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!
Make plans to race the 2014 Marcialonga and Dolomitenlauf now!
3/14/2013 - By VBT
VBT will offer a group trip to the 2014 Marcialonga and Dolomitenlauf Worldloppet races. Registration for VBT's 2014 Worldloppet Ski Tour closes on April 30, 2013.
Hello from Kazakhstan!
3/13/2013 - By Ali Crocker
We had a team of six (three women, three men) representing the USA in six different races. In ski-orienteering, the distances aren't set because the courses are different each time.
Great Lakes skiers rock at J2 Nationals
3/12/2013 - By Nick Baic
The junior skiers from Great Lakes were on the podium at this year's J2 National Championships in New Hampshire!
Near-record year for Great Bear Chase
3/12/2013 - By Michael H. Babcock
It was a near-record year for the Portage Health Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon in Calumet, Michigan, with 493 skiers participating in Saturday's ski race.
Video: Muffin Race...or custom party?
3/12/2013 - By Bob Ampulski
2013 Muffin Races at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon, MI. There are two videos, one for the Pursuit Race, one for the 1km kids race.
Michigan Cup Relay skiers stay dry...mostly
3/11/2013 - By Mike Muha
As we turned off the highway to the Cross Country Ski Headquarters, the rain magically stopped. Maybe the Michigan Cup Relays would be dry after all.
Photos from the Michigan Cup Relays
3/10/2013 - By Mike Muha
Photos from the 2013 Michigan Cup Relays at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Higgins Lake, MI.
Sadie Bjornsen's 18th her best World Cup finish
3/10/2013 - By USSA
Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) came back with a second straight career best World Cup day, finishing 18th in the 10k classic at the Lahti Ski Games.
Randall win sprint and World Cup sprint title
3/10/2013 - By USSA
Kikkan Randall outskied World Champion Marit Bjoergen, winning a photo finish by a boot length, to take the win in a freestyle sprint in Lahti clinching her second straight FIS Cross Country World Cup sprint title.
Wax Recommendations for this weekend's races
3/7/2013 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED: Wax recommendations for this weekend's Michigan races. Fast Wax, Solda, Swix, Toko... Check for additions and updates later.
Michigan Cup race tight going into Relays
3/7/2013 - By Mike Muha
The Cross Country Ski Headquarters leads the senior Brumbaugh Cup competition, and the Vasa Ski Club owns the junior Baic Cup this year, but the race for the Michigan Cup is tight...
Positive Coaching or "Why Eli Brown is a great coach"
3/7/2013 - By Megan Spurkland
Packed into the Galena Lodge before the start of the race, Eli introduced me to the masters skiers that he was coaching and said, "This is Megan. I taught her, and now she teaches other people."
UPCOMING
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
SAT, FEB 7, 2026
Super Bowl Foodie Face-Off!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
White Pine Stampede
Mancelona High School, 9300 W Limits Rd; Mancelona MI 49659
Pre-Birkie 26K and 42K
Hayward, Wisconson
Valley Spur Classic 5/10k
Valley Spur, E8017 State Highway M-94, Munising, MI
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Barnelopet
Maasto Hiihto, Hancock
2026 Winter Olympics - Women's 10 + 10 km Skiathlon
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
SUN, FEB 8, 2026
Super Bowl Foodie Face-Off!
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
Forbush Memorial Classic Race
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Learn to Skate Ski Clinic
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's 10 + 10 km Skiathlon
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
TUE, FEB 10, 2026
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's/Women's Sprint qual.+ final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
TUE, FEB 3
Huron Meadows Metropark: Huron Meadows website updated for the date only. Communication between groomers and website manager appears to be down.
Bucks Run: groomed for skate and classic.
Coyote Run: groomed for skate and classic today. Skate deck is soft.
Hawks Hills: groomed for skate today. Skate deck is soft and should be good for classic.
Cedar Trace: unknown by this skier.
Unlisted trail: Filmore county park, Livingston Co
Skier track set on 3 loops totaling 5k
Decent skier set track conditions, trails are shared with walkers, but if you catch it right, it can be nice. Classic only, no grooming, wider skis are better. No bare spots currently. A nice quiet place with a plowed parking area, with a vault toilet.
https://milivcounty.gov/parks/fillmore/
Kensington Metropark: The golf course was awesome! Freshly groomed double track and double-wide skate lane. Beautiful snow. No scruff ( except one minor spot). As I was leaving, I could see the groomer setting track elsewhere in the park. Kudos to the groomer for a great job!
Michaywe: We picked up 2-3 inches of fresh snow since yesterday. All of the ski trails have been combed for skating with new classic tracks set on the Lake Trail, Herringbone Trail, Rivers Trail and Golf Course Loops. Conditions are very good!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The hits just keep on coming! Enjoy freshly groomed trails and classic tracks today. Lots of beautiful snow in the pines. With a high of 18 degrees, you'll be quite comfortable out there! Warm up with lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe. Try a pasture-raised Lamb brat with Tzatziki sauce and pickled onions, oh la la!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning Everyone!! It's another beautiful bluebird sky morning.....temperature currently at -16 C.
The groomer was out last night -- all systems were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate....and looking great!!
NOTE: The High School City Meet is this morning....they will be utilizing the 2k Lighted.
We hope everybody has a beautiful day....come on up and enjoy it!!
