Michigan: Northern Lower Peninsula

North of West Branch; includes Traverse City, Grayling, Gaylord, Tawas

Sat, Dec 9: Interlochen Golf Course (Interlochen)

Rain melted all the snow in Interlochen. My report from Thursday got copied as from today/Saturday. I just wanted to make this correction.

- Paula Dreeszen

Sat, Dec 9: Interlochen Golf Course (Interlochen)

Fun, fast GROOMED classic tracks today, with minor melted spots easily skied around. Snow might not survive the upcoming warmup, but still good snow cover here today. There is a grooming fund donation box on the split rail fence.

- Paula Dreeszen

Sat, Dec 9: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

45 and raining on this gloomy Saturday Morning. Lodge will be Open 10am-2pm. Today is a good day to get those season passes made.

- Justin Andre

Fri, Dec 8: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Shop will be closed today and tomorrow. Trails are marginal and available to ski on though. If not a season pass holder, please leave a donation if you wish.

- Mike

Fri, Dec 8: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Shop will be closed today and tomorrow. Trails are marginal and available to ski on though. If not a season pass holder, please leave a donation if you wish.

- Mike

Fri, Dec 8: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

Lodge will be open 9am-5pm

Cross Country Trail Report: Best skiing will be this morning while temperatures are cool. Temperatures to reach mid 40’s today.

- Justin Andre

Thu, Dec 7: Interlochen Golf Course (Interlochen)

Fun, fast GROOMED classic tracks today, with minor melted spots easily skied around. Snow might not survive the upcoming warmup, but still good snow cover here today. There is a grooming fund donation box on the split rail fence.

- Paula Dreeszen

Thu, Dec 7: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

35 degrees in Grayling at the moment. Forecast is warmer weather and possible rain Friday and Saturday. Trails are skiable with a thin base, although we are not confident that the base will hold up after the weekend. We will definitely keep you posted.

Lodge and Trails Open 9am-5pm

- Justin Andre

Thu, Dec 7: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)

The trails took a hit with the warm weather last night, so the trails across the street are closed for right now. The practice area still has a good base and is open for skiing. We WILL have a free ski lesson this Saturday, December 9th! And, while the Stone Turtle Cafe is not officially open until December 16th, we will have chili, hot cocoa, and drinks available for purchase in the Cafe this weekend.

- Mariah, Stu, George, Erin, Missy, Alex, Mitch and the crew

Thu, Dec 7: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Open today at 9. Trails are holding up, but slowly melting. No new grooming today.

- Ann Wagar

Wed, Dec 6: Vasa Trail (Traverse City)

Got a late start this morning but enticed by the fresh 2” of snow on the Vasa. I met up with Leslie for a tour of the 10k backwards from Timber Ridge to Special K, 10/25 split, Headwaters cut-off & back, with only one avoidable dirt spot under the tree north of the 4 Corners. It wasn’t fast since no tracks, ungroomed & warm, so heavy snow, but lots of fun getting to know Leslie better. Neither of us had planned to ski 6.8 miles (11km) & 560 ft of hills, but may be the last for a few days. Let it snow!

- Sara Cockrell

Wed, Dec 6: Michaywe (Gaylord)

Trails groomed and track set, except Back 9.Skated most of the trails.Very good coverage and classic tracks were mostly clean of dirt and debris

- Keith Radwanski

Wed, Dec 6: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

Light dusting of snow only helped these lovely trails. As always worst part is the first part. Today I got lured onto red by fresh corduroy. It was lumpy in spots but never scary and fully covered. I used it as a trail day to clear off big sticks in the trail. I missed a section but what I did was great. I also did m 93 hills. Downhills snow covered uphills some avoidable dirt. I would not do it backwards. B skis good. I had too cold of wax. No new logging so whole system is still beautiful

- Linda Weeks Kaleita

Wed, Dec 6: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

We will be open today at 9. The loop and Linda’s Link will be closed due to last night’s round of snowmaking. Ridge, Badlands and the green loop are open. Ridge will be bi-directional today as a link to and from Badlands.

