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.
Windows 10? Kiss your expensive Polar heart rate monitor goodbye...
11/5/2015 - By Mike Muha
Polar will not provide a Windows 10 driver for the Polar USB IrDA Adapter. If your heart rate monitor uses it to communicate with your PC, that functionality will go away.
New Toko flagship waxing iron: The T18 Digital Waxing Iron
11/4/2015 - By Ian Harvey
Why is this iron exciting? Beside having a super nice form, soft hand grip, cord conveniently coming out of the side making it more manageable, thick graduated base plate, quality digital performance, it also goes much hotter than our other irons.
Toko releases new Stars and Bars glove collection
11/2/2015 - By Ian Harvey
This video introduces the new Toko Stars and Strips cross country ski glove collection. Be patriotic!
Rent Norm's cabin!
11/2/2015 - By Algoma Highlands Conservancy
Looking for a warm and cozy stay overnight in the glory of Algoma’s backcountry? You are in luck. Norm’s Cabin is now open for reserved stays on a pay-as-you-play basis!
Preseason discount trail passes available for Yellowstone Ski Festival
10/24/2015 - By Wendy Swenson
Prepaid trail passes are now available for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Passes are valid from November 1-30. Passes can be purchased through the mail or online.
Why US-made ski poles are the best
10/20/2015 - By Andy Liebner
Get the real reason why people buy U.S. made ski poles from the owner and innovator himself!
Ski Hall of Fame needs your help
10/19/2015 - By Justin Koski
We are the largest ski history organization in the WORLD and without local support and patronage, we will not be able to keep the fire burning and Denver or Park City could gobble us up with their deep pockets and endless donation chains.
Michigan: warmer, drier this winter
10/18/2015 - By NOAA
Drier-than-average conditions most likely for areas near the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, with drought development likely in the northern Great Lakes region.
Kikkan Randall: Baby on Board!
10/18/2015 - By USSA
World Champion cross country ski racer Kikkan Randall is planning to take a break from competition this season. Randall and husband Jeff Ellis announced to her teammates this week that they are expecting their first child in April.
$40 for 40th White Pine Stampede. $20 for WPS 1 skiers
10/13/2015 - By Jack Mckaig
The entry fee for the 20KM and 50KM White Pine Stampede races will be only $40.00 until 11/1/14 in honor of our 40th anniversary; If you skied in WPS 1, it's only $20.
Michigan Cup Committee finalizes 2016 season
10/12/2015 - By Mike Muha
Financial report reviewed, race schedule approved...what were the other big decisions and topics of discussion at the 33rd annual Michigan Cup Committee meeting?
2018 XC Ski World Masters goes to Minneapolis, MN
10/10/2015 - By Loppet Foundation of Minneapolis
In early 2018, the Loppet Foundation of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA will host the Masters World Cup on the trails of Theodore Wirth Park Winter Recreation Area. The World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association (WMA) awarded the bid at their annual meeting.
UPCOMING
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
MON, JAN 12
Forbush Corner: Looks like a comfortable day to be out on the trails. The whole system was groomed yesterday. A fresh groom is planned on the east side trails, and the green trail on the west side. Open 9 to 5 today. (A reminder that we are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
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.
More trail reports...
