Here's the pre-Thanksgiving cross country ski trail report...

Forbush Corner: Nov 26, 10 am, 31 deg, cloudy. Snow expected tomorrow thru the weekend. Should be ideal skiing for the weekend with plenty of snow and pleasant temps. The new guy, Steve, will begin the preparation of the snow today. Give me a call if you would like to ski Thursday afternoon. 989.348.5989 The plan is to be open on Thursday afternoon, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Hanson Hills: November 25, 2008: Select Trails are being rolled today. Snow is pretty wet and packy.

XC Ski Headquarters: We received a good 6 inches of heavy wet snow yesterday. Packed all trails last night to make a great base. Snow is too wet to groom or set tracks. Ski conditions are good with no tracks set on the private land trails (Blizzard, Wild Turkey and Adventure). As the night temps get cooler we will have better grooming. Firearm deer season continues till Dec 1. Wear orange while in the forest.

Happy Thanksgiving!

XC Ski Headquarters is reporting, "Trails ended up being better than hoped for! You do not need your "rock' skis after all. Good conditions but not enough snow to set tracks. Blizzard, Adventure and Wild Turkey trails are mostly on HQ private land so the deer hunters should not complain too much. Be sure to wear orange clothing anyway!"

Forbush Corner's report..."Nov 23, 8 am. 19 deg. Single digit cold last night but it supposed to climb and be pleasant this afternoon. For an opening weekend, the ski conditions were very very nice. Expecting similar conditions today. Closed tomorrow (or call: 989.348.5989). Open Thursday afternoon at 1:30 pm, F,S, & S - open at 9 am.

Nov 22, 4:30 pm. It turned into a beautiful day of skiing. The third grooming with the steel plate on the skate area was a charm. The tracks although they were shallow were much appreciated. A very good turnout for a last minute opening. Thanks to all that visited today. "

Hanson Hills..."November 24, 2008: Trails have not been groomed. We are expecting 4-6 inches of new snow today. We will be rolling trails on Tuesday."

The weather forecast is for some snow accumulation for the next couple of days and remaining cold.

It's been a terrific ski season! Have a safe and fun summer - plan to attend some of the area's special events this summer.

Temperatures are beginning to warm a bit, but snow is still being predicted a few times this week. We still have lots of snow on the ground.

Forbush Corner: Weekend couldn't be looking better. It appears that it will be full on winter.

Hanson Hills: Trails were groomed yesterday (Monday) and they'll be grooming again after this current snowfall.

XC Ski Headquarters: Today 3/25/08 Kevin will start grooming the new snow st 9:30AM. All trails will have freshly set deep tracks (3/25/08). Classic conditions are excellent. All trails will have freshly snowcombed skating lanes. Skating conditions are soft but good.

Weather forecast:
Today: Periods of snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. High near 37. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tonight: Scattered snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. West wind around 5 mph becoming north.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Sunday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Monday: A chance of snow or rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

According to NOAA, we have 10-12 inches of snow remaining. Much of it is crusty or icy. See below individual reports.

Forbush Corner: We still have our excellent base. Should be another great weekend ahead! Check here (http://www.forbushcorner.com/latest.phtml) to see if we will be open this Friday. It is the time of year when we pull out all the stops to save the snow for the weekend. At this point, it looks like we will be open on Friday. Only two more weekends left in the season as March 30th will be the last day. In the past, we have had snow well into April but people just stop coming. Difficult to compete with the green grass of home.

Hanson Hills: Trails are in good condition. Get your Spring skiing in.. Lodge will no longer be open on the weekends. Hanson Hills Recreation Area and Northwood's Archery Club has partnered up to provide a year round Indoor Archery Range; Adult and Youth Leagues. Tentative date for Range opening March 30, 2008

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails will be Ginzu track set today starting at 9:30AM (3/19/2008). All 8 trails will be Ginzu snowcombed today starting at 9:30AM (3/19/2008).

Hanson Hills: All trails are groomed and skiable.

XC Ski Headquarters...All 8 trails have freshly (3/14/08) set tracks and conditions are very good. All 8 trails have (3/14/08) snowcombed skating lanes and conditions are very good.

The weather report is as follows: Today: A slight chance of rain and snow showers between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 43. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: Scattered snow showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: Scattered snow showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 36. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Monday Night: A chance of snow or rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Tuesday: A chance of snow or rain. Cloudy, with a high near 38.

Tuesday Night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 20.

Wednesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

We had rain this morning (Monday), and it has now changed over to snow. I'll have to update again later this week after we see how the weather shakes out.

Forbush Corner: Get ready for the "Wearing o' the Green" March 15, Saturday, 6 pm, Ramada Inn, Grayling. Featuring Irish Drink Specials, Irish Buffet (Shepherd's Pie, Irish Stew, Boiled Dinner, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Parsley, Boiled Potatos, Sweet peas & Onions, Cole Slaw, Rolls & Butter, Creme de Menthe Pie PLUS The Michigan Singers & more And Harpist Kelly Yousofian. SPECIAL DEAL for Forbush Corner Skiers. The regular price for the above is $27.50 but with a trail pass (season or day pass), the price lowers to $23! HOWEVER, we must know if you will be attending by next weekend. Don't miss this event. Should be a fantastic weekend!

