Sunday, Feb 9th – 11:00am: Learn to Skate Ski Clinic
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 ski lesson. Cost for the clinic is $20. Ski rentals are available at our normal rates. The lesson starts at 11:00am, and skiers are welcome to pick up […]
Friday, Feb 14th – 10:00am to 5:30pm: Winter Fest Kick-Off
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 […]
Saturday, Feb 15th – 10:30am: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
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 […]
Saturday, Feb 15th to Monday, Feb 17th – Noon to 4:00pm: Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
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!
Saturday, Feb 22nd – 10:30am: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
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 […]
Saturday, February 22nd – 1:00pm: Ribs and Blues 50th Anniversary Party Costume Party!
Help us celebrate 50 years of Nordic Spirit! Join us for our famous ribs, incredible live blues music from Rhett’s Eastside Blues Band, and MUCH merriment. Come dressed in your favorite vintage ski costume from any decade, OR as your favorite snowy animal! Raise a glass with us as we kick off another 50 years.
Sunday, Feb 23rd: 32nd Annual Junior Muffin Race
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, totaling […]
Saturday, March 1st – 10:30am: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
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 […]
Saturday, March 8th – 10:30am: Free Beginner Ski Lesson
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 […]
Sunday, March 9th – 9:30am: Michigan Cup Relays at XC Ski HQ
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 […]
Coming Up: The Labor Day Weekend Sale!
Ski Season is on the horizon! Between fresh inventory rolling in, and strong stock in existing gear, the harvest is bountiful this year. The Labor Day Weekend Sale is the best time to get outfitted for winter, due to the great prices and vast selection. Don’t miss this flagship sales event! Cross Country Ski Headquarters is proud to offer one of the largest selections […]
Why We’re Here – On Nature, Skiing, and Our Mission
The allure of summer in Northern Michigan is undeniable, with crystal lakes and rivers, bountiful food and foliage, and the Cross County Ski Headquarters trails bustling with wildlife. This vivid aliveness envelops us in a warm, inescapable embrace. We are constantly beckoned to be outdoors, to feel the breeze in our hair, our feet on the earth, and sun on our skin. Why does […]
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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