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!
Speed and Power
9/13/2011 - By Mike Muha
Video of Simi Hamilton and Liz Stephen side by side in a speed and power workout. The kicker? He skates, she classics.
Rollerski gloves on the cheap
9/13/2011 - By Mike Muha
It's always a quandary about what gloves to use for rollerskiing. Use my expensive ski gloves? Use some expensive full-fingered mountain bike gloves? Buy expensive gloves meant just for rollerskiing? Let's head to Lowe's....
US Ski Team names skiers to Teams
9/9/2011 - By US Ski Team
The U.S. Ski Team is proud of its Elite Development Pipeline. This is a list of athletes that have qualified for A-Team, B-Team, D-Team, National Training Group (NTG), National Elite Group (NEG), and National J2 Camp for 2011-12.
Ladies ski clinics begin in Marquette
9/9/2011 - By NMU Nordic Team
NMU Ski Coaches and ski team are once agian offering a two biweekly ladies ski clinics, starting September 21 and going till the Noque.
Salomon's S-LAB Skate Quiver 2012
9/9/2011 - By Salomon
Salomon describes the three skate skis that make up in S-LAB quiver for the 2011-2012 season: the Equipe 10 S-Lab Skate Cold, Warm, and Soft Ground skate skis.
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.
UPCOMING
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
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)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, FEB 6
Huron Meadows Metropark: 29° and 10mph at 12:45pm. I classic skied with fresh Swix purple grip. Fast, flat, clean tracks were awesome at the start. I felt Olympian flying down the straightaways, my speed increasing as the temp climbed to 31° and the tracks acquired a subtle glaze. As the trail received more traffic, the curves lost their tracks and steep sides became shallow. Wind increased substantially over 2.5 hrs, but Buck’s was protected, and only when I skied back to the shop, did my speed slow significantly.
I had not been to HM in 3 years and yesterday explored Maltby Vista, Cedar trace and Coyote run, which were not recently groomed and frustrating due to stretches of grass in the track or tracks completely gone. With a couple inches of snow and a fresh groom, many more km should be good to go.
Big M: All the ski trails were groomed today and are looking great for another beautiful winter weekend. Enjoy!
Hartwick Pines: It was a little blustery but a warm day on the Hartwick trails. The sun even came out to add a warm glow to the snow filled air. Hit the Aspen and deer run loops they combed the 2” of reported snow from last nightand were just finishing up laying deep tracks as we were finishing. Thanks to all the crew we had a terrific ski!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Grooming Mike is out snowcombing the fresh bit of snow we received last night, and conditions are excellent! Looking like a wonderful weekend for skiing!
Hiawatha Highlands: Happy End of the Week Friday!! The sun is fabulously shining and it's a stunning morning up here.....temperature -4 C. We received a small amount of snow overnight, but nothing to slow us down :)
The groomer was out early this morning -- all systems were Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate, and are in prime shape.
Now, take a moment....imagine a life without winter. No slowflakes dancing on your eyelashes, no excuse to wear that questionable, but warm, hat your aunt knitted.....but, more important of all -- no skiing!! We can't imagine!
So, come on up and do something amazing today :)
Boyne Mountain: Trails freshly groomed this week (including Vistas). Touching up around the lower trails this morning. Should be another great week of skiing! Stay warm tomorrow!
Forbush Corner: Another winter day on tap, keeping the trail system in great shape. All terrain open, west side gets the fresh groom today. Open 9 to 5. Gates close soon thereafter.
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Groomer Dan has been out since 3:30 AM laying down fresh comb and classic tracks in about 2 inches of new snow. Conditions are looking fantastic to start the day.
THU, FEB 5
Maybury State Park: Great conditions on paved paths at Maybury State Park. Deep snow pack with two sets of classic tracks: one deeper and well-defined throughout, with the other often off-camber or washed out. This also may have been the first time I didn't see any hiker boot prints or bike tire tracks on the ski tracks. I attribute this to the park staff making adequate and clearly-delineated space for both uses and plowing the non-ski portion down to the blacktop. Well done!
Milham Park Golf Course: Entire system re set. Skate lane is nice and flat but the new cold snow is making it a bit slow. Not a complaint, I have learned to never complain about fresh snow. Classic track was getting pretty snow filled so re set that but will likely fill back in pretty soon so--calling all skiers to get out there and keep it skied in.
DaveD
Kensington Metropark: Hit the classic tracks on golf course and woodland trail #2. Excellent deep hard groom. Shout outs to the Kensington groomers! Skate track looked great. Weather forecasts suggest at least another week of great skiing. Nice to have this is southern MI again.
Vasa Trail: A little more snow, a morning-fresh installation of corduroy on the skate lane, and excellent conditions prevailed throughout the trail system with yesterday's machine-set classic tracks holding up well. At 28F the LF7 was working well providing good glide.
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received 2-3 inches of snow this morning so far. The grooming team has snow combed all the trails and is resetting tracks on Tall Pines and Trappers Cabin. The plan is to set fresh tracks on the rest of the trails tomorrow after the snowfall ends. All trails are open and it's wintery magic to the highest degree out there!
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
We’re expecting 1–3 inches of snowfall today. Groomer Dan is out this morning combing Yellow, Brown, Blue, and Easy Return with the Tidd Tech.
After this morning’s pass, we’ll allow the new snow to accumulate and plan to regroom tomorrow morning for the best possible conditions.
Senior Thursday Special (65+):
Enjoy the trails today with $13 Nordic trail passes.
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning our snow lovers!! It's a gorgeous morning, lightly snowing, and calm.....temperature currently sitting at -8 C.
The groomer was out this morning -- the 2k Lighted was PB groomed for both classic and skate, the Pinder system skate lanes were freshened up with the ginzu.
The trail awaits -- there's always joy to be found, so come on up and learn something beautiful today.
Forbush Corner: Looks like light snow will be falling all day, temperatures climbing into the high 20’s. 100% coverage on all trails, east side trails getting a fresh groom for skate and classic. Open 9 to 5.
Forbush Corner: Looks like light snow will be falling all day, temperatures climbing into the high 20’s. 100% coverage on all trails, east side trails getting a fresh groom for skate and classic. Open 9 to 5.
More trail reports...
