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!
Hurricane Irene interrupts Summer Biathlon Championships
9/8/2011 - By Doug Hoover
After the first two days of beautiful weather, Hurricane Irene arrived and forced the cancellation of the third and final race. As the national championship is a best-2-out-of-3 series, the cancellation of the third race changed the scoring dynamics...
Grand Marais 50k Roller Ski Marathon set limit at 100 skiers
9/7/2011 - By Nikki Darrow
The inaugural Grand Marais Roller Ski Marathon course is approximately 50k (30 miles) of open road through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along beautiful Lake Superior, one of the most scenic rides in the Great Lakes region.
2011 Southern Ontario Training Camp
9/6/2011 - By Jim Mihell
Check out the dryland exercises in the second half of the video. This 5 day camp featured over 100 athletes and 30 coaches from Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.
September intensity and strength sessions at Kensington Metropark.
9/6/2011 - By Mike Muha
Every Tuesday in September will be intensity night, with a session focused on training at or near race speed. Every Wednesday in September will be strength night, with a session focused on general and specific strength training.
Athlete Spotlight: Simi Hamilton
9/1/2011 - By USSA
I have a very competitive personality, so cross country racing seemed like a great thing to start doing when I was about 12 or 13. That and my mom basically forced me to do it...
Elite cross-country skiing linked to increased risk of subsequent arrhythmias
8/31/2011 - By European Society of Cardiology
A Swedish study presented at the ESC Congress 2011 today, found a higher incidence of arrhythmias in cross-country skiers with a long history of endurance training.
Tech Trails now one of nation's top six cross-country ski courses
8/30/2011 - By Dennis Walikainen
Thanks to recent improvements, the Tech Trails now qualify for national and international cross country ski races, one of only six such systems in the nation, according to the team that did all the hard work.
Czech skier Petr Novak wins Kangaroo Hoppet
8/29/2011 - By FIS
The first skier across the line in the premier 30km Freestyle event was Petr Novak from the Czech Republic, making it the third time in the event’s 21 year history that a Czech skier has won.
Giant Labor Day Weekend Sale & Free Ski Walking Clinic
8/29/2011 - By Bob Frye
A hot summer is usually followed by a cool winter! Get ready this Labor Day weekend as we present the Cross Country Ski Headquarters Labor Day Weekend Sale!
Kangaroo Hoppet on 27 August 2011
8/25/2011 - By FIS
Unusually warm weather over the last four weeks has affected snow conditions. With fine weather expected for the next week it has been decided to use an alternative course on the plateau above Falls Creek village.
NTN to remove XC ski trail lights
8/24/2011 - By Mike Muha
The Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) has been unable to raise money to continue lighting a cross country ski trail at the Forestville trailhead in Marquette, Michigan.
The mechanics of ski walking and ski bounding
8/23/2011 - By Mike Muha
An excellent CXC Skiing video showing how to ski walk (one foot always on the ground) and ski bound (some air time) with correct technique.
UPCOMING
FRI, JAN 30, 2026
Winter Feast
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
SAT, JAN 31, 2026
Masters World Cup 2026 in Sappada/ITA - Middle Distance Races
Sappada - Forni Avoltri, Italy
Forbush Freestyle
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
Free Beginner Ski Lesson
Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, MI 48653 (800-832-2663)
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, JAN 30
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.
THU, JAN 29
Independance Oaks: Trail around lake was groomed maybe a day prior. There were multiple classic tracks skied in, but nothing machine set groomer. It was skatable but just barely. It seems that a tracked vehicle went over much of the trail system without a grooming sled leaving behind two rows of tracks on top of the previously groomed surface. I am curious why they did this? I made for very marginally skating but doable. It would be nice if they kept vehicles off the trail after it is groomed as it really tears up the surface for both skaters and classic skiers. I believe if they would machine set classic tracks that would limit the amount of people setting multiple tracks all over the place. As a skater I try minimize skate over classic tracks but when you have 3,4 or even 5 sets of classic tracks set across the trail it makes impossible to stay off of them. Please pick a side and stay on it. Very frustrating skating but better than nothing I guess? I picked up most of the twigs, no bare spots, mustly firm around the lake but very chaotic classic tracks made for a bumpy slow ride. Doable just not enjoyable. Combat skiing at best.
