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!
ATTENTION – Cold Weather Protocols in place. Please review below! Junior Noque may cancel. 50k may postpone.
The leaders of the Michigan Cup have largely remained the same, but there are several strong racers who have not yet completed five races. Who are we watching?
The snow and racing were excellent at the 2026 Nub's Nob Classic on the three-lap course on the upper cross country ski trails at Nub's Nob.
Jorden Wakeley (Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop) and Erica O'Hearn (Vasa Ski Club) showed who's boss - both skied away from the competition.
Northbound Outfitters / Cross Country Ski Shop will be having party immediately after the Cote Dame Marie Loppet, with special star, Dick Fultz! The shop turns 50 and Dick will be receiving a special plaque on behalf of the shop in celebration of the wonderful shop.
Toko and Rex wax recommendations for Saturday's Cote Dame Marie, and Sunday's Nub's Nob Classic 5k & 12k and CCSC Flying Squirrel Nordic races.
We are five races into the 2025-2026 Michigan Cup season - one junior race and four senior races - and Ken Dawson has released the individual standings to date.
NEW DATES! Last year, Team NordicSkiRacer volunteers assisted students from the Detroit Public Schools with learning how to cross country ski. We're looking for volunteers for this year!
Join us for an informal race around the Trapper’s Cabin Loop and help support Reid Goble, Michigan’s U.S. SuperTour Series and International cross-country ski racer!
The Swix World Cup series has been built on the principle that you’ll always find the right wax if you follow three steps: first, identify the snow type, then check the humidity, and finally, the temperature.
Toko Giveaway Contest finishes at the end of Thursday, Jan 15! Get your free entry in for a chance to win one each of Toko Jet Liquid Blue, Red, and Yellow, a $405 value!
We are excited to welcome you back to Hanson Hills for the Cote Dame Marie Ski Loppet on Saturday, January 17th! Trail conditions are looking great, and we can’t wait to host another memorable race day with all of you.
Junior Noque
Al Quall Recreation Area, Ishpeming, MI
Great Lakes Division Junior National Qualifier - Freestyle Individual Start
Ariens Nordic Center, Brillion, WI
Noquemanon Ski Marathon
Ishpeming, MI
FLASH RACE to support Reid Goble
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Bavarian Ski Festival
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Great Lakes Division Junior National Qualifier - Classic Individual Start / Mixed Relay
Ariens Nordic Center, Brillion, WI
Beech Nuts Junior Nordic Race
Nub's Nob, 500 Nub’s Nob Road, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Learn to Skate Ski Clinic
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Winter Feast
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Middle Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Forbush Freestyle
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Short Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Meijer State Games - Hanson Hills Classic
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, Michigan 49738 (989-348-9266)
Paella on the Sun Deck (noon and 2:00pm)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Live Music with Kat and Wil (2:00-4:00)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Kat & Logan Live (2:00-4:00)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Relay Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Long Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Long Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Independance Oaks: Skate skiing was good! Seems like the park rolled the trails prior to the morning snow or during it. At noon the base was packed but there was about 2 inches of fresh snow on top. Made for some decent skating and a few classic skiers were setting tracks. Best conditions I have seen there this year just a little slow due to the fresh snow. Should be even faster tomorrow.
Reindeer Run Nordic Center: It's true! Cross country skiing is fun. Especially when the snow is great.
Skiing is believing even on snowmobile trails or just plain back country.
Enjoy winter
Ski everywhere on leelanau county
Vasa Trail: When my 2 yr. old granddaughter gets annoyed at me she says "no papa, walk away". Well, if you were skiing the Vasa trail today and had any complaints I would say "no skier, ski somewhere else". With a fresh groom by Piper (the 2nd time this week) the trail condition were awesome, or as a upcoming Vasa skier would say "race ready". Trail and snow conditions are the best in years so take advantage of this year to participate in the Vasa race. Not a racer, no problem, we have a 6k tour on Sunday with no times or placements. Just fun skiing with friends. Know any kids that like to ski, try the Big Foot Community Relay. No fee ! To top it off we have a great valentines night party at the Park Place Hotel. Live band and free hors d'oeuvres. Go to vasa.org to sign up or volunteer.
