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!
The Race Must Go On! White Pine Stampede update
1/30/2024 - By Ben Tarbutton
Just like in 2023, the 2024 WPS Course will use the slopes of Schuss Mountain’s King of The Hill loop. Each loop will total 3.4 km and go up and down 4 ski hills under the downhill ski lights. This course is challenging, but not dangerous.
RESULTS: Beech Nuts Youth Race at Nubs Nob
1/28/2024 - By Bradferd L Miller
The 2024 Beech Nut Jr Race at Nubs Nob on Sunday, January 28, 2024 is in the book, with an international flavor!
Michigan Cup standings as the Boyne Classic
1/28/2024 - By Ken Dawson
After four races, Beckham Haberkorn and Avery Ludlow have the early lead in the Junior Division. Deanna Spencer and Eric Parrott lead the seniors.
NordicSkiRacer maintains narrow lead in Brumbaugh Cup
1/26/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
After four races, Team NordicSkiRacer is still leading but is only 9 points ahead of GRNST and 61 points ahead of HHCCSS. Looks like we are in for a real thriller.
How to prevent snow from sticking to No-Wax Ski Bases
1/26/2024 - By Ian Harvey
Many of the solutions commonly given to avoid this problem while good often don't contain the necessary scope of things to check or address to solve the problem for sure.
FLASH: Noque shortens 50K to 23K!
1/25/2024 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
The 50K has been shortened to a distance of 23K. The 24K has been shortened to a distance of 23K. The 50K and 24K will ski the exact same course (total distance of 23K).
Wax recommendations: Noquemanon Ski Marathon and Hickory Hills JNQ races
1/25/2024 - By Mike Muha
Mixed precipitation in the days leading up to the Noque will transform the snow, and high humidity will result in significant glazing during all races.
Weather forces Noquemanon course changes
1/25/2024 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
Course changes have been made to keep skiers safe and to have a high quality event because of deteriorating conditions for water crossing and expected weather.
Free Junior VASA ski race for ages 5 to 14
1/23/2024 - By Sara Cockrell, Vasa Ski Club Nordic Rocks Coach
This event can be skied in either classic or skate style. Each registered skier will wear a Junior VASA race bib and receive a medal and a goodie bag including a Cherry Republic cookie at the finish.
RESULTS: Wakely and Schlimmer win Boyne Classic 10km
1/22/2024 - By Mike Muha
The Innsbrook Trail at Boyne Mountain has had it's share of victims over the years. The 10K classic race course starts with a long climb that appears deceptively easy...but it's not.
RESULTS: Mandy Paull and Jorden Wakeley win Cote Dame Marie
1/21/2024 - By Mike Muha
It was around 6F at the start of the 2024 Cote Dame Marie at Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling, MI, but the trail was firm and fast...for cold snow
Looking for help with US Biathlon Paralympic skier
1/19/2024 - By Jim Szczygiel
I am looking for one other volunteer who could function as a guide or as a movement analysis and XC technique instructor to join us because, when I am guiding John, I cannot help him improve his technique.
UPCOMING
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
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
SAT, FEB 14
Huron Meadows Metropark: Love the Valentine's Day Buck's Snow and the track to the parking. Like a sweet marshmallow. Definitely worth five bucks.
Winter returns next week.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and Trails open 9am
Groomer Dan is out this morning combing skate lanes across the entire trail system, keeping conditions dialed in for the day.
*Wilderness received fresh tracks yesterday.
FRI, FEB 13
Forbush Corner: Posting tonight for tomorrow. Happy Valentine’s Day! Trails remain in great shape for Presidents’ Day weekend. Open at 9. Gates close at 5pm.
Stoney Creek Metropark: Skied in the afternoon and found snow cover on golf course was much better than anticipated and most of the groomed tracks were still usable. Sunny areas were soft while shady areas were still moderately icy. Stayed out of the woods assuming trails would be an icy chopped up mess because of all the walkers. Golf course skiing should be reasonable for at least one more day.
Huron Meadows Metropark: The snow is a bit packed compared to two days ago when they added new stuff. A bit bumpy but fast. One or two slick spots, but good skiing overall. I was there in the late afternoon.
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: Rte 31 trailhead. The Laurel highlands Hiking Trail runs for 70 miles south to north along Laurel Ridge. Most of the time the skiing is pretty similar across that range. But, I think the snow quality might be noticeably better in the north, by a bit, at this time. I would recommend staying North of Route 30. Snow continues to settle, becoming more mash potato like. There is still well more than a foot in the north facing, high elevations, and you can take downhill runs on the forest roads and pipelines. The occasional Rock is starting to show on parts of the LHHT itself.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Trails are still in great shape after a fresh groom this morning! Skate deck is dreamy and classic tracks are still solid, with a few leaves scattered here and there. The base is thick and will withstand the warm temps this weekend with ease! Tonight will get down to 16F to firm things up for the groomer tomorrow, and the skiing will be great all day, with firm trails in the morning, and slightly softening into the afternoon, but sunny and wonderful to be sure!
Huron Meadows Metropark: 32° and 3mph wind with sunny skies at noon. Outstanding groom of corn snow on Bucks run. My Fischer RCR crown. worked perfectly in these snow conditions, which were identical to yesterday, though air temp 5° warmer. Classic tricks remained in very good condition for the two hours I skied both days. So bright I needed my sunglasses:-) 10 miles/16.1km x2
Hanson Hills: Lodge & trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan is out combing skate lanes across the trail system and will be setting fresh classic tracks on Wilderness today.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Friday the 13th, and we're entering Family Day Weekend!! It's a beautiful, calm, snowy morning....with the trees glistening as the frost covers their branches :) The temperature is -10 C.
The groomers were out last night -- all systems were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, and as well Mabel Lake (Flats and Hills) was groomed. All trails are in super duper shape!!
We hope everybody has a fantastic Friday :)
REMINDER: Check out all of our Family Day Weekend activities on our social media....in particular, note that the Crystal system and the Pinder system will be skied in backwards direction (including all loops) from Saturday to Monday. Enjoy them in a whole new way!
Forbush Corner: Another comfortable day to get out on our trails. Conditions continue to be some of the best ever. Fresh groom on the west side trails and 240 loop. Open 9 to 5.
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.
More trail reports...
