Happy 50th Anniversary Cross Country Ski Shop! Northbound Outfitters purchased the Cross Country Ski Shop in the fall of 2011 from owner Dick Fultz and looked forward to carrying on his 34-year presence in the Grayling community. And they did!
Northbound Outfitters / Cross Country Ski Shop owner Heather Compton received a plaque from the Michigan Cup that she awarded to Dick in honor of his founding the Cross Country Ski Shop 50 years ago. And it was party party party at the store after the Cote Dame Marie!
2026 Olympian Sophia Tsu Velicer raced in 2011 North American Vasa
2/10/2026 12:00:25 AM - By Mike Muha
Sophia Tsu Velicer, representing Chinese Taipei, just finished 52nd in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.
Jorden Wakeley and Rebecca Davis win Forbush Memorial Classic
2/9/2026 4:00:00 AM - By Mike Muha
It was a Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop day, with the team taking both wins and 4 of the 6 podium spots.
Vanias and Wakeley top the 2026 White Pine Stampede
2/9/2026 2:00:00 AM - By Mike Muha
Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop skiers Kaitlyn Vanias and Jorden Wakely took the top spots in the 40km White Pine Stampede.
Headquarters in the lead! Beckham, Temkin, Davis and Davis top skiers
2/5/2026 3:00:00 PM - By Mike Muha
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters has a commanding lead over all the other teams in the Michigan Cup. Beckham Haberkorn and Shirel Temkin lead the juniors; Rebecca and Michael Davis lead the seniors. And welcome Crystal Nordic!
Wax recommendations: White Pine Stampede and Forbush Classic
2/5/2026 1:00:25 PM - By Mike Muha
Another cold weekend! See the wax recommendations for the White Pine Stampede and Forbush Memorial Classic. Get waxing!
North American Vasa is on as Trail Conditions reach peak
2/5/2026 3:00:54 AM - By Libby Schnepf
The 50th Annual North American Vasa Festival of Races, presented by TVC, is on, and organizers report trail conditions are shaping up for race weekend, February 14–15, 2026, at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, MI.
The Family Davis: MI Cup Classic Champions at Hanson Hills
2/3/2026 3:23:14 AM - By Mike Muha
Rebecca Davis and Michael Davis ski away from the field to become the 2026 Michigan Cup Classic Champions!
Rebecca Davis and Ryan Harris win MI Cup Champion Freestyle
2/3/2026 12:00:08 AM - By Mike Muha
Rebecca Davis dominated the women and Ryan Harris skied away from the pack at Forbush Corner during 2026 Forbush Freestyle / Michigan Cup Freestyle Championships.
Wax recommendations for the Forbush Freestyle and Hanson Hills Classic
1/29/2026 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED! Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup Championship races! Should be great snow conditions but a bit on the cold side...especially on Saturday.
Updated Michigan Cup JUNIOR standings
1/26/2026 10:00:00 AM - By Mike Muha
Points Keeper Ken Dawson has updated the current individual JUNIOR standings: "I included the latest Michigan Cup results for juniors that include Flying Squirrel and Beech Nuts races."
RESULTS: 2026 Beech Nuts Junior Nordic Race
1/26/2026 4:00:00 AM - By Mike Muha
Thirty-two juniors raced in the 2026 Beech Nuts Junior Nordic Race at Nubs Nob. The race is part of the Baic Cup for the best Junior Team on the Michigan Cup Race Series.
RESULTS: Flying Squirrel racers and tough conditions
1/24/2026 3:00:00 AM - By Beth Major
The race dawned with a foot of heavy new snow on both the JACK RABBIT 3.5k and FLYING SQUIRREL 5k racecourses. Middle and High School skiers from Nubs Nob, Vasa Raptor and Crystal Nordic teams showed their grit and strength in these tough conditions. (Video and results)
UPCOMING
TUE, FEB 10, 2026
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's/Women's Sprint qual.+ final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
THU, FEB 12, 2026
2026 Winter Olympics - 10 km freestyle women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
FRI, FEB 13, 2026
Winter Fest Kick-Off
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
2026 Winter Olympics - 10 km freestyle men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
SAT, FEB 14, 2026
50th Annual North American Vasa Freestyle
Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 E. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
Loppet Junior Qualifier & SuperTour (JNQ) - Classic Mass Start
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Nordic Ski Junior Racers training session (Team NordicSkiRacer)
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
2026 Winter Olympics - Women's 4x7.5 km Relay
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
SUN, FEB 15, 2026
Loppet Junior Qualifier & SuperTour (JNQ) - Freestyle Individual Star
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
50th Annual North American Vasa Classic
Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 E. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's 4x7.5 km Relay
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
MON, FEB 16, 2026
Gourmet Mac ‘n Cheese Bar
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
WED, FEB 18, 2026
American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Open Track
Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - Team Sprint Women's/Men's Qual.+ Final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
FRI, FEB 20, 2026
Kortelopet 29K Race
Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center, 12205 County Hwy-B W, Hayward, WI 54843 (OO Trailhead)
Prince Haakon 15K
Phipps Road, north of Hayward, WI
SAT, FEB 21, 2026
American Birkebeiner 53k Classic Race / 50k Skate Race
Cable to Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Ribs and Blues Celebration!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, FEB 22, 2026
33rd Annual Junior Muffin Race
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
TUE, FEB 24, 2026
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
WED, FEB 25, 2026
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
TUE, FEB 10
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning Snow Lovers!! We got quite a bit of snow overnight, but it's shaping up to be a fantastic day (but isn't it always if you're up here skiing?!). The temperature right now is -4 C.
