed there. Classic skiers were out with no-wax skis working and classic tracks holding up.
We are asking skaters to stay off the skate lanes if they are leaving deep marks in the base given the warm temps forecast through tomorrow.
After tomorrow’s forecast rain we will see how long it takes the base to firm up.

Forbush Corner: Due to unfavorable conditions, we are closing for the rest of today, tomorrow and probably Sunday as well.

Hanson Hills: This morning brings soggy conditions with a steady rain and temperatures hovering at 36°F. The trail base is holding up well, but the trailhead is showing signs of wear and deterioration. Due to the wet weather, we won’t be grooming today; however, the trails remain open for skiing if you're up for a challenge. Looking ahead, the forecast predicts more rain and warmer temperatures later this evening and into tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates, and if you plan to head out, don’t forget your rain gear!

Forbush Corner: Open today 9-5. No new grooming until the temperatures drop below freezing. There is a good classic track on all the trails including the Pine loop.. The snowmaking loop remains closed, but ridge is now open.

Crystal Mountain: Trails are not looking good so we are closed again.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The trails are open today for skiing, and the base is holding up very well. Conditions will get softer throughout the day due to the warm and damp weather, so skiing in the morning will provide the best conditions. We will not be grooming, but the shop is open and the Stone Turtle Cafe is open for lunch and dinner!

THU, DEC 26

Valley Spur: Conditions held up very well with skaters reporting very good to excellent conditions. Groomer John C was out and scratched up the skate lane but left the classic tracks they were. We have a solid 12” base after the last two melt downs so we should make it through the next two days without major damage. Keep an eye on the weather as predicting weather beyond one day is tough this year. Lodge will be open every day through New Year’s from 10a-4pm.

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.

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