Kensington Metropark: I skated the golf course at Kensington around 4pm. There was fresh corduroy and the trail was wide and firm. There's one gnarly spot on top of a hill on hole #7, but it was manageable. Great to have multiple skiing options in SE Michigan!
Big M: Given that we couldn't groom Catamount earlier this week, due to too much snow, today the Fat bike groomers came to our rescue. They ran their snowmobile and heavy tire bike trail grooming equipment over Catamount. This should allow for a nice groom with ski tracks for the weekend.
Milham Park Golf Course: Cold conditions and lots of snow have made grooming our little golf course track a challenge but with that said the skate deck has been rolled, re rolled, and groomed with our razor. It is soft but should set up nicely--way better than what a number or intrepid skaters have been hacking through (you guys are tough!!) An exterior classic loop has also been set as well as a nice meandering Tom N interior loop. In allmost 10k of classic track. Dave D
Vasa Trail: It was a cold morning ski with the sun shining. The grooming today was World Class. The base was firm and fast for skating or classical. The only thing that could have made it better would be about 10 degrees warmer.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning!! It's definately a cold, brisk morning up here, with a beautiful bluebird sky.....temperature -29 C.
No grooming was done overnight as no snow fell overnight (yes, no snow), and the trails are still in fantastic condition.
Have a great day....bundle up and stay warm!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: The grooming team is snow combing all the trails and setting fresh tracks. The sun is shining and there's no wind - it's beautiful out there! Just wear the right layers and you'll stay plenty warm. Enjoy these incredible conditions, then come inside for a warm drink and a bowl of spicy chili!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Echoing Local L here. Skated at 6pm last night. Contractors and the north golf course are in good shape and should set up nicely in the coming days. Wanted to call out for the classic skiers that there ARE tracks on both Contractors and the golf course. Contractors seemed better, golf course had some (easily avoidable) leaves here and there.
Hanson Hills: ?? TRAIL UPDATE — THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026 ??
?? Nordic Trail Update:
?? Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
We received a light dusting of snow overnight. Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, M-93, and Easy Return all received fresh classic tracks and corduroy yesterday and are skiing very well.
Our Pisten Bully is currently receiving maintenance, so Groomer Dan will be delayed this morning and will be grooming with the snowmobile and Tidd Tech once temperatures rise a bit.
Even with the delay, skiing should be excellent today.
??? Senior Thursday Special (65+):
Enjoy the trails today with $13 Nordic trail passes.
Forbush Corner: Oops .We are DELAYING opening today and Friday to 10 am due to the frigid temperatures. Fresh groom for skate and classic on the East side trails today. Gates close at 5.
Forbush Corner: We are DELAYING opening today and Friday to 10 pm due to the frigid temperatures. Fresh groom for skate and classic on the East side trails today. Gates close at 5.
WED, JAN 28
Big M: All the trails, except advanced trails Oh Me II and Catamount, were groomed Jan. 27th. There has been a lot of new snow (again) since the last groom over the past weekend. The Ranger was struggling to get up bigger hills so the 2 advanced trails weren't groomed. We did drive the Catamount trail without the grooming trailer to keep access to that trail available for now.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Delightful ski at 445 pm. Skated on Coyote, Cedar Trace, Contractor's loop twice and the connector loop to south parking. When they are viable for skating, I prefer the grooming conditions and connectors with less traffic to Bucks Run. My heart sang when I realized Cedar Trace was groomed as it is my favorite area to skate ski at HM...and it feels like too many years since possible.
Maybe some tall grass sticking up along Coyote but no pavement, maybe some ridges to navigate but if you were light on your feet/attentive, it was all quite good.
Saw the largest buck I've seen in quite some time jump across the Contractor's Loop at 543 pm (sunset) and numerous females.
Thank YOU to the groomer(s) and to the Metroparks staff & leadership for making this a priority.