The groomer is currently out -- the Pinder system is complete, both classic and skate, he is currently on the 2k lighted. The Red Pine and Crystal systems will follow. All systems Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate.
Mabel Hills is now open as of yesterday afternoon :)
Have a great Tuesday....come on up and enjoy this awesome day!
MON, FEB 9
Independance Oaks: All trails freshly rolled this morning. No classic trax to speak of. Slightly softer with temps up to 25 degrees. Saw a pair of Asnes wood skis gliding through the woods. The good old days.
Forbush Corner: Excellent grooming, great snow
Forbush Corner:
Hanson Hills: After yesterday’s -14F start in the Forbush Classic, today’s balmy skate at Hanson at 28 degrees almost felt tropical. Flew around the red trail on immaculately groomed system. A few leaves on the skate deck which caught me on an uphill ( ugly) but not an issue elsewhere. Tracks were concentrating the leaves. I wish I knew what was on my skis as I was flying. Thank you for the excellent ski!!
Hanson Hills: Best grooming of the season. First tracks after 10 am every trail. Immaculate conditions today and great last week. Feeling so blessed to skate ski at Hanson this year!!!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After a great weekend of skiing, we're ready to get back at it! Groomer Butch is out freshening up all the trails and this week surely looks warmer than the last, with good skiing ahead!
Hiawatha Highlands: It's Monday morning....we hope everybody had a great weekend! The temperature right now is -11 C, with no snow overnight.
Due to the cold temperatures overnight, keeping the trails stable, no grooming was done.
In the words of the groomer, "the skate lanes and tracks are in immaculate shape."
Now, I'm no expert, but I am pretty sure that we'll never look back thinking "we went skiing too much!" So come on up and enjoy another fantastic day on the trails :)
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM. Grooming operations are underway this morning with fresh corduroy being laid on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93—great conditions to start the week.
Forbush Corner: After a very busy day yesterday, east trails and pines loop were regroomed after the classic race. The west side will get the fresh groom today along with the 240 loop. Conditions continue to be the best ever. Open 9 to 5 today. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday per usual.
SUN, FEB 8
Huron Meadows Metropark: 20° and no wind at noon. Clear blue sky and fresh groom on Coyote Run and Hawk Hills. Most of trail had clean, deep packed powder track, short stretches of grass or blown in oak leaves, mostly avoidable in open areas. I used Rode super blue 1st, later Swix purple as bright sun warmed the track. Still by 4 PM, 24°, the snow remained dry and fast. Warm shop with helpful ppl, clean bathrooms, large seating area for resting, eating; I bought a year pass! 12.5miles/20.1km
Vasa Trail: Lots of skiers were enjoying the Piston Bully groomed trails from Timber Ridge this afternoon, esp as the temps reached 20 in the sunshine. It was a great day gliding in the classic tracks on skins. Vasa weekend is coming up 2/14-2/15, so get registered to race or volunteer. You don’t want to miss the fun!
Vasa Trail: Plenty of happily sun-drenched skiers were out today as evidence by the parking lot being 95% full after my late morning ski. Trails were as good as they've ever been this year with another full PistenBully grooming of both the skate lane and resetting the classic tracks. Temps were 13F at my start, probably 5-10 degrees colder than that in the woods that holds the cold overnight temps, but skating was surprisingly fast as your skis are mainly riding the frosty crest of the corduroy wales. LF7 worked well. Hoping in the classic tracks on the downhills was super fast. It seems like most of the skiers I chatted with in Lombard's Lodge are planning on racing the Vasa next weekend, one skier actually doing both the Saturday 12K freestyle, then the Sunday 15K classic for the first time, another skier doing his first 50K classic in many years. At noon finish the temps were 20F but in the sun felt warmer than that.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Near perfect conditions Bucks run has a groomed skate deck and perfect classic tracks. Classic tracks good all the way around Hawk hills. Hawk hills is skateable but hasn’t been groomed in a couple days. Great skiing big thanks to the groomers.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: All trails open with fresh grooming! Come on out!
Corsair Ski Trails: Saturday evening update: The Silver Valley and Corsair trail sections have just been graded and new tracks have been set. Groomers Dan and Karl will be back out early Sunday morning to have the Wright’s Lake section completed by 10am. The trails are in great shape!
Forbush Corner: Memorial Race Day for Mike Keenan! Classic technique so the race course is groomed with two tracks for best line. The race should be finished by noon, and the course will be regroomed for skating and classic. Open 9 to 5.
More trail reports...
