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!
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.
Team NordicSkiRacer takes early lead in the Brumbaugh Cup
1/19/2024 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
Team NordicSkiRacer tops the Brumbaugh Cup at the Frosty Freestyle, then extends lead at the Krazy Klassic.
Vasa-Raptors Tuesday race series open to all
1/19/2024 - By Ethan Goss
This is an opportunity for skiers of all abilities in our community to get together for some healthy competition. This event is put on by the Vasa-Raptors team, but everyone is encouraged to participate!
Cote Dame Marie and Boyne Classic wax recommendations!
1/18/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for this weekend's Cote Dame Marie and Boyne Classic Michigan Cup races!
The VASA is all systems go!
1/17/2024 - By North American Vasa
The 48th Annual North American Vasa Festival of Races is on schedule for February 10-11th at Timber Ridge Resort. Many skiers were on the Vasa trail this past weekend and have reported excellent early season ski conditions.
Results: Parrott, Rand, and Thompson win during Frosty Fest Weekend
1/16/2024 - By Mike Muha
It was another miracle at Huron Meadows Metropark: There was no snow...and then there was. But a winter storm arrived just in the nick of time.
New guidance from Toko on how to use and apply waxes
1/11/2024 - By Ian Harvey, with Mike Muha
Toko made a number of changes this season around what waxes to use when. Here's Ian's guidance, followed by questions the use Toko's Liquid Paraffins, Ian's response, a new guidance on applying Toko's Liquid Paraffins.
Wax recommendations for Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic
1/11/2024 - By Mike Muha
Wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup races! The Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic will officially open this year's Michigan Cup!
Crazy, Hard, and Worth It
1/3/2024 - By Mariah Frye Colie
Relive the extraordinary 2023 White Pine Stampede, a race no one will every forget!
Midwest Nordic Rendezvous moves to Forbush Corner
12/31/2023 - By Amy Powell
The skier clinics and PSIA workshops have been moved to Forbush Corner to take advantage of Forbush's snowmaking.
Raffle Fundraiser for Sarah and Reid Goble
12/22/2023 - By James Pryor Jr.
Forbush Corner Nordic has organized a raffle fundraiser to engage the Michigan skiing community to support Sarah and Reid and help them reach their goals. Several of our ski shops, businesses and suppliers have generously donated over $4,000 in prizes!
UPCOMING
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
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
SAT, FEB 14
Shanty Creek - Schuss Mtn: Pine Cone loop (red markers) in fantastic shape with solid classic tracks and a great corduroy skate deck. Multi-Purpose Trail (orange markers) was very skate-able too, though sad to not see any fat tire tracks. The old Poets Loop (blue markers) was mostly groomed (classic & skate) because of the White Pine Stampede last weekend. The hilly cul-de-sac section west of Del Mason Rd was snowmobiled but not groomed - I should not have attempted:)
Winter Brook loop was in stunning shape, this is really a blue square (not black diamond though hilly). Even the east section of Mountain Creek from Pine Cone to the Yellow Lift was great and pretty as it follows the Cedar River. Glad to see some investment in XC at Schuss.
https://www.shantycreek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nordic-Map-2022-Online.pdf
Grass River Nature Area: Groomed classic tracks on the rail trail in good condition in both directions (to Bliss Rd west and Cedar Lane/Comfort Rd to the east). Edges were not as packed so keep your pile plants closer in, but so nice to have a pretty 4 mile out and back groomed trail. The hiking trails that connect might have been groomed too but I did not have time to check them out.
Vasa Trail: Fabulous conditions prevailed at the Vasa 28k today. Track was firm, skate deck solid and fast. It just doesn’t get any better. Forerunners got all the debris out of the trail, volunteers everywhere and to top it off, sunshine!!
Vasa Trail: Spectacular grooming today for the 50th North American Vasa! Deep snow, great skate deck and deep classic tracks. It's warming up fast, so get out and ski while you can.
Stokely Creek: Primo tracks early. Snow was a little slow since it was still totally new snow getting near freezing point for the first time. Sunday could be a little glazed and fast if they lay off grooming or back to creamy smooth if they regroom. Saw evidence of an animal, one wearing skis, take a big piss right in the middle of the trail. The wolves have better manners than that and only mark on the edges.
Boyne Mountain: It's a beautiful day to ski! Trails are in good shape, both for classic and skate. We're grooming late this afternoon for tomorrow.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The sun is out and the skiing is great! We groomed everything this morning, and aside from a few leaves here and there, the trails are wonderful! Come ski with us!
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.
More trail reports...
