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
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
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
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, JAN 30
Forbush Corner:
Some important information regarding tomorrow’s race.
- Day of Registration and bib pick up begins at 0830 in the yurt.
- Please park as efficiently as possible. Volunteers will help direct you.
- Overflow parking is on the east side of South Roberts Rd.
- 15k race starts at 10am on Linda’s Link near the flags.
- 5k race starts at 10:05.
- Finish for both races is by the ski school.
- Race course will have classic tracks.
- Course is marked with signs, arrows and v-boards. If it is not groomed, it is not the race course. There will be volunteers guiding skiers at selected intersections.
- There will be trails available for non-racers.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Friday 4:15pm beautiful sunshine but deceiving at 10° F. Skated contractors back meadows loop and Hawk Hills (south golf course). Plenty of snow and more firm with buttery soft pole plants compared to Bucks which was nice. Hoping HM crew can get a full groom in tomorrow morning which will make a great Saturday. Cheers!
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.
More trail reports...
