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!
King Vasa Club to be honored at 2025 North American Vasa
1/9/2025 - By North American Vasa
A new highlight to this year’s event is honoring skiers who have completed thirty or more Vasa races. These skiers will be recognized with a commemorative bib featuring the Royal Coat of Arms of Swedish King Gustav I Vasa.
Wax recommendations for the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic races
1/9/2025 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup races, the Frosty Freestyle and the Krazy Klassic, put on by Team NordicSkiRacer!
Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic races have snow!
1/8/2025 - By Mike Muha
On the fence about registering for the Frosty Fest!? Don't be. As of now, the course will be 1.5 kilometers including a connector from the clubhouse to the trail in the woods.
RESULTS: Mandy Paull and Ryan Harris win 2025 Winter Wolf Skiathlon
1/5/2025 - By Mike Muha
Skiers raced four laps around the same loop for a total distance of about 12k. The first two laps were classic, then skiers went through a transition zones to exchange skis and poles. The last two laps were freestyle.
Winter Wolf Skiathlon course and transition rules announced
1/3/2025 - By Forbush Corner
Registration ends this afternoon! Classic leg is first, followed by skate leg. You must remove skis and poles in the tranistion area. Course map and transition area map...
Wax Recommendation for the Winter Wolf Skiathlon
1/2/2025 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup race, the Winter Wolf Skiathlon. Finally - a skiathlon on the Michigan Cup circuit!!!!
Winter Wolf Skiathlon moved to Forbush Corner
12/30/2024 - By Justin Andre
Hanson Hill's Winter Wolf Skiathlon has officially moved to Forbush Corner this coming Saturday, January 4, 2025
UPDATED: Frosty Freestyle & Krazy Klassic prices rise after Dec 31!
12/29/2024 - By Ken Roth
The price of Frosty Freestyle & Krazy Klassic Cross Country Ski Race 2025 is about to go up, don't miss out on this opportunity to sign up before the price increase!
Brumbaugh Cup 2025 opens with a big win for Hanson Hills/Cross Country Ski Shop
12/29/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Team HHCCSS came with all guns to the Forbush Time Trial, including Alex and Caitlyn Vanais, and Jordan Wakeley.
Frosty Fest Registration is Now Open!
12/17/2024 - By Ken Roth
Registration for the 2025 Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic is now open. Cool new sunglasses for the 1st 150 registrations, new hats for age group awards!
The great plan for the race within a race
12/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
The Forbush Time Trail my first race of the season and I was determined to beat my training partner, Tony Percha. This is the story of my grand plan to bring Tony down!
RESULTS: Forbush Time Trial victories for Jorden Wakeley and Kaitlyn Vanias
12/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
Congratulations to Jorden Wakeley and Kaitlyn Vanias for taking the wins at the Forbush Time Trial! Jorden, you skied the course in 15 minutes flat! WOW! Kaitlyn: 17:25 and just beating Erica Ohearn and all but 14 of the men in a strong field? WOW!
UPCOMING
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
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)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
SAT, FEB 7
Independance Oaks: Trail was groomed but once again park staff drove a tracked vehicle over most of the trails after grooming creating ruts on the spring lake trail up the climb between and around most of the lakeshore loop. I wish they would groom and then park it. The ruts in the turns around the lake and going up the Spring lake climbs were frustrating. Skiable just not enjoyable. I picked up most of the sticks but the wind is still blowing so beware of fallen branches later on today.
Michaywe: The Michaywe Cross Country Ski Trails received a fresh grooming today. 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!
Hanson Hills: Typo... Lodge and trails open at 9am..
Hanson Hills: Lodge & trails open at 11:00 AM
Grooming is underway on windblown Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93, and Novice to get things dialed back in after the weather.
Forbush Corner: All trails groomed yesterday and in great shape including pines loop. Maybe a light touch up today on the east side. One last race on the schedule (SUNDAY) this year, the memorial classic for Mike Keenan. A limited number of candy bars are available for a minimum $10 donation which will go to the Sedona Wolf Sanctuary (you can also make a donation to them directly in Mike’s name). Open 9 to 5.
FRI, FEB 6
Huron Meadows Metropark: 29° and 10mph at 12:45pm. I classic skied with fresh Swix purple grip. Fast, flat, clean tracks were awesome at the start. I felt Olympian flying down the straightaways, my speed increasing as the temp climbed to 31° and the tracks acquired a subtle glaze. As the trail received more traffic, the curves lost their tracks and steep sides became shallow. Wind increased substantially over 2.5 hrs, but Buck’s was protected, and only when I skied back to the shop, did my speed slow significantly.
I had not been to HM in 3 years and yesterday explored Maltby Vista, Cedar trace and Coyote run, which were not recently groomed and frustrating due to stretches of grass in the track or tracks completely gone. With a couple inches of snow and a fresh groom, many more km should be good to go.
Big M: All the ski trails were groomed today and are looking great for another beautiful winter weekend. Enjoy!
Hartwick Pines: It was a little blustery but a warm day on the Hartwick trails. The sun even came out to add a warm glow to the snow filled air. Hit the Aspen and deer run loops they combed the 2” of reported snow from last nightand were just finishing up laying deep tracks as we were finishing. Thanks to all the crew we had a terrific ski!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Grooming Mike is out snowcombing the fresh bit of snow we received last night, and conditions are excellent! Looking like a wonderful weekend for skiing!
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy End of the Week Friday!! The sun is fabulously shining and it's a stunning morning up here.....temperature -4 C. We received a small amount of snow overnight, but nothing to slow us down :)
The groomer was out early this morning -- all systems were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, and are in prime shape.
Now, take a moment....imagine a life without winter. No slowflakes dancing on your eyelashes, no excuse to wear that questionable, but warm, hat your aunt knitted.....but, more important of all -- no skiing!! We can't imagine!
So, come on up and do something amazing today :)
Boyne Mountain: Trails freshly groomed this week (including Vistas). Touching up around the lower trails this morning. Should be another great week of skiing! Stay warm tomorrow!
Forbush Corner: Another winter day on tap, keeping the trail system in great shape. All terrain open, west side gets the fresh groom today. Open 9 to 5. Gates close soon thereafter.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan has been out since 3:30 AM laying down fresh comb and classic tracks in about 2 inches of new snow. Conditions are looking fantastic to start the day.
THU, FEB 5
Maybury State Park: Great conditions on paved paths at Maybury State Park. Deep snow pack with two sets of classic tracks: one deeper and well-defined throughout, with the other often off-camber or washed out. This also may have been the first time I didn't see any hiker boot prints or bike tire tracks on the ski tracks. I attribute this to the park staff making adequate and clearly-delineated space for both uses and plowing the non-ski portion down to the blacktop. Well done!
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.
More trail reports...