Huron Meadows Metropark: I went around Cedar Trace and did a few laps of Buck's Run this afternoon. Lots of coverage. Buck's is in great shape, Cedar Trace was OK but pretty slow and a bit sticky in parts. The trails off the golf course would be great if they got around to grooming them. Rod Little
Huron Meadows Metropark: I went around Cedar Trace and did a few laps of Buck's Run this afternoon. Lots of coverage. Buck's is in great shape, Cedar Trace was OK but pretty slow and a bit sticky in parts. The trails off the golf course would be great if they got around to grooming them. Rod Little
Boyne Mountain: Fantastic ski conditions this week! Lots of fresh snow, rolled and tracked. Get some!
Boyne Mountain: Fantastic skiing this week! Lots of fresh snow, rolled and tracked. Get some!
Milham Park Golf Course: Just finished setting a skate deck. Snow coverage is good and track looks nice. Only outside loop is set, classic tracks may be set this afternoon. Enjoy. DaveD
Stokely Creek: Hakon Lien and the perimeter trails should be good for the 34km Loppet on Jan 31 (if you aren't racing MI Cup and want a fun tough course). Still 100m or so of a bit rough on the long climb in Ebare Tract with no track set, but one more good snow should allow for a continuous track. Additional bonus: Face and leg whips on downhills are at an all time low!
Michaywe: Groomed out the skate deck on maple ridge, reset track on most of the lake loop, freshened up the skate deck on most of herringbone, and groomed and reset track on the front 9 loop.
Crystal Mountain: Whew! We've dug out of two feet of fresh powder since Thursday (Jan. 15) and more is on the way tonight. Beginner and Intermediate trails are open and we are finishing grooming and track setting this afternoon. Currently our Advanced trails are closed while we continue grooming but we are hopeful to work on them today. Coverage is excellent and the conditions are fantastic.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Wednesday Morning to all of our Lovers of Snow....and it's a great thing as we do have a LOT of it!! Temperature's warming up....currently sitting at -16 C.
The groomer was out yesterday afternoon/evening, finishing at 6 p.m. All systems were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, and trails are looking fantastic!
Come on up and breathe in the crisp, fresh air while taking in the quiet peacefulness of just you and your skis gliding through the beautiful snow-covered trees :)
: WEDNESDAY UPDATE — JANUARY 21, 2026
Nordic Trail Update:
Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomers were out early setting fresh classic tracks on M-93, Blue, and Red.
Skate lanes are being combed this morning on Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, and Easy Return, providing a nice refresh across the system.
Another solid winter day on the trails—enjoy the fresh grooming and we’ll see you out there!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Mike snowcombed and set fresh tracks on all trails last night, so everything should is dreamy. It's a winter wonderland!
Huron Meadows Metropark: The woods south of Hammel road were very beautiful this morning. Coverage is good, there are some fallen sticks (especially under the big pines) but easy to avoid. Tracks are just skier made and pretty washed out, but all in all it's a nice ski with fresh light snow on top (and knock on wood, saw very little foot traffic).
Michaywe: Received another 3-4 inches since yesterday. Groomed and set track on the lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops. Open areas on the golf course will be prone to a little drifting.
Reindeer Run Nordic Center: Empire airport snowmobile trailhead
Groomer packed the deep accumulatetion of snow early morning.
Nice build up, trail is in very good shape.
Parking lot plowed this morning.
Everything is a go... Corner of benzonia trail and Osborn rd.
Hiawatha Highlands: Whew......another snowy morning!! It's definitely a very crisp, fresh morning....temperature is currently at -18 C. I tell you though, it's definitely a beautiful white winter wonderland outside :)
The groomer was out this morning -- the Pinder system and the 2k Lighted were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate (Pinder finished around 7:30 a.m.).
Bundle up, stay warm, and have an amazing day!!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan is out this morning giving Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93 Hills a fresh comb on the skate deck.
Classic tracks on these trails are two days old and still holding up well.