Vasa Trail: The groomers have used the piston bully everyday this week and the trail (not kidding) may be the best the trail has ever been groomed in the history of the vasa course. In the early days we didn't have a piston bully and with all the snow and the warmups, the base was able to get solid and the non-stop snow allowed the groomers to level the surface like never before. The trail is so wide you can almost skate side by side. The vasa race is going to spectacular so register now and join the fun. Not a racer, no problem, join the 6k tour a non-competitive event untimed with no placement finishes. Got any kids? , have them sign up for Big Foot Relay. It is free!
Stokely Creek: Hakon Lien is in super shape for the 35k loppet Saturday. Best for classic skiing with cold snow climbing in the tracks all the way. Wolf tracks on Roth and Suomi in the afternoon but it went unseen in between multiple skiers and groomers.
Maybury State Park: Fresh groom on double set tracks tracks are a little.Shallow but it's still great
Huron Meadows Metropark: A quick ski on Bucks Run and Cedar Trace today. Bucks is in excellent condition with a firm deck and fast conditions and possibly the best it has been this year. Cedar Trace had been rolled and was slightly soft, but still very skiable. The conditions should continue to be fantastic for the next few days. Thanks to the HM crew for some of the best conditions yet.
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: LHHT--Northern Terminus. A foot of dense snow covers Western Pennsylvania and most everywhere else. The snowpack is a mix of existing snow and the 14"+ that fell on Sunday the 25th. It is really a thick consistency. Even the steeper, rockier parts of the LHHT are quite skiable. You can even ski off-piste in the forested city parks in Pittsburgh right now, a real rarity.
Stinchfield Woods : Stinchfield was snowy and beautiful. About half of the trails I went on had some foot traffic, but it wasn't too annoying. There were some fallen logs, but they were mostly on flats and easy to navigate. The roller coaster was in fine shape.
Also stopped by Hudson Mills afterwards. Their website says it was rolled on Saturday (before the snow storm) . Overall, a pleasant ski on skier made tracks, in fluffy snow.
Kensington Metropark: Beautiful trackset in the woods. A loop was perfect, B loop a little wind blown in the open areas. Thank you groomers!
Huron Meadows Metropark: Wed 12:30-1:15pm - South golf course not rolled or groomed. Parked at first lot on left. Groomed from there and headed towards contractors loop, it was groomed and tracks set once you got out to the loop. Soft and slow for skate, tracks had grass and dirt showing. Did 1/2 of Coyote and bailed. Soft, slow and digging trenches. Had it been rolled on Monday today would have been great. Really bummed they are not rolling and packing down the fresh snow and then grooming. If you are strong and robust stick with Bucks unless things firm up. Cheers!
Stoney Creek Metropark: Almost all trails have fresh park set tracks, but exposed areas were sometimes drifted over. There are some oak leave patches in the woods where deer have been digging for acorns. Despite these issues skiing was the best I've seen at Stoney in a long time,
Kensington Metropark: A fresh groom on the golf course, really, really nice conditions. I highly recommend Kensington today!
Vasa Trail: Outstanding grooming and snow conditions. Hard set tracks, excellent skate deck. Get out and ski and consider volunteering for the vasa ski races at vasa.org
Michaywe: Another couple inches of snow during the day yesterday. Groomed the skate deck on maple ridge. Groomed and set track on the rest of the trail system. Conditions remain good! 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.
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy Snowy Morning!! Sounding like a broken record here, but....it is an absolutely gorgeous morning up here. The trees are winter white after the snowfall and it's serenely calm!!
The groomer is currently out -- the 2k Lighted and the Pinder system were finished around 8:45 a.m., he is currently out on the Crystal system and will then head to the Red Pine system. All systems are Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, and looking fantastic!
Come on up and take advantage of our beautiful trails -- no noise, no stress....it's just you, the snow, and the sound of your skis :)
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Fresh grooming on all trails today. Come on out and enjoy these exceptional winter conditions!
Hanson Hills: WEDNESDAY NORDIC UPDATE — JANUARY 28, 2026
Nordic Trail Update:
Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
We received about 2 inches of new snow yesterday—a nice refresh for the trail system.
Groomer Dan is getting a well-earned day of rest today. Justin will be heading out on the groomer after this morning’s GRA Board meeting, which means grooming efforts will begin around 9:30 AM.
Red Trail will be the first pass once grooming starts.
More trail reports...
