Cross Country Ski Headquarters One of 10 Best Cross Country Ski Destinations in North America!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters (XC Ski HQ) 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 […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Friday, March 22nd
We’ve got about 2 inches of fluff, it’s still snowing, and pretty skiable! The snow is a little sticky, but if you keep moving and put a little liquid glidewax on the skis, you can ski right along! We are offering free ski rentals on our trails all weekend long, as well as a limited cafe menu with $5 paninis! We will not be […]
Spring Hours and Trail Update
We are still holding out for an early spring snow storm, but until then, the trails are open for hiking and bike riding! The shop is open 7 days per week until March 31st with the following hours: Mon-Sat: 10am to 5:30pm Sunday: 10am to 5:00pm Store hours starting April 1st: Monday through Friday: 9:15am to 4:15pm
Shop Winter Clearance!
The prices have hit rock bottom for the season! Shop clothing and ski specials now, and get the most bang for your buck. Shop Ski Package Clearance Shop Clearance Skis Shop Clearance Boots Shop Clothing Clearance
Cross Country Ski Headquarters Race Team WINS 2024 Michigan Cup!
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters snow-moving team worked from midnight until 45 minutes before the race started on March 2nd, preparing the course for the 2024 Michigan Cup Relays. About 75 racers, plus a couple dozen spectators turned out for the last-minute race, which was rescheduled last minute from its original date in order to capitalize on the quickly depleting snow base. It was […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Sunday, March 3rd
The Trapper’s Cabin loop is officially in ‘spring conditions’, meaning there is slush, ice, and bare spots. High temps and rain in the forecast do not bode well. Today is Trail Sponsor Appreciation day, so anyone that bought a season pass can come in for a free bowl of chili and cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Today is also the last day for […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Friday, March 1st
After a touch of snow on Wednesday, amazingly, the Trappers Cabin Loop is up and running and open for skiing today! The practice/demo field is getting thin, but both are still very doable. There is no free lesson on Saturday due to the rescheduling of the Michigan Cup Relays. Registration for the relay race is between 8:30-9:30 and the race starts at 10am. Weather […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Sunday, February 25th
What a fun day we had yesterday! Ribs & Blues was perhaps the best it’s ever been, with awesome music, great food, sunny skies, and great company. Today, the Trapper’s Cabin trail is once again open and snowcombed, with excellent conditions. Please note that this trail is closed from 10:00 to 11:00am today while the Junior Muffin Race is in progress. The Stone Turtle […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Saturday, Feb 24th
It’s another beautiful morning! We have snow combed the Trapper’s Cabin trail, which is fully covered with man-made snow and in excellent condition. It will be awesome out there all day with the sunshine and these wintery temps! Join us today Ribs and Blues! Succulent ribs and awesome blues music will kick off around noon. Plus, join us today for a free ski lesson […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Friday, Feb 23rd
Good morning! Groomer Mike has snow combed the Trapper’s Cabin trail, which is fully covered with man-made snow and in excellent condition. It will be awesome out there all day with these nice, sub-32 degree temps all day long! The Stone Turtle Cafe is open for lunch and drinks. Join us this weekend for tons of fun: Ribs and Blues is tomorrow, along with […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Wednesday, Feb 22nd
The Trapper’s Cabin trail is still in good condition for skate and classic skiing. The Stone Turtle Cafe is open for lunch and drinks. Ski early before the temps rise! Shop the Late Winter Clothing Sale! Update your cold/cool weather clothing kit with newly marked-down apparel from Kuhl, Norrona, and more. Get the right outdoor clothing to match your outdoor lifestyle! Clothing experts are […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Wednesday, Feb 21st
The sun and warm temps are taking a toll on the base, but The Trapper’s Cabin trail is still in great shape. There are classic tracks and a snowcombed skate lane. The rest of the trails are open (except Tall Pines), but have bare spots opening up. Enjoy the snow we have, then top it off with a drink and a sandwich from the […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Tuesday, Feb 20th
