Cross Country Ski Headquarters One of 10 Best Cross Country Ski Destinations

Fri, Dec  14, 2018 - By Mariah Frye Colie

Higgins Lake, MI – Cross Country Ski Headquarters (XC Ski HQ), located in Higgins Lake, Michigan was voted a winner of the 2018 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice travel award for Best Cross-Country Ski Resort.

This 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest was launched on Monday, October 29th, and revealed the category's 20 nominees. After 4 weeks of voting, the contest closed on the November 26th noon. Rules allowed the public the right to vote online for one nominee per day.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters battled for the top spot over the course of four weeks, earning enough votes to hold the top position a number of times. After a final push towards the end of the voting, they ended up with a solid 2nd place finish behind the famous Devil’s Thumb Ranch of Colorado.

“We are overwhelmed with the amount of support we received during the voting process,” says Mariah Frye Colie, part owner of Cross Country Ski Headquarters. “Our ski area and shop has deep roots in an incredible community of skiers from Michigan and across the country, and to see the tremendous enthusiasm brought forth by so many is very humbling. It inspires us to continue serving all cross country skiers to the best of our abilities, and keep on with our mission of getting people outside having fun in the winter.”

Cross Country Ski Headquarters is a Nordic ski area and shop located in northern lower Michigan. Founded in 1974, this family-run business operates a meticulously maintained trail network, extensive retail shop, large rental and lesson facility, and beautiful day lodge and café. Known for its friendly and inviting atmosphere, as well as its staff’s expertise on all things cross country, XC Ski HQ offers a truly memorable, authentic winter experience, and invites people of all abilities to come and play on the snow.

XC Ski HQ was the only cross country ski resort in the state of Michigan that was nominated. It was the first time a Midwestern ski area ranked in the top 10 in the history of this contest.

The 20 nominees for Best Cross Country Ski Resort were chosen by a panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Jennie Bender, Reese Brown (Cross Country Ski Areas Association), Roger Lohr (XCSkiResorts.com), Cami Thompson Graves and Jonathan Wiesel (Nordic Group International) were chosen for their knowledge of the cross country ski industry. All voting is digital and the 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest is accessible on the 10Best.com website.

To learn more about Cross Country Ski Headquarters, its trails, shop, day lodge, and events, please visit: www.CrossCountrySki.com.