Toko's early American Birkebeiner wax recommendation: blue on blue on blue.
The trail was widened significantly, letting Shanty Creek use the big groomer over most of the trail system. It was very noticeable - and appreciated!
Time to wax up for Saturday and Sunday's North American Vasa races!
Tracks were glazed where people were testing skis, making even skins and zeros a little slippery. Hard waxes did work, but tended to ice if one stepped onto the new snow outside the track.
The White Pine Stampede's crack photographers took over a thousand pictures! Use the link below to see them. Right-click and pick
Wax recommendations for this weekend's Michigan Cup races: White Pine Stampede and Mike Seaman Memorial Classic! I'll update when Rex provides recommendations.
Tony Percha and Cheryl Darnton lead the senior standings in the Michigan Cup. Clara Bennet and Mikel Cuerda lead the juniors.
The warm weather has taken it's toll on the White Pine Stampede 50k trail, forcing race organizers to reroute the trail for better snow. The decision was made last night to use an alternate route for the 50k.
What did skiers in the Noquemanon Ski Marathon 50K classic do to get kick in temperatures right around freezing? I always think of this as the "what wax do I try next" conditions because of the difficulty of finding the right kick wax.
The Krazy Klassic celebrated it's 10th year with wins by Team NordicSkiRacer's Erin Lipp and Kyle Hanson on a triple-tracked classic trail.
Toko, Rex, Fast Wax, Start, Holmenkol Ski*Go, Vauhti, oh my!
After four races, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters still leads the Brumbaugh Cup competition. Team NordicSkiRacer is in second, and Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop pushes into third.
White Pine Stampede
Mancelona High School, 9300 W Limits Rd; Mancelona MI 49659
Pre-Birkie 26K and 42K
Hayward, Wisconson
Valley Spur Classic 5/10k
Valley Spur, E8017 State Highway M-94, Munising, MI
Barnelopet
Maasto Hiihto, Hancock
2026 Winter Olympics - Women's 10 + 10 km Skiathlon
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Forbush Memorial Classic Race
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's 10 + 10 km Skiathlon
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's/Women's Sprint qual.+ final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - 10 km freestyle women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - 10 km freestyle men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
50th Annual North American Vasa Freestyle
Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 E. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
Loppet Junior Qualifier & SuperTour (JNQ) - Classic Mass Start
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
2026 Winter Olympics - Women's 4x7.5 km Relay
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Loppet Junior Qualifier & SuperTour (JNQ) - Freestyle Individual Star
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
50th Annual North American Vasa Classic
Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 E. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's 4x7.5 km Relay
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Open Track
Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - Team Sprint Women's/Men's Qual.+ Final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Kortelopet 29K Race
Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center, 12205 County Hwy-B W, Hayward, WI 54843 (OO Trailhead)
Prince Haakon 15K
Phipps Road, north of Hayward, WI
American Birkebeiner 53k Classic Race / 50k Skate Race
Cable to Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy