Crazy, Hard, and Worth It
Why the most challenging ski races often are the most memorable, and why we shouldn’t avoid them. It was 4:45am. I waited, car running, outside my brother’s house. The thermometer read -2F. I sipped my coffee, chased it with water, and double checked my Google map. In two hours, we’d be at the starting line of the most grueling ski race on the Michigan […]
The Spider Bite
How an unsuspecting speedster succumbed to the bite of the Spider Written by XC Ski HQ Shop owner, Mariah Frye Colie Over the years, the HQ crew has developed a deep love for, and loyalty to, a handful of certain skis. These tend to be skis that have a wide application and high enjoyment rate, and whose design is difficult to improve upon. One […]
Event Cancellation Policy
Customer cancellations for events and clinics will not be refunded. Cancellations made over 2 weeks before the event will receive store credit for their ticket purchase. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the event will not receive a refund or store credit. Event tickets are transferable up to 24 hours prior to start of event. If Cross Country Ski Headquarters cancels an event […]
Skin-y Little Secret on Skin Skis
XC SKI HQ Manager and Race Team Member George Frye shares his skin ski breakthrough from the race course last season: Oh, I remember it well… It was the Hanson Hills Classic race last winter and I was skiing on some Fisher Twin Skin Carbon Pros, sized perfectly for my build. I was blown away at how fast they glided on the well packed […]
Cross Country Skiing to Mackinaw Island
The Ice, the Island, and the Adventure Bob and Lynne Frye, of Cross Country Ski Headquarters, ski across the Lake Huron Ice Bridge to Mackinaw Island. As we approached the snowy, bustling parking lot in Michigan’s upper peninsula city of St Ignace, on the shore of Lake Huron, we gazed out over the snow covered ice with Mackinac Island in the background, and saw […]
Cross Country Skis: What’s New this Season + Staff Picks
If you’re wondering about cross country skis, what’s new this season, and what our staff favorites are, you’ve come to the right place! While most of the exciting updates for cross country skis involve race skate skis this season, most cross country skiers are NOT racers; they just want fun, stable skis that get reliable kick and a little bit better glide than their […]
Stay Warm, Look Cool! Picking The Perfect Cross Country Ski Clothing.
With so many options, picking the perfect cross country ski clothing can be overwhelming. Here’s some helpful tips from our clothing expert, Gillian. If you’re anything like me, you run cold. No matter what you seem to do to try to stay warm, you still somehow get cold when you are out cross country skiing. Lucky for you—I have done the trial and error […]
Why Kids Love Cross Country Skiing
Cross country skiing is a wonderful way to get kids outside in the winter time. There are lots of reasons why kids (and parents) love XC skiing: it’s something the whole family can do together, it’s something that will keep them outside getting fresh air and exercise for hours, and they’ll be able to do it their entire lives. XC Ski HQ has everything […]
Best Skate Skis This Season – Stu’s Report
CHECK OUT THE changes in race skis that will getting plenty of buzz this season! Fischer has added TWO different models to their top-end Speedmax 3D Skate line. Adding to their tech-loaded concepts that already include Gliding Sidewalls (marketed “3D” for their three sides that glide) and Cold-Base bonding (which was the catalyst of the original Speedmax introduction), the Speedmax line is adding a […]
Skiing with “the Littles”: How to Cross Country Ski with your kids, and have fun doing it!
Hear from parent experts on how to cross country ski with your kids, and have fun doing it! There is nothing better for outdoors-people than fostering a sense of love for nature in their kids. But how to take them on an XC ski outing that they – and you – will enjoy? Here’s what northern Michigan XC ski parents Tim Riley and Wendy […]
How to Thrive During a Pandemic? Go Cross Country Skiing.
Cross country skiing has routinely been cited as one of the best forms of exercise and recreation that people can do. This winter, more than ever before, XC skiing is uniquely positioned to offer tremendous benefits in health and well-being. Here are just some of the reasons why cross country skiing should be at the top of your list when the snow flies. Nature […]
Do You Need Skin Skis?
Nine years into the skin ski revolution, both the interest from skiers and the selection of skin skis in the market continues to grow. But just because skin skis are growing in popularity, does that mean that they are right for you? Based on our experience as shop owners, and evidenced by our demo center and a multitude of user feedback, we think skiers […]