- Mike

Wed, Dec 6: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

Lodge and Trails Open 9am-5pm. Trail passes required.

Cross Country Trail Report: Skate deck on Blue,Yellow, Brown Easy Return and M-93 trails have been holding up decently. We are thin in a few areas. Wilderness was packed and has intermittent tracks where snow would allow. Tracks were set on the Blue Monday (very thin in many areas)

Downhill &Tubing Operations:
We are making snow when temperatures allow. Tentative opening date is December 22nd.

- Justin Andre

Tue, Dec 5: Lakes of the North (Mancelona)

Trail was very good today, all of the rough spots covered by the three inches of fresh snow. I skied about two pm, mostly I was making the only tracks on the course. It is a little soft, but a very fine ski.

- Allen Sorgenfrei

Tue, Dec 5: Nubs Nob (Harbor Springs)

Nubs cross country trails are officially closed. However,..the upper red loop via valley road access had very good conditions with no bare spots. Thanks again to John for grooming after the snows and again this morning. Heavy skate traffic.

- Greg

Tue, Dec 5: Vasa Trail (Traverse City)

Skied 16 km from Timber Ridge to Special K to the 10/25k split, Rock & back with Paula Dreezen starting at 9:45. This is my favorite Vasa loop, and trail conditions were good for the limited base, except for some avoidable dirt. We both used skin skis, which were squeaky in the snow, and not fast without a track. It was 32F & mostly cloudy, so glad not much sunshine to preserve the snow for one more ski tomorrow before the forecast warmup & possible rain. I love the forest when the boughs are covered with snow, another gorgeous Winter Wonderland today, with many skiers enjoying the trail, too. This was a long early season (2nd wk) ski for me, and since we skied clockwise, climbing the powerlines, the 654 ft of elevation wore me out! Get out & enjoy while it lasts!

- Sara Cockrell

Tue, Dec 5: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

My life afforded me a quick early morning ski. The trail was a bit dirty at the beginning and here and there all along access trail. Once in the woods conditions only improved. I was skating and tracks were in but came and went. Wilderness was packed and spots with tracks looked decent. I skated yellow to brown to blue and back Sue’s. Yellow was great, brown perfect and blue a little dirt. Sue’s great. All dirt was avoidable and the trees and conditions just wonderful. Does not need a warm up.

- Linda Weeks Kaleita

Tue, Dec 5: Michaywe (Gaylord)

Groomed the entire trail system today with a fresh skate lane and new classic tracks where possible. Most of the trails have decent coverage with a few thin spots. We won't be grooming again until we receive more snow.

- Jamie

Tue, Dec 5: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

Lodge and Trails Open 9am-5pm

Tracks (Marginal) Set on Blue Trail/Easy Return. Skate Deck is decent on Blue, Brown, Yellow.
Groomer Dan, is working on Wilderness this morning.

- Justin Andre

Tue, Dec 5: Bay Meadows GC (Traverse City)

It was the best I glided so far this winter. Conditions were great for skating with good coverage except for a few thin spots on the back hill section. Stay away from the hill at the main trailhead. It is icy and bare on top. Make sure to ski the upper meadow though because snow coverage is very good. Thanks for groomers rolling a nice packed course.

- Ken Dawson

Tue, Dec 5: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

We are open today at 9 am. The trails we groomed yesterday are in good shape. Still some thin areas, would recommend B skis. We will try to groom some of the west side trails today.

- Ann Wagar

Tue, Dec 5: Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville)

i groomed all the trails yesterday (no trackset). It turned out pretty good. a few bare spots but nothing you can't ski around. Some spots on the asphalt cart paths you can hear the click of your poles.

- kathloon

Mon, Dec 4: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

Trail is in great early season shape. Skating is awesome on yellow, brown and blue. Trail is leveling out nicely. Classic tracks on blue are molded nicely but thin. Skate deck is firm with a few thin spots. I skated in the dark with a light and had no problems avoiding anything thin or dirty. Ski you all soon.!!