This morning is another good morning to ski! The Trapper’s Cabin trail is in great shape, with tracks set and snowcombed skate lanes. The rest of the trails (except Tall Pines) are also in good condition, with just a few thin spots beginning to show – the snow quality is high, with no ice and no wet spots. Enjoy it early for best conditions! […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Monday, February 19th
Trails are still in good shape, with corduroy set everywhere but Tall Pines. New tracks were extended on Trappers Cabin, the full tracked loop should be complete by tomorrow. The base is solid and the skate lanes are fast, especially on Rolling Hills. The practice area and Blizzard Trail are in excellent condition for lessons and demos. So grateful for SNOW! Today’s Forecast: Overcast […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Sunday, February 18th
We had great skiing all day yesterday, and today will more of the same! Corduroy set on all trails but Tall Pines, and new tracks were set on Trappers Cabin. The base is setting up nicely and the skate lanes are fast, especially on Rolling Hills. The practice area and Blizzard Trail are in excellent condition for lessons and demos. Come out and enjoy […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Saturday, February 17th
We received 2 more inches of snow last night and the trails are ready for skiing! Everything but Tall Pines was snow combed, and new tracks were set on Trappers Cabin. It’s going to be glorious day for skiing! The practice area and Blizzard Trail are in excellent condition for lessons and demos. There’s a bit more snow in the forecast for this evening, […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Friday, February 16th
We received 5-6 inches of snow last night and the woods are looking gorgeous! The man-made 1.6km out-and-back Trappers Cabin stretch is completely groomed with tracks set, and the rest of the trail network was packed and rolled, except for Tall Pines. We’re skiing! The practice area and Blizzard Trail are in excellent condition for lessons and demos. There’s a bit more snow in […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Thursday, February 15th
It’s SNOWING! Things are shaping up for a fine weekend here in Higgins Lake. The snow moving team will have the man-made 1.6km out-and-back Trappers Cabin stretch completely groomed with tracks set by Saturday morning. The practice area and Pond Loop (~0.25km) are in excellent condition, with a snow-combed layer of freshly spread man-made snow. Who knows how much snow is in store for […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Monday, Feb 12th
It’s nice to see a return of some cold weather! These cold temps will allow us to spread snow onto the Trapper’s Cabin trail throughout this week, in plenty of time for the weekend. Until then, the practice area and Pond Loop (~0.25km) are in excellent condition, with a snow-combed layer of freshly spread man-made snow. We will not be sending another ski report […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Sunday, Feb 11th
Good morning! The outbound Trapper’s Cabin trail is still skiable, with mostly marginal, some good, and some sparse stretches. Fortunately, there is not much ice to be found, and the short stretches of ice can easily be traversed by double polling. The snow-moving team spread man-made snow onto the .25km Pond Loop and patched up the practice area, which are both now in excellent […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Saturday, February 10th
We’re still holding on! Snow Doctor George raced against the sun yesterday to bolster the outbound trail to Trapper’s Cabin with snow. Today, Trapper’s Cabin will be a solidly skiable 1.6km out-and-back trail. The trail surface is a mix of snow and wet snow. Cabin Boy Josiah will be at Trapper’s Cabin selling refreshments and tending the bonfire you skiers today. The rest of […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Friday, February 9th
The trails took a hit from wet weather last night, but luckily, the Trapper’s Cabin trail is still fully covered with just a few thin spots, which snow doctor George is patching up with the stockpile of man-made snow. The outbound loop is in the best shape, and will be the focus for the snow doctoring efforts. The trail surface is a mix of […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Thursday, February 8th
The snow doctored Trapper’s Cabin Loop is holding up splendidly, as is the practice area. This ~2km trail now is completely covered with a solid base of man-made snow. It was snow combed yesterday, and is in great condition for classic and skating, but no tracks are set. All the rest of the trails are open but have poor conditions. THIS WEEKEND: Plan on […]
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Cross Country Ski Report – Wednesday, February 7th
