News

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

Closed for Christmas, parking lot and trails open, on the house!

From 2:00pm to 4:00pm, enjoy live music by Joe Frye! Bring your friends and relax with a snack and a hot toddy from the Stone Turtle Cafe.

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

From 2:00pm to 4:00pm, get down to some live, musical entertainment by George Frye! Kick back by the fire, indulge in some food and a beverage from the Stone Turtle Cafe, and enjoy a mix of covers and originals on acoustic guitar.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters has teamed up with Michigan Ski Industries Association to offer a very affordable introduction to the sport of cross country skiing! Discover Michigan is designed to introduce this healthy, fun, outdoor activity to anyone with an interest in outdoor winter recreation. The program includes a beginner group ski lesson, full day ski equipment rental, and XC SKI HQ facilities pass

Entering its 27th year, Winter Trails Day invites adults and children for a free Facilities Pass and cross country ski lesson, plus a complimentary hot cocoa and hot dog cookout on the ski trails. Bring your friends and family for a fantastic day on the snow, and discover how fun winter in Northern Michigan can be! Check-in is at 10:00am. Please click here to

Northern Michigan University Nordic Team Alum and top Michigan Cup racer, Jordyn Ross, is back for another outstanding clinic series. Divided into two days, this updated clinic series will be geared towards beginner, proficient beginner, and intermediate skiers on Saturday, and advanced-intermediate and expert level skiers on Sunday. Cost for a clinic is $20. Please click here to sign up in advance (space is

If you are age 60 or older, you are entitled to a complimentary XC SKI HQ Facilities Pass, plus a coffee or hot cocoa on the house, all week long! Enjoy our meticulously groomed trails, relax in our cozy Day Lodge, peruse the menu at the Stone Turtle Café, and try out a pair of new skis for FREE at our demo center!

Intended for both beginners and people who have not skied in many years, the Golden Years Ski School is an introduction (or reintroduction) to the sport of cross country skiing for people aged 55+. This learn-to-ski workshop is tailored to each participant’s goals and ability levels, and aims to teach participants the skills required to truly enjoy cross country skiing. Participants will begin the

Join us for a hearty lunch of beef stew and rustic bread at Trapper’s Cabin! Warm your body and spirit around the bonfire, and enjoy your meal under towering white pines, amidst the peace of the forest. Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing,

Dust off your Lederhosen and join us for a taste of the Alps! Enjoy skiing  on the HQ trail system, then test your strength at Masskrugstemmen, with stein-holding contests for men and women starting at 2:00pm. Make a team of three, and ski in unison atop our giant pair of “Team Skis” in the Team Ski Time Trials, beginning at 3:00pm. Of course, we

Enjoy some great tunes by local guitar player, singer and songwriter, Eric McDonald! Bring your friends and delight in some food and drink from the Stone Turtle Cafe. Have you been thinking about trying skate skiing, but aren’t sure how to get into it? Join us for our Learn How to Skate Ski Clinic, which includes a Facilities Pass, and 90 minute group skate

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

A favorite XC Ski HQ tradition, Paella on the Sun Deck celebrates a world-renowned, Spanish rice dish, and offers skiers a hearty, flavorful (and entertaining!) feast. Prepared in a massive cast iron pan over an outdoor fire pit, this lunch comes from an authentic Spanish recipe from Paella master Ayo from Nerja, Spain, and is served piping hot with Saffron-spiced chicken, shrimp, mussels and

Indulge in a gourmet, four-course meal in the rustic Stone Turtle Day lodge at Cross Country Ski Headquarters. This year’s theme is Dinner in Italy, featuring creative and exquisite Italian dishes to satiate your soul on a cold winter’s night. New this year, add a wine pairing to your feast! Wine pairings will feature fine wines from Italy, Portugal, and California. Bring a date

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

Kick back to an Americana extravaganza with live music from Forest Parker from 2:00-4:00pm! Indulge in a hot toddy and hot bavarian pretzel from the Stone Turtle Cafe. An HQ favorite foodie event! Get your fill of a Black Bean Veggie Burger, Lean Beef Burger, or Beyond Meat Plant-Based Burger, grilled to perfection over open flame and served with your choice of toppings. If you

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

Jam to the fun sounds of this great local duo. Warm up by the fire in the Stone Turtle Day Lodge and Cafe with a beverage and a snack, and let the music move you! Have you been thinking about trying skate skiing, but aren’t sure how to get into it? Join us for our Learn How to Skate Ski Clinic, which includes a

For only $5, visitors to the Higgins Lake/Roscommon area can purchase a Winter Fest badge and enjoy a day of cross country skiing or snowshoeing at XC Ski HQ. The badge gets you an XC Ski HQ facilities pass for the day, plus complimentary hot cocoa and bonfire at Trapper’s Cabin from 3:30-5:30. It also gets you access to lots of other fun local

Prepare to indulge in this decadent classic comfort food, complete with a toppings bar that includes onions, tomatoes, spinach, jalapenos, feta cheese, peas, hotdogs, and bacon. So rich and delicious, this mac-sterpiece lunch is the perfect complement to a day on the ski trails! Free Beginner ski lesson at 10:30am on Saturday 2/17.

A favorite XC Ski HQ tradition, Ribs & Blues features an afternoon of fantastic live music from Rhett’s Eastside Blues Band, as well as German Dave’s famous BBQ ribs. It’s a perfect day to hit the trails, then kick back by the fire and enjoy great music and outstanding ribs, scalloped potatoes, and coleslaw. There is also a free beginner ski lesson at 10:30am.

Join us for the longest standing juniors race in Michigan! The Muffin Race celebrates the fun of youth skiing with a Junior Girls and Boys 5km Team Sprint Relay Race. This 13+ freestyle relay race will feature two skiers per relay team. Each skier will ski a total of 3 laps around a 1.5km course, handing off to their teammate between each lap, totalling

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

Season Trail Sponsors are invited to enjoy a bowl of chili on the house today. Thank you for your support for the XC Ski HQ trail system!

Learn how to cross country ski at our FREE beginner ski lesson! You will learn the basics of traditional (classic style) XC ski technique, plus hill climbing, descending, and turning. You will even learn how to get up when you fall down! Free lessons are limited to 25 people. Ski rentals are available at the rental desk on a first-come, first-served basis (we do

Join us for one of the most exciting ski races in Michigan! This grand finale race for the Michigan Cup Race Series features a relay race with 3 skiers per team: 2 legs freestyle, and 1 classic leg. Each skier skis approximately 4-6km per leg. You do not have to be a Michigan Cup racer to participate! IF you do not have a team

Starting April 3rd, 2023, Stone Turtle Yoga will offer multiple classes every week at the Stone Turtle Day Lodge all spring and summer long. Drop in for a class, or purchase a membership or class pack. A variety of classes are offered to suit all ability levels, and yoga mats and props are available for use, free of charge. Plus, don’t forget to shop

Cross Country Ski Headquarters is open in the off-season on the following days: Spring Hours (April 1st through June 16th): Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm Open Memorial Day Weekend and weekends by appointment Summer Hours (June 17th through August 20th) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9:00am to 4:00pm Closed Sunday and Wednesday Fall Hours (August 21st through October 27th) Monday through Friday,

Join us for the most Epic Sale of the year – the Labor Day Weekend Sale! SEPT 1 – 4, 2023  // Fri – Mon Skis are in stock! Shop our huge selection of cross country ski packages at the Labor Day Weekend Sale. Work with an expert to get fitted for the perfect ski package for you. *CLEARANCE SALE ON LAST SEASON’S CLOTHING!*