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Forbush Corner Nordic

Expanding Year-Round Outdoor Recreation in Northern Michigan

Glide the Snow, Ride the Dirt.

Tucked in the Pines: Phase 2 Skills Park & Jump Line Now Open!

MTB Trail development

Trail Update  |  Gaylord / Frederic, MI

Tucked away in the serene pines of Forbush Corner Nordic Cross Country Ski Center, a newly opened recreational outlet is now ready to develop and hone the skills of mountain bikers across the region. With Phase 2 officially open, riders can experience a brand-new Skills Park Loop and Jump Line designed for all skill levels.

Forbush Corner Board of Trustees Treasurer Ann Wager shared that the newly completed skills park ties directly into the center’s existing singletrack network. It was created specifically to provide an accessible, progressive recreational outlet—offering feature options for riders looking to push their limits or simply enjoy a smooth, confidence-building roll.

What’s New in Phase 2?

Located adjacent to the pond near the Lil Coaster ski trail, Phase 2 features several exciting additions accessible via two short connectors from the main singletrack or a short pedal on the wide valley trail section:

  • The Skills Park Loop: Intended to be ridden counterclockwise, this feature-rich loop is fairly long and includes a technical rock garden and several wooden features designed to elevate your bike handling abilities. Need to practice a specific move? A halfway loop-back option allows quick return access to the rock garden. Best of all, all features include ride-arounds for progressive learning.
  • The Jump Line: Built for riders seeking airtime, this line features berms, drops, and two large tabletop jumps. A dedicated return path at the bottom lets you head right back to the top or link back into the Skills Park.
  • Future Connections: Work is already underway on a beginner-friendly singletrack connection to make navigating the network even easier.

Building on a Strong Foundation: Phase 1 Legacy

Phase 2 builds upon the successful launch of Forbush Corner’s Phase 1 mountain bike trail. Developed in partnership with Flowtrack MTB—one of the Midwest’s premier trail builders—Phase 1 established the initial 1.8-mile singletrack loop built strictly to International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) standards.

Featuring fast rollers, flowy berms, downhill lines, and even creative art installations along the route, Phase 1 set a high benchmark for sustainable, world-class trail construction in the Gaylord-Grayling region.

$400,000 Campaign for 8 Miles of Trails

These developments are part of an ambitious total campaign goal of $400,000 to fund approximately eight miles of professionally built trails designed for riders of all abilities.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the key community supporters and sponsors who made this vision possible:

• Grayling Visitors Bureau
• MTGA Catalyst Fund
• Weyerhaeuser
• Paddlehard Brewing
• Northbound Outfitters
• The Brook Retirement Community

Help Us Build the Future of Forbush Trails

As Forbush Corner Nordic continues applying for grants to fund future expansion phases, we invite community members and cycling enthusiasts to help bring this multi-use vision to life. Your contributions directly support sustainable, professionally built trails that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

Support the Mountain Bike Trail Fund

Donate via PayPal

Or mail a check payable to: Forbush Corner Nordic
PO Box 118, Gaylord, MI 49734

Winter Time Memories

It has been just over a month since the snow finally cleared from the trails here at Forbush Corner. As we transition into the warmer months, we find ourselves looking back on a season filled with incredible memories—all thanks to a fantastic combination of Mother Nature’s natural snowfall and our state-of-the-art Forbush Snowmaking system.

Because of this powerful combination and our dedicated grooming crew, we proudly provided 85+ days of premium skiing this winter. It was a joy to see our trails bustling with energy; this season, many of our veteran Forbush skiers were joined by a wave of new faces discovering the joy of winter recreation.

A Vibrant Hub for Community and Events

From the high-stakes excitement of race days to the laughter echoing from our PSIA-certified ski school, this winter reminded us of the magic that happens when people connect on the snow. Guided by the heritage of our late founder, Dave Forbush, we watched strangers arrive, connect, and leave as lifelong friends.

Beyond daily recreational skiing, our calendar was packed with events that brought athletes and outdoor enthusiasts together:

  • Three Michigan Cup Races: Showcasing elite Nordic talent and spirited competition on our premier trail system.
  • The Winter Triathlon: Pushing athletes to their limits in an exhilarating multi-sport winter challenge.
  • The Moonlight Snowshoe 5K: A magical evening trek through our beautifully lit winter woods.
Inspiring the Next Generation

We were especially thrilled to introduce new generations and local groups to our trails this year. Forbush Corner proudly welcomed:

  • The Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
  • Students from Gaylord Middle School, who brought incredible energy to the snow.
  • Countless skiers of all ages who took advantage of our lessons and clinics to sharpen their skills and build confidence on the snow.
Looking to the Future

Thank you to our skiers, volunteers, and supporters for making this a winter to remember. While the snow may be gone for now, our work behind the scenes never stops. We invite you to stay tuned, stay connected, and help us build an even brighter, multi-season future for Forbush Corner.

See you on the trails!

Forbush Corner Nordic

XC skiing with snowmaking, snowshoeing, and mountain bike trails. Donations support grooming, trail maintenance, and programs, ensuring year-round recreation for all ages. Give today.

A special thanks to our corporate sponsor,
Contact Information

Telephone: 989.889.2843

Email: info@forbushcorner.com

PO Box 118, Gaylord, MI 49734