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!
HHCCSS leads Brumbaugh Cup as of Feb 12, 2026
2/15/2026 5:07:42 AM - By Ernie Brumbaugh
With four races left, two each at the Vasa and Black Mountain, HHCCSS has a 132-point lead over Team NordicSkiRacer.
Michigan Cup standings as of Feb 12, 2026: XCHQ still in lead
2/15/2026 12:00:28 AM - By Mike Muha
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters has a commanding lead over all the other teams with 19,801 points. Over 3,00 points behind in second place is Team NordicSkiRacer, with Grand Rapids Nordic sitting on their tail with 15,075 points.
It's Vasa weekend! Let's Wax!
2/12/2026 5:38:41 AM - By Mike Muha
Toko and Rex wax recommendations for the 2026 North American Vasa.
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.
UPCOMING
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
THU, FEB 26, 2026
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
FRI, FEB 27, 2026
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
SAT, FEB 28, 2026
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Freestyle and Classic Pursuit
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 31K Classic
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, MAR 1, 2026
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Mixed Relay
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 12km Freestyle
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
MON, FEB 16
Forbush Corner: Trails are holding up very well in spite of the recent warmup. Grooming will be limited today to preserve the base. Open 9 to 5.
SUN, FEB 15
Maybury State Park: Perfect day to use your B skis. The base at Maybury is still pretty solid and was very icy this morning. I’m guessing will be slushy this afternoon. Most of the tracks are decent except that people have walked on them and the sun doesn’t help. I saw one other skier out there this morning. Enjoy the natural snow while you can!
Vasa Trail: Absolutely gorgeous morning and amazing grooming. The snow that was compacted and icy from yesterday’s warm up was transformed into perfect conditions for skating. Tracks looked great as well for striding. Should be great another great day for the Vasa races.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Mike is out snowcombing the skate lanes, and the tracks are still mostly in good shape, albeit a little glazed over here and there. Should be a fun day for getting out in the winter woods!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am
Groomer Dan is out this morning laying fresh corduroy on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93, keeping the trail system in great shape.
Vasa Trail: Best ever Vasa trail for North American Vasa race
SAT, FEB 14
Shanty Creek - Schuss Mtn: Pine Cone loop (red markers) in fantastic shape with solid classic tracks and a great corduroy skate deck. Multi-Purpose Trail (orange markers) was very skate-able too, though sad to not see any fat tire tracks. The old Poets Loop (blue markers) was mostly groomed (classic & skate) because of the White Pine Stampede last weekend. The hilly cul-de-sac section west of Del Mason Rd was snowmobiled but not groomed - I should not have attempted:)
Winter Brook loop was in stunning shape, this is really a blue square (not black diamond though hilly). Even the east section of Mountain Creek from Pine Cone to the Yellow Lift was great and pretty as it follows the Cedar River. Glad to see some investment in XC at Schuss.
https://www.shantycreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nordic-Map-2022-Online.pdf
Grass River Nature Area: Groomed classic tracks on the rail trail in good condition in both directions (to Bliss Rd west and Cedar Lane/Comfort Rd to the east). Edges were not as packed so keep your pile plants closer in, but so nice to have a pretty 4 mile out and back groomed trail. The hiking trails that connect might have been groomed too but I did not have time to check them out.
Vasa Trail: Fabulous conditions prevailed at the Vasa 28k today. Track was firm, skate deck solid and fast. It just doesn’t get any better. Forerunners got all the debris out of the trail, volunteers everywhere and to top it off, sunshine!!
Vasa Trail: Spectacular grooming today for the 50th North American Vasa! Deep snow, great skate deck and deep classic tracks. It's warming up fast, so get out and ski while you can.
Stokely Creek: Primo tracks early. Snow was a little slow since it was still totally new snow getting near freezing point for the first time. Sunday could be a little glazed and fast if they lay off grooming or back to creamy smooth if they regroom. Saw evidence of an animal, one wearing skis, take a big piss right in the middle of the trail. The wolves have better manners than that and only mark on the edges.
Boyne Mountain: It's a beautiful day to ski! Trails are in good shape, both for classic and skate. We're grooming late this afternoon for tomorrow.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The sun is out and the skiing is great! We groomed everything this morning, and aside from a few leaves here and there, the trails are wonderful! Come ski with us!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Love the Valentine's Day Buck's Snow and the track to the parking. Like a sweet marshmallow. Definitely worth five bucks.
Winter returns next week.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing skate lanes across the entire trail system, keeping conditions dialed in for the day.
*Wilderness received fresh tracks yesterday.
More trail reports...