Hanson Hills: All trails groomed with set track. 3/2/08

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have (3/02/08) set tracks and conditons are very good. All 8 trails have (3/02/08) snowcombed skating lanes and conditons are very good. This afternoon things will probably get icy. Morning skiing is the best bet.

Weather: This Afternoon: Periods of rain and snow, becoming all snow after 1pm. Temperature falling to around 29 by 5pm. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Scattered flurries before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. North wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11.

Friday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20.

Friday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1.

Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.

Trails continue to be in great shape - Until Sunday, the weather will remain cold with periodic snowfall. On Sunday, temps are predicted to reach the low 40s with possible rain or freezing rain. I won't be updating this site again until next week - we'll be at the Novi Outdoorama Show from Thursday thru Sunday. If you can get up here skiing Friday or Saturday, it looks to be a wonderful ski!

Forbush Corner: Snowing most of the morning. Snow is expected to continue thru the week. Should be another great weekend ahead.

Hanson Hills: Trails are in great shape. Everything is groomed with set track.

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have freshly (2/27/08) set tracks and conditions are excellent. All 8 trails have freshly (2/27/08) snowcombed skating lanes and conditions are excellent. Cajun Gumbo Music Fest - March 2, 2008 - Sunday 2 PM
Cajun Gumbo Music Fest - Feast on Pat and Bob Hagerman’s famous New Orleans Cajun Gumbo over rice. Add the File Powder and Hot Sauce to taste. Enjoy some of the best live music North of Lansing by the Catch and Release Blues Band. $5 per Cajun! Reservations appreciated. Please call: 800 832 2663 or email skibones@aol.com Bring your own instrument to join the Jam Session later in the afternoon.

Trails are in great shape and it looks like it's going to be a super weekend to ski! See below for details and special events.

Forbush Corner: The weather sounds the best that it has in a while with a high today of 24 and a chance of snow and highs Sat & Sun of 26 and 33. You won't want to miss this weekend.

Hanson Hills: February 23 is the "Ski For the Groomer" xc ski race. Trails are in great shape - freshly rolled and set track.

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have freshly (2/22/08) set tracks and conditions are excellent. All 8 trails have freshly (2/22/2008) snowcombed skating lanes and conditions are excellent. February 23, 2008 Saturday 4 PM, Saturday 4 PM "Learn to ski free" for kids and adults. Learn the basics or fine tune your X-C skiing skills while having a great time. Sign in at the rental desk at 3:45. This program is free and includes Traditional and Skate Skiing. There is a nominal rental charge for those without equipment. Conditions permitting.

February 24, 2008 - Sunday 10 AM - 15th Annual Junior Muffin Race Duathalon Classic / Freestyle. Junior Girls & Boys Duathalon race; distance to be determined by coaches on race day. Skiers will classic ski the first 1/2 of the race then ski freestyle the 2nd 1/2 of the race. Registration begins at 10:00 AM Sunday. The start will be as close to 11 AM as registration allows. This is a Michigan Cup Junior Race. Medals will be awarded in 3 divisions to the top 3 finishers in the girls and boys races. After the 8 km Senior Muffin Division Duathalon races there will be 2 Junior Muffin freestyle races: Ages 6 years and under and 7 to 10. There will be no entry fee for these 10 and under racers and all racers will be awarded a medal! There is a $10 entry fee for the Senior Racers (11 and older) and it includes a Pig Roast Lunch. The Pig Roast is $5 for anyone else who might be hungry too. All racers and family members who partake in the Pig Roast will also receive a complimentary 1 day XC SKI HQ facilities pass.

Forbush Corner: open again on Friday - conditions report later in the week.

Hanson Hills: Trails are open!! We held up well to the freezing rain. Groomers are out and some track will be set today.

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have freshly (2/19/08) set tracks and conditions are excellent. All 8 trails have freshly (2/19/2008) snowcombed skating lanes and conditions are excellent.

Trails are in great shape and the forecast is predicting continuing cold temps and more snow. What else do I need to add? Okay, I'll give some details from...

Forbush Corner: Expecting another major snow storm today. Will start the tilling tonight and track it in the morning. Hoping to be open at noon on Friday but if you are interested in skiing earlier, go ahead and you can settle up when I return. This is Presidents Weekend and so we will also be open on Monday.

Hanson Hills: Red, Yellow and Brown Trails have fresh skating lanes today. Set track on everything except RED. Excellent Conditions.

