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!
2006 Great Bear Chase Results
3/14/2006 - By Mike Muha
Link to 2006 Great Bear Chase and Junior Bear Chase results.,
DNR Trails Not Quite Ready for Mountain Bikers
3/14/2006 - By DNR Press Release
OK all you skiers who are thinking about getting on your mountain bike: The DNR says to wait!,
MI Cup: Team Standings Going into the Relays
3/13/2006 - By Ken Dawson
Here are the team standings - and preliminary individual final results - for the Michigan Cup going into the relays.,
New England Wins Junior Olympics
3/13/2006 - By Doug Endicott
The final event of the 2006 Junior Olympics was the 3-skier freestyle relay. This race was a favorite for spectators, with both the scramble mass start and transition zones providing some close-quarters competition. Results, photos, & video.,
Deja Vu! It's Daniela, David, Hugh & Denny Again at Boyne Highlands Freestyl
3/13/2006 - By Mike Muha
Twice in one weekend, Daneila Gehart wins for the women and David Mclean, Hugh Pritchard, and Denny Paull finish 1-2-3 at both March 2006 Boyne Highlands races!,
Mclean & Gebhart Win 2006 Boyne Highlands 10K Clasic
3/12/2006 - By Mike Muha
What rain? It was bright and sunny for the Boyne Highlands 10K Classic on Saturday, March 11. OK, maybe it was a little warm - it was between 40 and 45F when the starting gun went off.,
Natalie Dawson 2nd at Leadville Loppet
3/11/2006 - By Mike Muha
Natalie Dawson, member of Team NordicSkiRacer.com, won her age group and took second overall in the 44K Leadville Loppet on February 26. The race runs at an evelation of 10,000 feet!,
Freestyle Results & Photos from Junior Olympcis
3/11/2006 - By Doug Endicott
Temperatures during the day reached the low 40s, creating extremely soft, wet snow conditions for Friday's freestyle races.,
Nystad, Loefshus To Leave US Ski Team at Season's End
3/10/2006 - By US Ski Team
Two-time Olympian Pete Vordenberg was named Thursday night as the new U.S. cross country head coach, replacing Trond Nystad, who is resigning effective at the end of this Olympic season.,
Cassiday Edwards 15th in NCAA Classic 5Km
3/10/2006 - By Mike Muha
Michigan Cup skier Cassidy Edwards finishes 15th in 5KM Classic at NCAA National Collegiate Skiing Championships.,
Change Lanes in a Classic Race
3/10/2006 - By Mike Muha
There's actually a technique for changing lanes on a course with multiple sets of parallel tracks. And you have to plan your change. If you don't, you may lose your momentum. If you plan well, you can actually increase your speed during the lane change. ,
Challenging Race in Junior Olympics Classic Event
3/9/2006 - By Doug Endicott
407 skiers competed in classic races Wednesday, racing distances ranging from 5 to 15 kilometers. The course is very challenging with many technical turns, climbs and descents. Unusual warm conditions added to the challenge.,
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
Reindeer Run Nordic Center: Empire airport snowmobile trailhead, benzonia highway and Osborn rd.
Fantastic skate deck with unbelievable snow conditions.
A ski worthy. Warming afternoon sun made for forgiving snow and great glide. Get it while you can. The goodest trail conditions ever!
Machine groomed on a flat surface.
Strider activity with minimal snow machine activity
Parking at trailhead
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: A perfect skiathalon day. Classic trax were perfection. Skating in my Jarvinen 215's. It has to be perfect for that to happen. Add a blue sky, no wind and 28 degrees. Thank you.
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: Route 271 trailhead. Two feet of snow in the Laurel Highlands has settled, after wed warm up, to a foot of dense pack, with 1” of fresh on top. Not dust on crust, more like dust on mashed potatoes. LHHT is very skiable now on wider gear, with easy trail breaking and uphill skiing without skins. as is lower angle off-trail skiing. Lower elevations are degraded, stay high.
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...