Hanson Hills: ?? TUESDAY UPDATE — FEBRUARY 3, 2026 ??
?? Nordic Trail Update:
We picked up 2 inches of fresh fluff overnight! The PB100 is out, setting fresh classic tracks and combing the skate deck on Red, Brown, Yellow, and Easy Return. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic ski day.
??? Nordic Tuesday Special:
Enjoy the trails today with a $13 Nordic trail pass.
Fresh snow, fresh grooming, and a great midweek deal—see you on the trails!
MON, FEB 2
Quail Hollow State Park: What beautiful day! Trails are outstanding! Firmly packed and most had well used classic lanes. I did all of the green, most of the purple and half of yellow. Warmed up to a balmy 22°. Come on out!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks Run WAS groomed - then 2” of the fluffy stuff landed on top. Classic tracks are skied back in. Skaters are getting a workout.
Milham Park Golf Course: Skate deck reset after a week end of heavy usage. Deck is well compacted and pretty fast. Classic track will be reset tomorrow after hopefully another couple inches of fresh snow. There are a number of leaves in the interior loop track but nothing to worry about.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Groundhog Day!! So far it's looking like 6 more weeks of winter, and then some (whoo hooo)!! The snow has started to lightly fall, making for a beautiful morning, with a perfectly balmy temperature....-7 C.
The groomer was out last night....the skate lanes on all systems were freshened up with the ginzu.
Mabel Flats was also groomed last night.
We hope everybody has an absolutely fantastic day out on the trails!!
Maybury State Park: The tracks are holding up quite well. A little dirt in a couple avoidable spots.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Fresh grooming on all trails. Excellent conditions.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Light snow is falling this morning and Groomer Dan is out in the PB100, resetting Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, M-93, and Easy Return. Fresh snow plus fresh grooming makes for a great start to the week.
Midweek Nordic Specials:
Nordic Tuesdays: $13 trail passes
Senior Thursdays (65+): $13 trail passes
Forbush Corner: Some light snow moving through now, shaping up to be another nice day to get out and ski. Trails are in great shape, several east side trails will get a fresh groom along with the green trail on the west side. Open at 9. Gates close at 5.
SUN, FEB 1
Pigeon Creek: Excellent conditions for both skate and classical skiing. There is a deep base and well groomed snow. The groomers do a good job and the lodge offers a cozy spot to relax and warm up. The milder temperatures on Sunday made for fast skating conditions. The only exposed soil was a sandy spot on a hill on the Mounds Loop--there was room to ski around it.
Forbush Corner: 19° F and 7mph wind, no snow overnight. I started late (12:30) waiting for the fog to lift and clouds to part. The low was -12° F overnight, so the snow was cold until the sun came out around 2 PM. Rode super blue worked great 2.5 hours, decent grip skiing in shadows on Linda’s Link back to the shop (at 3pm). Today’s highlights were a beautiful 360° view from the top of Hammerhead and fast, smooth as butter run from D to A to B. 10.6 miles/17.1 km
Kensington Metropark: Near perfect conditions at Kensington today. Skate lanes could use a minor touch up since they haven’t been groomed since Friday. Classic tracks looked superb. Lots of skiers out there today. Thanks to Kensington staff for keeping us skiing!
Vasa Trail: Classic skiing doesn’t get better than this afternoon with high 20s sunshine, Piston Bully grooming yesterday & skate deck freshened up with snowmobiles today, and lots of friends out enjoying the trail from Timber Ridge. I didn’t ski for 2 wks during the single digit & below temps & wind chill, so glad to get out again. Looks like our Lake Effect Snow may be coming to an end as the lakes are starting to freeze, but we’ve got a good base now. What a winter!
Stokely Creek: Some trails were spectacular deep tracks and firm skate lanes. Some trails were as Hugh Pritchard was known to say "rubbish" (with a Monty Python accent) due to the excessive snow bombs falling from trees and the 3-4 day gap in groomings.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Bucks run in great condition for classic or skate from building and back. Nice deep fast tracks and skate lane getting a little faster with some warmer temps.
Skating was also great on the whole golf course and Cedar Trace even without it being groomed today.
Thanks everyone at HM.
Vasa Trail: Best day of the ski season so far: (1) freshly groomed flat and level skate lane, (2) perfect machine set classic tracks, (3) moderate temps, (4) under bright sunny sky brought out a good weekend crowd of happy skiers. LF6 worked well on my skate skis, especially fast in the sunny areas resulting in my fastest 10K lap time of the season, though my lap times are nothing to get excited about these days.
Michaywe: All of the ski trails received a full groom this morning with fresh tracks. It’s a great day to get outside and enjoy an afternoon skiing!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Mike is out snowcombing and setting fresh tracks where need be today. Great conditions on all trails, and a high of 26 today! Come ski with us!
Forbush Corner: It’s been a pleasure to post that all of our trails have 100% coverage pretty much all winter long. Temps are chilly again but moderating as the day goes on. East and west side trails get the fresh groom today. Pines loop was recently groomed and is in great shape as well. Open at 9. Gates close at 5pm.
Hanson Hills: The Meijer State Games – Hanson Hills Classic Ski Race will be held this morning.
Nordic trails will open to the public at 11:00 AM once the race concludes. Thanks for your patience and good luck to all racers!
More trail reports...
