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!
Hanson Hills Classic course map
2/10/2025 - By Mike Muha
Justin Andre has released the course map for the 2025 Meijer State Games Hanson Hills Classic this coming Sunday, February 16.
New Fischer Speedmax skating skis for 2025-2026
2/8/2025 - By Fischer Nordic
Fischer introduces a new line of Speedmax skating skis for the 2025-2026 season. The skis are designed for racing and divided into 100, 90, and 80 models.
REVIEW: Rundle Impact and Podium poles rock!
2/7/2025 - By Mike Muha
The more I skied on the Rundle Impact and Podium poles, the more I found myself automatically grabbing these poles rather than an existing pair as I head out to ski. They just feel natural in my hands. Recommended!
Brumbaugh Cup adjustments after final rosters and Forbush Memorial Classic
2/6/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The tope three teams are still Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop 52 points ahead of Grand Rapids Nordic and 163 points ahead of Team NordicSkiRacer.
Wax recommentations for the 2025 North American Vasa!
2/6/2025 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's North American Vasa races!
Raffle Fundraiser for Reid Goble
2/5/2025 - By Reid Goble Fundraiser
Support this Michigan skier on his journey to the Olympics! Reid Goble's goal is to compete on the international stage, including the F.I.S. World Cup and Winter Olympics.
GRNST gains on HH/CCSS in Brumbaugh Cup
2/4/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop still leads...but Grand Rapids Nordic pulled closer to first place by winning the Forbush Corner Memorial Classic.
RESULTS: O'Hearn and Roe stride to victory in Forbush Memorial Classic vic
2/4/2025 - By Mike Muha
Although the course map looked like a bowl of spaghetti, race officials were on hand to direct traffic where it wasn't obvious. Overall, it was an excellent course and racers loved it!
RESULTS: Roe and Davis win 40K White Pine Stampede!
2/3/2025 - By Mike Muha
Edward Roe and Rebecca Davis win the 40k. Mandy Paull and Mark Salik take the 22k race
Wax recommendations for White Pine Stampede and the Forbush Memorial Classic
1/30/2025 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for this weekend's Michigan Cup races, the White Pine Stampede and the Forbush Memorial Classic!
After six races: The more things change, the more they stay the same
1/29/2025 - By Mike Muha
After six Michigan Cup races, our overall leaders have not changed: Rayne Newmister, Shirel Temkin, Rebecca Davis, and Yvon Dufour lead the Michigan Cup.
Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop expands lead in Brumbaugh Cup
1/28/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
After a week of below zero temperatures, fresh snow and temperatures in the 20’s greeted Michigan Cup skiers for the Boyne Mountain Classic. The challenging course, originally designed as a World Class venue, tested the mettle of even the best racers.
UPCOMING
SUN, FEB 1, 2026
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Short Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Meijer State Games - Hanson Hills Classic
Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 7601 Old Lake Rd, Grayling, Michigan 49738 (989-348-9266)
Paella on the Sun Deck (noon and 2:00pm)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Live Music with Kat and Wil (2:00-4:00)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
Kat & Logan Live (2:00-4:00)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
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)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SUN, FEB 1
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!
SAT, JAN 31
Independance Oaks: Any update on IO?
Want to hit it tomorrow but worried about the truck Tracks?
Independance Oaks: Skied at 11:30 around the lake was in good shape did not get to the hills
Independance Oaks: Any update on IO?
Want to hit it tomorrow but worried about the truck Tracks?
Huron Meadows Metropark: Simple as that. Skated entire golf course. Can’t be any better.
Some thin spots on the taller grass areas.
Thank you to the team.
Winter is rocking it!
Forbush Corner: 12° F and 10 mph wind at 1pm. The freestyle race had finished and I classic skied. Given the fresh groom and expected skied in track, I used Rode super blue grip. I found 3/4” dry, cold snow on areas that were not groomed for the race very slow, so I skied the racecourse. The classic track was not impacted at all by skaters, it was deep, firm and clean. Speed was medium, becoming quite fast as the sun, in a clear blue sky, warmed the snow surface. At the end, I couldn’t go uphill in the track. 19° F at 3pm. Beautiful views, snow in the trees. 15km/9.32 miles
Stokely Creek: 34k Loppet started at well below 0F, but bright sun and blue skies. Most folks were bundled and touring it to enjoy the scenery, a few went hard off the front - mostly to build heat and thaw out their thumbs. The brief view on Batchawana Mt across the bay before rocketing down Belleau Lk trail hill was the best I've ever seen. Reminiscent of a Cascadian snow capped volcanic peak. Tracks were hard and fast despite the cold.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: It doesn't get much better than this, folks! Clear blue skies, fresh tracks and grooming, hot fires, good food, and tons of snow. This is the winter we've been waiting for!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails Open 9am
The trail system is looking great! Classic tracks are set on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93, Easy Return, and Wilderness.
Groomer Dan will be back out today freshening up the trails, and the skate deck is in great shape as well.
Hanson Hills Classic Update:
We have reopened online registration and it will remain open until 2:00 PM today. Register online to help us keep check-in running smoothly Sunday morning:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Grayling/MeijerStateGamesHansonHillsClassic
FRI, JAN 30
Big M: All the ski trails were groomed Jan. 30th. Oh Me and Catamount look great, along with the rest of the trails. The tracks should be less sticky than they have been recently. The temperature is warming up into the 20"s so it should be a beautiful winter weekend.
Forbush Corner:
Some important information regarding tomorrow’s race.
- Day of Registration and bib pick up begins at 0830 in the yurt.
- Please park as efficiently as possible. Volunteers will help direct you.
- Overflow parking is on the east side of South Roberts Rd.
- 15k race starts at 10am on Linda’s Link near the flags.
- 5k race starts at 10:05.
- Finish for both races is by the ski school.
- Race course will have classic tracks.
- Course is marked with signs, arrows and v-boards. If it is not groomed, it is not the race course. There will be volunteers guiding skiers at selected intersections.
- There will be trails available for non-racers.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Friday 4:15pm beautiful sunshine but deceiving at 10° F. Skated contractors back meadows loop and Hawk Hills (south golf course). Plenty of snow and more firm with buttery soft pole plants compared to Bucks which was nice. Hoping HM crew can get a full groom in tomorrow morning which will make a great Saturday. Cheers!
Maybury State Park: Nose classic tracks around the whole system. They also set tracks on the the area west of the parking lot off 8 mile and they're nice.
Michaywe: I did a full groom today on the Lake Loop, Herringbone, River and both Golf Course trails. The trails are in very good condition!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Trails are looking gorgeous! Firm tracks and great skate deck on all trails. The sun is shining and the weather is going to start to warm up too! Come on out!
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Friday Morning! It's a another gorgeous, calm morning up here....and it's warming up, currently -20 C :):)
No grooming was done overnight as, again, no snow fell, and the trails are in great shape.
The trails await....layer up and come ski your way into the weekend. Happy skiing and have a fantastic day!
Boyne Mountain: Another cold one, so layer up! Trails freshly groomed and hold up nicely with all the new snow added.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open 9am.
Groomer Dan is out combing skate lanes this morning with the tidd tech. Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93, and Easy Return have 2 day old tracks. Stay warm this morning.
Forbush Corner: Opening today is once again delayed to 10am due to subzero temperatures. We do plan a full system groom for skate and classic. There is an event tomorrow, The Meier Winter Games Forbush Freestyle race. Racers will be utilizing most of the ski trails during the morning. Trails are not closed to non racers, however the event should be winding down by noon.
More trail reports...