The snow doctoring team has completed the entire snow-spreading operation on the Trapper’s Cabin Loop. This ~2km trail now is completely covered with a solid base of man-made snow. It was snow combed this morning, and is in great condition for classic and skating, as is the practice area. All the rest of the trails are open but have fair to poor conditions. THIS […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Tuesday, February 6th
The snow doctoring team was hard at work all night spreading snow out onto the trail system. Currently, this man-made snow covers the outbound trail to Trapper’s Cabin, and we hope to have the return leg completed tonight (this will make a ~2km loop). Out and back to Trapper’s Cabin on the outbound loop measures about 1.6km, and is in great condition for skating […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Sunday, February 4th
What a fun and sunny day we had yesterday! We were thrilled to see so many folks out enjoying the snow we still have, and basking in the sunshine on the deck. Conditions remain similar today: The trail doctoring team continued to spread snow last night, so the outbound trail to Trapper’s Cabin has the best conditions, with classic tracks and a nice skate […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Saturday, Feb 3rd
The Snow Doctoring team of Mike and Tony spent the night spreading snow onto the outbound trail to Trapper’s Cabin. This section has been groomed and, along with the Practice Area, has the best conditions. The rest of the trails have seen better days since the warm temps have taken their toll, but most of the trail network is still “skiable”. There are several […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Friday, February 2nd
After a few warm nights, the trails have seen better days, but most of the trail network is still “skiable”. There are several bare spots and some wetter sections starting to form, but most of them can easily be skied around. Skating is not recommended, and classic skiing should be done in the middle of the trail, as the tracks have been worn through […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Wednesday, January 31st
It’s another day of skiing! Coverage is still remarkably good in most areas of the trails, although the classic tracks have worn down to the dirt in some places. Snow Doctor Alex is patching the tracks on Trappers Cabin trail this morning. The skating lanes are still good on Trappers Cabin, Manitou out to the short cut, Mackinaw Cut, Wild Turkey and Blizzard trails, […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Tuesday, January 30th
Good morning! The trails are open today. It did not get much below freezing last night and there is still a lot of moisture in the snow, so we are not grooming today in order to preserve the base for when it does get cold enough at night to groom. The Trappers Cabin, Mackinaw Cut, and Wild Turkey trails will have the best conditions, […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Monday, Jan 29th
It’s weird out there! We received a heavy dusting of snow throughout the day yesterday, which now sits on top of moderately-frozen-but-still-kind-of-wet old snow. Groomer Butch snowcombed the Blizzard, Trappers Cabin, Manitou “short return”, Mackinaw Cut, and Wild Turkey trails this morning. The rest of the trails should only be traversed with metal edged skis until the frozen spots soften up as the weather […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Sunday, January 28th
Many skiers ventured out onto the trails yesterday, and the responses were surprisingly positive: solid snow coverage, good conditions albeit slow due to the moisture in the snow, and a few thin spots starting to open up. We expect the same today. It only got below freezing for a short time last night, so we will not be grooming this morning. Classic skiing will […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Saturday, Jan 27th
We got a little drizzle yesterday afternoon. We did not get nearly as much precipitation as predicted, and much of it has drained from the trail surface. ALL TRAILS ARE OPEN, though conditions are soft. It appears as though most of the trails still have full to mostly full snow coverage, and no bare spots are visible from the trail head. It only got […]
Cross Country Ski Report: Friday, January 26th
It rained last night, so we are closing the trails today to let them properly drain before the weekend. The practice area and the blizzard trail will be open today, but not groomed. After allowing the rain to drain today, we will be open for skiing by Saturday morning. Luckily we have a lot of snow, and the small amount of rain will drain […]
Cross Country Ski Report – Thursday, January 26th
Warmer temps yesterday softened the trail up a little bit, but there is still full coverage on all trails and the practice field. Conditions should be moderate this morning, and turning a little mushy this afternoon. There is approximately 10-16″ of snow in the woods, and about 7-10″ packed on the trails. The Stone Turtle Day Lodge is open for lunch and drinks today. […]
