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!
White Pine Stampede final course maps!
1/28/2025 - By Ben Tarbutton
The snow is looking great! Official race distances are approximately 12.5K/ 22K / 40K. Maps show the cutoffs for the various distances.
RESULTS: Wakeley and O'Hearn conquer 1,000 vertical feet in Boyne Classic
1/27/2025 - By Mike Muha
You know it's going to be a tough 10k race when you realize over the most difficult trails at Boyne Mountain...
After five races, who reigns supreme?
1/26/2025 - By Mike Muha
Ken Dawson has tabulated the results from the first five Michigan Cup races, through the Cote Dame Marie. Who's on first?
RESULTS: Flying Squirrel Freestyle Race!
1/25/2025 - By Beth Major
Sun and crisp cold temps greeted the 50 racers who gathered at Crystal Mountain XC center for the 7th annual Flying Squirrel Freestyle race on Sunday Jan. 19th. Skiers came from Crystal Nordic, Vasa Raptors, Lake Michigan XC, and Icy Instincts.
Wax recommendations for the Boyne Classic and Beech Nuts Junior Race
1/23/2025 - By Mike Muha
Getr waxing! Wax recommendations for the Boyne Classic and Beech Nuts Junior Race
Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop continues lead in Brumbaugh Cup
1/21/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The HHCCSS team wasted no time getting down to business at the Cote Dame Marie, finishing first in both the men's and women's division in the Brumbaugh Cup.
RESULTS: Jorden Wakeley and Rebecca Davis win Cote Dame Marie for HH/CCSS
1/20/2025 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED! ADDED LINK TO RESULTS! It was pure pleasure to be racing the Cote Dame Marie on a course with nice snow and grooming!
2025 Noquemanon Ski Marathon CANCELLED!
1/16/2025 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
The snow we received has unfortunately left us without confidence in our ability to run even a modified distance course safely this year
Cote Dame Marie may run slightly shorter race
1/16/2025 - By Justin Andre
The red trail base is improving, but as much as I want to include this section, it currently has a marginal and bumpy base that I fear would not positively showcase our trail system or our grooming efforts. We may shorten the race.
Team NSR wins Krazy Klassic but remains 3rd in Brumbaugh Cup
1/16/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
When the smoke cleared. Team NSR had won the day with 36 points, ending in third place with 308 points in overall Brumbaugh Cup. HHCCSS and GRNST weathered the storm, remaining in first and second place.
Team NordicSkiRacer moves to 3rd in Brumbaugh Cup after Frosty Freestyle
1/15/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The Michigan Cup moved South for a weekend of races at Huron Meadows Metropark near Brighton. This is Team NordicSkiRacer’s home course and the defending Brumbaugh Cup champions began their defense. It was a defense of no small proportions.
White Pine announces 2025 course!
1/15/2025 - By White Pine Stampede
The 10k race will be slightly longer at just over 11k, the 20k course should be just over 21k, and our long course will be around 42 km.
UPCOMING
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
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
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.
FRI, FEB 13
Forbush Corner: Posting tonight for tomorrow. Happy Valentine’s Day! Trails remain in great shape for Presidents’ Day weekend. Open at 9. Gates close at 5pm.
Stoney Creek Metropark: Skied in the afternoon and found snow cover on golf course was much better than anticipated and most of the groomed tracks were still usable. Sunny areas were soft while shady areas were still moderately icy. Stayed out of the woods assuming trails would be an icy chopped up mess because of all the walkers. Golf course skiing should be reasonable for at least one more day.
Huron Meadows Metropark: The snow is a bit packed compared to two days ago when they added new stuff. A bit bumpy but fast. One or two slick spots, but good skiing overall. I was there in the late afternoon.
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: Rte 31 trailhead. The Laurel highlands Hiking Trail runs for 70 miles south to north along Laurel Ridge. Most of the time the skiing is pretty similar across that range. But, I think the snow quality might be noticeably better in the north, by a bit, at this time. I would recommend staying North of Route 30. Snow continues to settle, becoming more mash potato like. There is still well more than a foot in the north facing, high elevations, and you can take downhill runs on the forest roads and pipelines. The occasional Rock is starting to show on parts of the LHHT itself.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Trails are still in great shape after a fresh groom this morning! Skate deck is dreamy and classic tracks are still solid, with a few leaves scattered here and there. The base is thick and will withstand the warm temps this weekend with ease! Tonight will get down to 16F to firm things up for the groomer tomorrow, and the skiing will be great all day, with firm trails in the morning, and slightly softening into the afternoon, but sunny and wonderful to be sure!
Huron Meadows Metropark: 32° and 3mph wind with sunny skies at noon. Outstanding groom of corn snow on Bucks run. My Fischer RCR crown. worked perfectly in these snow conditions, which were identical to yesterday, though air temp 5° warmer. Classic tricks remained in very good condition for the two hours I skied both days. So bright I needed my sunglasses:-) 10 miles/16.1km x2
Hanson Hills: Lodge & trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan is out combing skate lanes across the trail system and will be setting fresh classic tracks on Wilderness today.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Friday the 13th, and we're entering Family Day Weekend!! It's a beautiful, calm, snowy morning....with the trees glistening as the frost covers their branches :) The temperature is -10 C.
The groomers were out last night -- all systems were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, and as well Mabel Lake (Flats and Hills) was groomed. All trails are in super duper shape!!
We hope everybody has a fantastic Friday :)
REMINDER: Check out all of our Family Day Weekend activities on our social media....in particular, note that the Crystal system and the Pinder system will be skied in backwards direction (including all loops) from Saturday to Monday. Enjoy them in a whole new way!
Forbush Corner: Another comfortable day to get out on our trails. Conditions continue to be some of the best ever. Fresh groom on the west side trails and 240 loop. Open 9 to 5.
More trail reports...
