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!
Notes from New Zealand
7/27/2010 - By Pete Vordenberg
Note five: Competition and cooperation are key.
Birkie prices go up this weekend
7/27/2010 - By Birkie
The last day to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount for the Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon is Saturday, July 31st.
Michigan Cup Committee to plan upcoming racing season
7/26/2010 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
It is Michigan Cup Meeting time again, Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Higgins Lake. A representative from each team will vote on changes to the upcoming 2010-2011 Michigan Cup racing season.
National Training Group freestyle sprint heats
7/26/2010 - By Mike Muha
Observations on rollerski sprint heats skied by the National Training Group at Soldier Hollow this summer. What can you see that you can use to improve YOUR skiing?
It was both cruel, brutal and insanely hard
7/23/2010 - By Norwegian Ski Association
The Rollerski Norgescup race in Lysebotn was a spectacular and scenic uphill competition. 7.5 kilometers long, the race course featured 6 km of climbing, 27 curves, one tunnel and 640 m of total climb.
Seek host for Norwegian exchange student
7/23/2010 - By Barb Kilkka
We've been seeking a host family for this Norwegian boy and wondered if you could pass the word along to your fellow skiers. (Hmmm...the next Michigan Cup junior racing star?)
Charlotte Kalla back on the Tour de Ski 2010/11
7/22/2010 - By Kjell-Erik Kristiansen
After winning in 2008, but missing the 2009 and 2010 Tour de Skis, Charlotte Kalla has anounced she will be training hard for the 2011 edition of the Tour de Ski.
Davis Miller retires from U.S. Nordic Combined
7/22/2010 - By US Ski Team
Ski jumper turned nordic combined skier Davis Miller (Steamboat Springs, CO) announced his retirement with the U.S. Nordic Combined Team after competing with the squad for three years.
2011 Birkie T-Shirt design contest entries due August 2nd
7/21/2010 - By Cherie Morgan
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) is announcing their annual contest to design the official t-shirt for the 2011 American Birkebeiner ski race. The winning t-shirt design will be the featured retail t-shirt for the event.
Alaksa REG
7/21/2010 - By Pete Vordenberg
Few words to accompany this post. But the Alaskans were getting after it up there...
Signup to race the final climb in the Tour de Ski
7/20/2010 - By Mike Muha
Be one of 200 skiers to climb the famous last climb of the Tour de Ski this year, in front of 20,000 fans, just minutes before the World Cup racers start.
Interview with Sweden's Anna Haag
7/20/2010 - By Rick Halling
I was born in the region so for me it’s a dream came true having a new world championship in my home region. I remember the last one, 1993, and I think that my interest in cross country skiing grew just because of that.
UPCOMING
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
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
THU, FEB 5
Milham Park Golf Course: Entire system re set. Skate lane is nice and flat but the new cold snow is making it a bit slow. Not a complaint, I have learned to never complain about fresh snow. Classic track was getting pretty snow filled so re set that but will likely fill back in pretty soon so--calling all skiers to get out there and keep it skied in.
DaveD
Kensington Metropark: Hit the classic tracks on golf course and woodland trail #2. Excellent deep hard groom. Shout outs to the Kensington groomers! Skate track looked great. Weather forecasts suggest at least another week of great skiing. Nice to have this is southern MI again.
Vasa Trail: A little more snow, a morning-fresh installation of corduroy on the skate lane, and excellent conditions prevailed throughout the trail system with yesterday's machine-set classic tracks holding up well. At 28F the LF7 was working well providing good glide.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 2-3 inches of snow this morning so far. The grooming team has snow combed all the trails and is resetting tracks on Tall Pines and Trappers Cabin. The plan is to set fresh tracks on the rest of the trails tomorrow after the snowfall ends. All trails are open and it's wintery magic to the highest degree out there!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
We’re expecting 1–3 inches of snowfall today. Groomer Dan is out this morning combing Yellow, Brown, Blue, and Easy Return with the Tidd Tech.
After this morning’s pass, we’ll allow the new snow to accumulate and plan to regroom tomorrow morning for the best possible conditions.