XC Ski Headquarters: Groomer Kevin started grooming today (2/14/2008) at 6 AM. All 8 trails have deep Ginzu set tracks and the classic skiing is excellent. All 8 trails have freshly (2/14/2008) Ginsu snowcombed skating lanes and the skate skiing is excellent.
Learn to Ski Free on Feb 16, 2008 Saturday 4 PM
For kids and adults. Learn the basics or fine tune your X-C skiing skills while having a great time. Sign in at the rental desk at 3:45. This program is free and includes Traditional and Skate Skiing. There is a nominal rental charge for those without equipment. Conditions permitting.

Trails are looking terrific - weather reports are favorable. Friday highs reaching 30, Saturday 29 degrees, Sunday 13 degrees. Snow flurries predicted daily.

Forbush Corner: Looking like another great weekend ahead.
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.It will be a great weekend for Lessons as Mario Kennedy will be available for both skating and classical instruction. A little technique brush up does all of us good. Not only do we ski faster with less effort but it keeps our interest high and makes the sport much more fun. Mario is great with all levels of ability. Don't be shy; give your body a break and get a lesson.

Hanson Hills: Trails are in great shape. Everything groomed with set track.

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have freshly (2/7/2006) deep Ginzu set and the classic skiing is excellent. All 8 trails have freshly (2/7/2008) Ginsu snowcombed skating lanes and the skate skiing is excellent. Learn to Ski Free - Feb 9, 2008, Saturday 4 PM
For kids and adults. Learn the basics or fine tune your X-C skiing skills while having a great time. Sign in at the rental desk at 3:45. This program is free and includes Traditional and Skate Skiing. There is a nominal rental charge for those without equipment. Conditions permitting.

Trails are being groomed and are in good shape for the week!

Today: Areas of fog before 1pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 35. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Periods of snow. Low around 22. North wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Wednesday: Periods of snow, mainly before 1pm. High near 26. Northeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 12. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. South wind between 5 and 15 mph.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 16.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 30.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.

Sunday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18.

Forbush Corner: Snowing with vigor! Expected to get several inches more. Will start the grooming in a few minutes. The plan is to be open about noon. High temps for today is 27, Saturday 29 and Sunday 32. Sounds like a great weekend!

Hanson Hills: We are receiving snowfall, all trails were rolled this morning. No set track at this time.
Winter Fun Days schedule is as follows: Sat. & Sun.Feb.2 & 3
Saturday Event Schedule: Free Lift Tickets & Nordic Trail Passes: 11am-8pm

Big Air Competition (Sponsored by Municipal Underwriters & Dr. Doug Slater): Practice Starts @ 12:00pm Comp @ 2:00pm

TUG of WAR 4:00pm

Marshmallow Roast @ 7:00 pm

Sunday Event Schedule: Free Lift Tickets & Nordic Trail Passes: 11am-5pm

MI-CUP SPRINTS (X/C Ski Event) @ 10:00am (Archery Building)

Chili Cook Off (Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary): 12:00pm-2:00pm

Cardboard Sled Box Race (Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 995) @ 1:00pm

SWIM SUIT SLALOM @ 3:00pm

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have fresh (2/1/2008) Ginzu Tracks set and the classic skiing is very good. All 8 trails have fresh (2/1/2008) Ginzu snowcombed skating lanes and the skate skiing is very good.

For those of you who don't want to look up the forecast...
This Afternoon: Snow likely and possibly mixed with freezing drizzle. Cloudy, with a high near 32. East wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tonight: Scattered snow showers before 10pm. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 28. West northwest wind between 8 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. West southwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. West southwest wind around 8 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind around 6 mph.

Everyone is working hard at grooming the trails to get them back in shape after this last storm, which caused a lot of drifting. See below for details.

Forbush Corner: Gained a few more inches of snow. More snow expected. Drifted.
Sounds like an ideal weekend ahead. 100% chance of snow on Friday but only 1 to 2 inches more; high of 25. Saturday's high of 25 with only scattered snow showers and Sunday is expected to be sunny with a high of 31. Planning on opening Friday afternoon thru Sunday. You won't want to miss this weekend!

Hanson Hills: Trails closed today to groom the trails, which were heavily drifted. Winter Fun Days schedule is as follows:
Saturday Event Schedule: Free Lift Tickets & Nordic Trail Passes: 11am-8pm

Big Air Competition (Sponsored by Municipal Underwriters & Dr. Doug Slater): Practice Starts @ 12:00pm Comp @ 2:00pm

TUG of WAR 4:00pm

Marshmallow Roast @ 7:00 pm

Sunday Event Schedule: Free Lift Tickets & Nordic Trail Passes: 11am-5pm

MI-CUP SPRINTS (X/C Ski Event) @ 10:00am (Archery Building)

Chili Cook Off (Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary): 12:00pm-2:00pm

Cardboard Sled Box Race (Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 995) @ 1:00pm

SWIM SUIT SLALOM @ 3:00pm

XC Ski Headquarters: All 8 trails have fresh (1/31/2008) Ginzu Tracks set and the classic skiing is very good. All 8 trails have fresh (1/31/2008) Ginzu snowcombed skating lanes and the skate skiing is very good.