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!
Noque Nordic memberships now available
11/12/2014 - By Noquemanon Trail Network
The Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) now has Nordic ski memberships available for sale at area outlets throughout Marquette County.
Michigan Cup Children's Hospital of Michigan Team Challenge
11/12/2014 - By Becca Beebe
Michigan Cup teams have challenged each other to significantly to the White Pine Stampede donation to Children's Hospital of Michigan.
Straits Striders Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Swap
11/11/2014 - By Jim Harrington
The Straits Striders ski team will hold a Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe swap on Saturday, November 22, from 9:00am until 1:00pm, at the Petoskey Winter Sports Park, in Petoskey, MI.
Continental Divide Thru-Hike – A Journey For The Kids
11/7/2014 - By Ken Dawson
In March of 2015 I will retire and in April will hike the Continental Divide Trail to raise money for an organization called Big City Mountaineers. They work with under-resourced urban youths, inter-city kids raised by single parents...
Nov 20 meeting to discuss VASA Ski/Fat Tire Bike trails
11/3/2014 - By Tim Schreiner
VASA Ski/Fat Tire Bike Coalition has approval from the DNR to create/build 15k of new trails off the VASA Single Track Trail Head located along Supply Road. Hear more on November 20.
Toko US Facebook contest
11/2/2014 - By Ian Harvey
Toko US will ask questions on it's Facebook page, and the first correct recipient receives a prize. Questions will range from Toko trivia to
The NEW NordicSkiRacer: Mobile friendly!
10/31/2014 - By Mike Muha
Out with the old, in with the new: NordicSkiRacer.com gets a new look and become more mobile friendly!
Ski Fest a warm 62 degrees
10/30/2014 - By Curt Peterson
Skiers enjoyed a 62 deg sunny day to race. Overall winners were Steve Smigiel Jr. and Heidi Schwab. Particularly noteworthy was the performance of Ryan Durand, age 12 who finished 3rd overall besting the times of many seasoned Michigan Cup racers.
Vasa Trail committee submits Fat Bike plan to DNR
10/28/2014 - By Mark Esper
A proposal to create a groomed fat bike trail system was submitted to the DNR on September 16, 2014. The DNR has "conceptually approved" this work and is fast-tracking the process. It is our hope that actual approval will be granted very soon.
Skier Ken Roth named Citizen of the Year
10/22/2014 - By Mike Muha
Ken Roth, member of Team NordicSkiRacer, 12-year member of the Northville Schools Board of Education, business man, and one of the people who has made the Frosty Freestyle cross country ski race successful, was named "John Genitti Citzen of the Year".
Make your own rollerski fenders
10/19/2014 - By Randy Kessler
I love everything about my rollerskis except...water from the rear wheel during wet conditions comes onto the back of my leg and fills my boots up very quickly. Here's how I made my own rollerski fenders to keep the water out...
Scavenger hunt kills Kikkan Randall's Olympic dreams
10/18/2014 - By Mike Muha
The Wall Street Journal explains how a scavenger hunt ruined Kikkan Randall's chance at an medal in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Randall, who was the favorite to win the Freestyle Sprint race, failed to even make it out of the quarterfinals.
UPCOMING
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
SAT, FEB 28, 2026
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Freestyle and Classic Pursuit
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 31K Classic
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SUN, MAR 1, 2026
Michigan Middle School and High School Championships - Mixed Relay
Hickory Hills Ski Area, 2000 Randolph St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Black Mountain 12km Freestyle
The Chateau at Black Mountain, 10621 Twin Lakes Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
TUE, FEB 17
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We groomed the practice field today, but left the main network alone so as not to do any damage with the warmer temps. Skate deck is still firm and very skiable, classic tracks are a bit glazed over in many spots, with a few good sections still out there. There is some mixed precipitation forecast for tonight and depending on which way the temperatures swing, we will certainly have some kind of news tomorrow! If we get snow, and the trails firm up, we will groom, if we get rain and the trails get mushy, we will not groom. Only time will tell.
Hanson Hills: Update:
Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93 and Easy Return received fresh grooming. New tracks on Yellow, Brown, M-93 and Easy Return.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning Everyone!! It's going to be another warm day.....temperature already sitting at -2 C.
The groomer was out this morning -- The complete Pinder system and the 2k Lighted were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate. The skate lanes were freshened up on the Crystal system with the Ginzu.
We hope everyone has a fantastic day!!
Hanson Hills: TUESDAY UPDATE — FEBRUARY 17, 2026
?? Nordic Trail Update:
?? Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Trails are firm and fast this morning. Blue and M-93 received a fresh groom first thing and are skiing great to start the day.
Groomer Justin had to step away for a 9:00 AM meeting but will be back out shortly to continue grooming operations.
A beautiful day to get out and glide—see you on the trails! ??
Dunes Golf Club: Holy wah!
Crust alert! Now till daily warm up, short lived due to a wet forcast.
Not to worry the slab is here till final spring showers rains it out.
Of course sun up is the time to be on it, mornings are always best of course.
What a way to celebrate the winter.
No need for e-skimo skis here minimal friction and hyper glides.
Plowed parking as always.
No fees as always
4 mi east of empire on m-72
2nd highest elevation in leelanau county
MON, FEB 16
Huron Meadows Metropark: Classic skied from 12 to 2. Decent donditions with good tracks. Areas in shade were really good and sunny spots were slower. Still nice to get out and do somethng. Connector still there for now.
Hopefully traiil in the woods makes it through the next few warm days. Maybe we get another week or so iin woods with no connector if all goes well.
Thanks for doing what you guys do to keep us going in trying weather conditios.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: What a fantastic weekend, with the excellent skiing and sunny skies! While the base is still very strong, the warmth and sun have created slickness in the classic tracks. The skating lanes have been snowcombed this morning, and the hard pack is softening up as the sun climbs higher. Peak conditions will be when the snow has softened but not started to melt, probably between 11-2 today.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM.
Groomer Dan is out this morning laying fresh corduroy on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93.
Forbush Corner: Trails are holding up very well in spite of the recent warmup. Grooming will be limited today to preserve the base. Open 9 to 5.
SUN, FEB 15
Maybury State Park: Perfect day to use your B skis. The base at Maybury is still pretty solid and was very icy this morning. I’m guessing will be slushy this afternoon. Most of the tracks are decent except that people have walked on them and the sun doesn’t help. I saw one other skier out there this morning. Enjoy the natural snow while you can!
Vasa Trail: Absolutely gorgeous morning and amazing grooming. The snow that was compacted and icy from yesterday’s warm up was transformed into perfect conditions for skating. Tracks looked great as well for striding. Should be great another great day for the Vasa races.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Groomer Mike is out snowcombing the skate lanes, and the tracks are still mostly in good shape, albeit a little glazed over here and there. Should be a fun day for getting out in the winter woods!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am
Groomer Dan is out this morning laying fresh corduroy on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93, keeping the trail system in great shape.
Vasa Trail: Best ever Vasa trail for North American Vasa race
More trail reports...