- Robert N Smith

Mon, Dec 4: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

Forbush has been teasing the natural snow perfectly this season! The new snow they received yesterday was groomed and although grasses or sand could at times be seen mixed with the snow, glide was never compromised, and there were no bare spots. It was a dream to skate ski today! I would still recommend B skis, as the uphills can get chewed up with skier traffic. Had I skied classical, I would not have fully trusted snow coverage in the tracks, although most of them looked fine. Thank you Forbush crew!

- Wendy Blogg Anderson

Mon, Dec 4: Lost Lakes Pathway (Interlochen)

The snow on this ungroomed pathway was generally thin with some bare spots. The eastern side of the 1st/southern loop and some eastern parts of the 3rd/northern loop had more snow. So far, there've been more hikers than skiers here. The snow-covered trees were pretty, but bring your rock skis. Should still be skiable on Tuesday.

- Paula Dreeszen

Mon, Dec 4: Vasa Trail (Traverse City)

First groom of the year on the Vasa trail and it was awesome. James and his crew did an outstanding job with a wide rolled track and a pretty solid base. The wet snow will do wonders for setting a base for the rest of the winter. I skied from Timber Ridge (they groomed out to the Vasa trail) and went clockwise. Just a couple of dicey areas, one at the bottom of wood chip hill under the large pine, other wise great coverage with very few dirt spots shown. Did headwaters and it was perfect, hardly a thin area to be seen. I was amazed when I started skiing that no one was at Timber Ridge. I only saw one set of skate tracks and followed those all the way to the 25k split. The only area you had to walk around was near the creek area. After that it was all good snow. I was skating myself and it was a little slow but I had decent glide and it felt beautiful to be back on the Vasa trail. Heard a lot of skiers talking about when the vasa trail was going to groomed and now that it is, where are you?

- Ken Dawson

Mon, Dec 4: Vasa Trail (Traverse City)

I skated the 10K and Headwaters. Yesterday's snow packed to a firm skate base. No classic tracks. Coverage is generally good, thin under the pines, and there's a large bare spot by the bridge. Use your "B" skis.

- Bryce Dreeszen

Mon, Dec 4: Michaywe (Gaylord)

We received 4" of new snow on Sunday. All of the trails were rolled this morning. Conditions are good with a few thin spots that are easy to avoid.

- Jamie

Mon, Dec 4: Hanson Hills (Grayling)

We received a couple of inches of new snow Sunday. Blue is machine groomed with Set tracks this morning. (Marginal in many areas). Groomer Dan is packing trail system with snowmobile and Tidd Tech this morning.

Lodge and Trails are open 9am - 5pm
Trail Passes are required.

- Justin Andre

Mon, Dec 4: Cross Country Ski Headquarters (Higgins Lake)

We received a grand total of about 4" of snow throughout yesterday and last night. Groomer Butch rolled the Trappers Cabin, Adventure, and Rolling Hills trails this morning, and it's just gorgeous out there. Most of the trail surface is completely covered, but there are of course some thin spots under the big trees. All trails are open and "B" skis are still recommended - stop by the rental desk and rent some for free if you don't own a pair. Butch also snow combed and set fresh tracks on the practice area, where there is a solid base of natural and man-made snow. Use your good skis out there, or stop in and demo a new pair! The earlier the better for best conditions today, as it is supposed to get above freezing this afternoon.

- Mariah, Stu, George, Erin, Missy, Alex, Mitch and the crew

Mon, Dec 4: Dunes Golf Club (Empire)

What a start amazing accumulations.
Again... Leelanau counties best Nordic natural ski spot!
Have a fun experience
classic for now


- Kevinski slowski

Mon, Dec 4: Forbush Corner (Frederic)

We will be open today at 9 am! Larry will be grooming some trails on the east side, probably the loop, ridge and badlands. Work will continue on the snowmaking pump and will possibly be fixed today. We received about 4 inches of snow yesterday.

- Ann Wagar