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!
CXC Ski Team Races in Lake Placid, NY
9/26/2006 - By CXC Skiing
Brian Gregg was the top CXC Ski Team athlete in the men’s race, finishing in 11th place. Caitlin Compton was 4th as the top CXC Ski Team athlete in the women’s event with Laura Valaas right on her heels in 5th.,
CASCO Nordic Eyewear: Versatile and Innovative
9/26/2006 - By Mike Muha
The special anti-fog coating and great airflow around the shield, coupled with the ability to flip the shield up like a visor, make the CASOC Nordic Eyeware a real winner.,
WADA Approves 2007 List of Prohibited Substances
9/25/2006 - By FIS
The WADA Executive Committee decided not to add artificially-induced hypoxic conditions [e.g., altitude tents] to the 2007 List.,
Only 4 Places Left for Oct 7 Skate Clinic
9/25/2006 - By Mike Muha
CLINIC UPDATES: Sixteen of the 20 places in the skate technique clinic are filled. Several June clinic skiers and a recent overall winner of the Michigan Cup have signed up - you can't have too much technique training!,
Coach Robinson Challenges Skiers to Try 5K Trail Run on Sept 30
9/24/2006 - By Ryan Robinson
Team NordicSkiRacer Ryan Robinson, coach at Waterford Mott High School, has organized a high school cross country meet with a 5K citizen's race included. He invites all cross country skiers to race the gentle trails at Hess-Hathaway Park.,
Uncertain Weather Doesn't Deter Racers in First Fall Pursuit
9/24/2006 - By Mike Muha
Dan Motowski came up with a great running and rollerski course. The running course - 315 feet of climbing, 315 feet of descending - was cursed by more than one participant at one point or another during the event..,
Noquemanon Trail News
9/24/2006 - By iiccbxifd
The Noquemanon Trail Network has signed an agreement with the City of Marquette to manage and operate the entire South Marquette Trail system; and lots of other news..., ,
U.S. Junior National Biathlon Team Trials
9/23/2006 - By US Biathlon Team
Mount Itasca Biathlon Association will be hosting the Junior/Youth World Championships Trials at Mount Itasca Ski Area in Coleraine, MN, December 27, 2006 - December 31, 2006.,
Inaugural Ross Cogger Memorial TART Trail Trek on October 7
9/23/2006 - By Missy Luyk
We ask that people come and experience the Boardman Lake Trail however they choose: ride, walk, run, or just stroll along. ,
It's Starting to Snow in West Yellowstone!
9/22/2006 - By Jamie Greene
With the Yellowstone Ski Festival scheduled to start in two short months, event coordinator Jamie Greene, is happy to see the snow on the mountains around West Yellowstone.,
The Short Story of a Broken Rollerski Revisted
9/21/2006 - By John Stevens
Andy's brother John explains the rollerski failure and makes some recommendations.,
Repairing Swix Natural Cork Grips
9/21/2006 - By Mike Muha
The pair on Swix natural cork grips I bought last winter have started splitting and cracking. These are pretty expensive grips - I didn't really want to replace them! Here's how I repaired them.,
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
FRI, FEB 27, 2026
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Classic
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
THU, FEB 12
Michaywe: Received a little over half an inch of fluff since yesterday. Combed out the skate deck on maple ridge. Combed the skate deck and reset track on the rest of the trail system. Conditions are excellent! Full-service bar & dining located on the ski trail at Michaywe. "Inn the Woods" Restaurant is open Tuesday - Saturday. Visit www.michaywe.com for hours & menu.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Attempted an early morning classic ski on the golf course. Iceland! Lot of grass burning through too. Don’t bother. Skate deck was ice as well. I expect the woodland trails to be very dicey.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: A little dusting of snow last night and some cool temps have the trails looking stellar! All trails are freshly snow combed as of this morning. Classic tracks are still in good shape. Enjoy!
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Thursday!! It's a fabulous bluebird-sky morning up here, the wind is calm, with the temperature sitting at -14 C.
There was no grooming overnight as the trails are in excellent condition.
Mabel Lake (Flats and Hills) was groomed as of 11:30 a.m. yesterday.
Come on everyone, get yourselves up here....it's going to be a glorious day!!
Hanson Hills: Groomer Dan is out this morning cleaning up skate lanes on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93 Hills, keeping the trail system in great midweek shape.
Senior Thursday Special (65+):
Enjoy the trails today with $13 trail passes.
Forbush Corner: Several inches of lake effect snow over the last few days have added to already excellent trail conditions. East side trails get the fresh groom for skate and classic. Open 9 to 5.
WED, FEB 11
Pigeon Creek: North side received the early groom and was really nice and stable to skate. Still can use good skis but oak leaves are falling getting into the classic tracks so beware. Skied a couple laps on south trails and they were approaching boiler plate status. Should be good again tomorrow.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Just got off the trails 4 30. Light snow all afternoon. Beautiful groom with solid Trax. 27 degrees, Swix blue with a little blue Xtra for Rolling Hills. If it keeps snowing tomorrow could be special. Get it while you can.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Snow was added to trail today. So it is a little soft for skating. But still very skiable from building and back is still there.
Disappointing to see the snow guns put away today. Long term forecast shows cold for several weeks after this few day warm up. Looks like they are giving up already.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Independance Oaks: Icy boiler plate around the lake but the Spring Lake loop is more skate-able. It is not ideal for skating but doable, classic skiing would be better if you are double poling but diagonal striding will be a challenge with no discernible set tracks. The skiing is best in the woods west of the lake as it is more crusty than icy. Please be cautious on the down hills.
Boyne Mountain: Trail conditions are excellent! Nice deep base. A little crusty this morning, but it has softened up since then.
Stokely Creek: Primo untouched fresh tracks and corduroy on the Hakon Lien this morning, plus sun. I would have recommended it to Klaebo with complete confidence that he would have found it a pleasure to ski. No pressure, just creamy snow perfection.
Michaywe: Combed out the skate deck and reset track on the lake loop, herringbone, the river trail, and both golf course loops. We are getting some light lake effect with wind, so there is some drifting in the open areas on the golf courses. Conditions remain good.
Hiawatha Highlands: It's a gorgeous sunny morning -- happy happy!!! It's a beautiful -6 C.
The groomer is currently out -- the Pinder system was fully Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, as was the 2k Lighted. He is currently on the Crystal system. Stay tuned for an update on the Red Pine system.
We hope everybody has a fantastic day!!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After some slightly warmer temps yesterday, below freezing temps overnight, a bit of fresh snow, and fresh grooming this morning, the skating is the best of the season! Classic tracks are also intact and in good shape on all trails. Watch for oak leaves in the tracks on Manitou. Enjoy it out there, it's fantastic!
Hanson Hills:
Nordic Trail Update:
Fresh grooming is underway this morning on Red, with new corduroy and classic track being set to keep conditions in top shape.
A great midweek opportunity to get out and enjoy the trails—see you at Hanson Hills!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Any update on conditions at Huron Meadows for a late afternoon or early evening skate today would be much appreciated
Huron Meadows Metropark:
TUE, FEB 10
Huron Meadows Metropark: 2/10/26: went in the evening. Bucks run was very icy. Big dry spots on the golf course, so wouldn't recommend skiing on those trails. Seems like it might have been nicer during the day when things were still melting and hadn't iced over. Temps went down a bit as the evening progressed leaving Bucks feeling like an ice rink. I double-poled in the tracks for a bit, but skating felt precarious. No bare spots on bucks, but a few leaves & stuff on the trails
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!
More trail reports...
