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!
Cote Dame Marie Ski Loppet – New Course, Big Giveaways
1/13/2026 1:43:10 AM - By Justin Andre
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.
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!
UPCOMING
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
THU, FEB 26, 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
Maybury State Park: Tracks were still holding up but sticky at 2 pm. Leaf litter and some sticks. Used skin skis.
I will try tomorrow,probably double pole only.
Nubs Nob: Fresh groom this morning for the skate deck & classic tracks. Exceptional conditions!!!
Quail Hollow State Park: It's 50° and the snow is holding up better than I expected. I never wax! In the middle of doing all the purple trail and plan to do some or all of the green trail. Downhills still had deep snow on them and not icy. No bare spots yet. Back in the pines by Pontius there were occasional but very easily avoidable tree roots. Snow will probably hold until tomorrow. Get it while you can, Janis.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Brilliant sunshine & blue skies. 39 degrees when I finished skate skiing today. Blue high speed wax good to 21 degrees was good enough for me. No new grooming but Cedar Trace was lovely for two loops - only had to dodge a small bit of animal litter and footsteps (who in the world are these residents that walk on skate decks!? I always like to think they just need larger signage).
Bucks was soft....Was hearing the 1994 Tune, "Here Comes the Hotstepper" --- Am wondering if spreading of snow on the golf course and Coyote Connector could keep things covered in coming days. Snow dance underway...
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Conditions are fabulous. Our base is very strong and the trails have a fresh snow comb as of this morning. Temps will rise today, so best conditions will be earlier. Enjoy lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe today, and demo a new pair of skis for free!
Hanson Hills: TUESDAY UPDATE — FEBRUARY 10, 2026
Nordic Trail Report:
Fresh classic tracks are set on Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93 Hills. Skate lanes are looking great across the entire trail system, making for solid conditions no matter your style today.
Nordic Tuesday Special:
Enjoy the trails with $13 trail passes every Tuesday.
A great day to get out and ski—see you on the trails!
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
Towpath Trail: Trail by Center Road was wonderful. Snow holding up well. Surprisingly not bumpy as it's a multi use path.
Towpath Trail: Trail by Center Road was wonderful. Snow holding up well. Surprisingly not bumpy as it's a multi use path.
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.
More trail reports...