Senior Thursday Special (65+):
Enjoy the trails today with $13 Nordic trail passes.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning our snow lovers!! It's a gorgeous morning, lightly snowing, and calm.....temperature currently sitting at -8 C.
The groomer was out this morning -- the 2k Lighted was PB groomed for both classic and skate, the Pinder system skate lanes were freshened up with the ginzu.
The trail awaits -- there's always joy to be found, so come on up and learn something beautiful today.
Forbush Corner: Looks like light snow will be falling all day, temperatures climbing into the high 20’s. 100% coverage on all trails, east side trails getting a fresh groom for skate and classic. Open 9 to 5.
Forbush Corner: Looks like light snow will be falling all day, temperatures climbing into the high 20’s. 100% coverage on all trails, east side trails getting a fresh groom for skate and classic. Open 9 to 5.
WED, FEB 4
Nubs Nob: Mother Nature’s snow - Nubs groom : it doesn’t any better - LF 7 works .
Understand there is a 28 inch hard pack base beneath that groom ! See you in April at Nub’s .
Nubs Nob: Mother Nature’s snow - Nubs groom : it doesn’t any better - LF 7 works .
Understand there is a 28 inch hard pack base beneath that groom ! See you in April at Nub’s .
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: Two feet of snow in the Laurel Highlands, fairly soft, and tough trail breaking on the LHHT. Ski trails and/or skining up and descending a better bet, or the snowmobile trails off peak hours. Or, bring a small army of skiers and take turns on the front.
Vasa Trail: Another Piston Bully groom, perfect classic tracks & corduroy, low 20s temp & no wind = great afternoon ski! I even passed 3 groomers skiing Special K, John S, Mike B, & Jim D, and thanked them for their dedication to making the trail so nice for all to enjoy! You can too at Sat’s Open House at the Bartlett Trailhead from 10-1. Come by to see all of the grooming equipment & enjoy some hot chocolate & cookies, too!
Independance Oaks: Fresh groom with very shallow skied in tracks here and there. Skate deck very firm. Hills on Oak & Rock Ridge fast and fun. Blue swix was perfect again. Leather arm chairs in rental building. Nice homey touch.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Classic skied bucks, coyote and cedar trace. Bucks is in great condition for skate or classic. A little soft today since they added snow.
Coyote has grass and dirt in some tracks but can be avoided. Cedar trace doesn't have tracks till you get out there. But the loop is good.
Thanks again evryone at HM
Noteced most of the snow piles are gone. Any chance one of the guns can be turned back on. We usually get to ski till the first week of March.
Thanks again.
Huron Meadows Metropark: I mostly skated the golf course trails. Firm skate deck, deep classic tracks with occasional (easily avoided) dirty spots. I used my good skis and had a great time.
Crystal Mountain: I groomed everything yesterday. Trails are in great shape.
Independance Oaks: Skied at 8:30 am around lake and the back hills all trail freshly rolled(no tracks) great skate
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Red, Brown, Yellow, Blue, Easy Return and M-93 Hills were combed and tracked yesterday.
TUE, FEB 3
Kensington Metropark: Classic skied on parts of trails A,B, and 2. All were freshly groomed with a skate deck and classic tracks. No bare spots.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Classic skied Coyote Run and Cedar Trace. Good times! CR had a number of spots where grass and dirt were showing in the tracks only. Easy to ski around. On CT the long hill (2 to 3) has no tracks. But there is a tracked loop from 3 to 4 then to 9 and back to 3. No grooming from 4 to 5, but skier-made tracks looked pretty good.
Kensington Metropark: Classic skied on parts of trails A,B, and 2. All were freshly groomed with a skate deck and classic tracks. No bare spots.
Stokely Creek: Perfect grooming up to King Mt summit and then a bluesky bright sun view of Lake Superior and the hills of Algoma. Light wind even made the sun feel kinda warm. Nordic pulse shows they groomed the entire system - except the long lost seemingly forgotten Mcguffin trail?
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!
More trail reports...
