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!
Rebecca Davis and Bradley Baas doublepole to Krazy Klassic victory
1/12/2026 10:11:40 AM - By Mike Muha
Rebecca Davis powered over her rivals in the 2026 Krazy Klassic while Bradley Baas used strategy to win over Michael Davis.
Results! Vasa Raptor Rush Nordic Ski Race
1/12/2026 8:00:00 AM - By Mike Muha
Junior teams Vasa Raptors, Crystal Nordic, Nub's Nob, and the Cross Country Ski Shop competed at Hickory Hills Ski Area in Traverse City, MI on January 10 for the 2nd annual Raptor Rush fundraiser.
Karin Rand and Bradley Baas dominate Frosty Freestyle
1/10/2026 12:03:06 PM - By Mike Muha
There was sugar, there was slush, there was ice. It was good enough considering the balmy temps lately. Most important, there was a race! The Frosty Freestyle maintained its reputation of putting on the race when others would have screamed Uncle!
Photos from 2026 Winter Wolf Skiathlon
1/8/2026 6:17:12 PM - By Mike Muha
Photos from the Winter Wolf Skiathlon were taken by Chris Larner! Lots of photos.
Wax Recommendations: Frosty Freestyle, Raptor Rush, Krazy Klassic
1/8/2026 11:10:00 AM - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for this weekend's Michigan Cup races from Toko and Rex: Frosty Freestyle, Raptor Rush, and Krazy Klassic
Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic: Damn the Torpedoes!
1/8/2026 4:07:00 AM - By Mike Muha
We fully expect the Buck's Run to survive the weather. The trail has a solid ice base and the cold ground is keeping it frozen. There are piles of man-made snow ready for action.
Kids ski classes begin Wed Jan 14 at Huron Meadows
1/5/2026 6:46:58 PM - By Mike Muha
Learn to cross country ski! Kids and their parents are invited to 4 sessions at Huron Meadows Metropark. Instruction is provided by members of Team NordicSkiRacer. This is a beginner's class but kids who have some prior skiing are invited to attend as well!
Forbush Corner presents Raffle Fundraiser for Reid Goble
1/5/2026 12:15:13 AM - By Forbush Corner
Forbush Corner Nordic is pleased to announce the start of the 2026 raffle and fundraiser to help support Reid Goble, a professional cross-country skier from northern Michigan. The top prize is a Trek Farley 5 Fat Bike!
Drew Moore and Eric O'Hearn alphas at Winter Wolf Skiathlon
1/4/2026 12:48:37 AM - By Mike Muha
Predators where aplenty at the Winter Wolf Skiathlon. Drew Moore and Erica O'Hearn easily clawed their way to the top.
Wax recommendations for the Winter Wolf Skiathlon
1/1/2026 1:05:18 PM
Wax recommendations for the Winter Wolf Skiathlon at Hanson Hills Recreation Area on Saturday, January 3!
Win Toko Jet Liquid Blue, Red, and Yellow!
1/1/2026 - By Mike Muha and Ian Harvey
Toko Giveaway Contest! Enter for a chance to win one each of Toko Jet Liquid Blue, Red, and Yellow, a $405 value!
TOKO Waxing Masterclass: Liquids, Powders, Brushes, Structure & Pro Tips
12/23/2025 - By Ian Harvey
Ian Harvey, Brand Manager for Toko USA, led a hands-on demonstration covering best practices for applying TOKO Jet Liquid, Bloc, and Powder, and offered an inside look at the Toko Wax Machine, sharing tips on how to get the most out of each product.
UPCOMING
WED, JAN 21, 2026
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
FRI, JAN 23, 2026
Junior Noque
Al Quall Recreation Area, Ishpeming, MI
SAT, JAN 24, 2026
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)
SUN, JAN 25, 2026
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)
WED, JAN 28, 2026
Kids Learn to Ski Program
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
FRI, JAN 30, 2026
Winter Feast
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, JAN 31, 2026
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)
SUN, FEB 1, 2026
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)
TUE, FEB 3, 2026
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Relay Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
WED, FEB 4, 2026
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
THU, FEB 5, 2026
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Long Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, JAN 21
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!
TUE, JAN 20
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.
MON, JAN 19
Nubs Nob: Nubs Nob red and blue loop has 18” of hard packed base . Looks like we will be skiing late into the Spring!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Monday Morning Everyone! What a fantastic weekend for racing, we hope some got out to watch!! It is a bit of a chilly morning....currently at -11 C, but everything is snowy white and beautiful as we got some more snow overnight.
The groomer is currently out this morning -- the Pinder system was completed at 8:30 a.m., he is currently on the Crystal system, followed by the 2k Lighted and then the Red Pine system. All systems are Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate.
We hope everybody has a fabulous Monday....bundle up and come get your dose of fresh air!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing skate lanes on Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93, and Novice. Once complete, he’ll move on to open Wilderness and set fresh classic track later this morning.
**Red/Jugivny were combed and packed yesterday.
Forbush Corner: Waking up to a very cold and windy start. Limiting grooming to our more “wind protected” trails, Badlands and Green Trail.
More trail reports...
