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!
World Cup heads to France
12/4/2008 - By FIS
The Viessmann FIS Cross-Country World Cup will continue in La Clusaz (FRA, Haute Savoie). The touristic resort with the Cross-Country stadium at the high plateau "Les Confins" (1450m) has already 35 cm of natural snow.
Toko Midwest Wax Clinic Schedule
12/4/2008 - By Ian Harvey
Toko will hold a number of waxing clinics in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconson, and Minnesota. Here's the complete list to date.
Kuusamo Sprints on TV tonight
12/4/2008 - By Mike Balduf
According to the Universal Sports web site, last Saturday's Kuusamo classic sprint races for men and women will air on Thursday, December 4, at 6:50 p.m. ET.
Fischer RCS Carbonlite ski technology review
12/4/2008 - By Fischer
Combining this knowledge of carbon-composite material design with our proven Air Core technology, a state of the art Computer Flex Control pairing system and a industry-leading base preparation process places the RCS Carbonlite ski at the summit of racing
Sunday's XC World Cup races in Finland
12/3/2008 - By Mike Balduf
Universal Sports has video of Sunday's XC World Cup races in Finland. It's the complete races (not just highlights) with no annoying voice-over commentary, just ambient race sounds like cowbells, coaches' exhortations to their skiers, and skis sliding on
New WADA code: Updated FIS Anti-Doping Rules 2009
12/3/2008 - By FIS
The primary change to the athlete whereabouts requirements is that it will be necessary for the athlete to identify one specific 60-minute time slot between 6am and 11pm each day at a specific location where they will be available for testing.
Fischer boot canting technology flattens ski for better glide
12/3/2008 - By Fischer
Fischer has developed a canting system so the boot can adjust perfectly to the respective leg position. A special key can be used to adjust the boot to the lower leg axis with just one turn.
14 Projects Receive American Birkebeiner Skier Development Grants
12/3/2008 - By Cherie Morgan
Fourteen youth cross country ski programs will get a boost this winter thanks to funding from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF). The Foundation recently awarded $12,500 to programs around the country targeted to youth skiers.
Grooming is everything at Huron Meadows
12/2/2008 - By Denise H. Semion
Lots of new and great things at Huron Meadows this year. 7.5 miles of skating and 12ish miles of classic, new trails, new maps and trail signs on the way, new grooming equipment to help speed up the grooming after the snows.
Big Cluster
12/2/2008 - By Zach Caldwell
Our delay in Rovaniemi was nice while it lasted, but it meant a late night - arriving at the hotel in Helsinki at about 1:30AM. Grover had an early flight and was out the door before 5:30.
RCS Carbonlite boot technology
12/2/2008 - By Fischer
Fischer discusses the technology found in their RCS Carbonlite skate and classic boots.
The secret to fast skis
12/2/2008 - By Rick Reynolds
I've got almost 50 years of skiing experience and some people think I've got fast skis. If this is true it's because I keep things simple.
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)
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
FRI, FEB 6
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.
WED, FEB 4
Nubs Nob: Mother Nature’s snow - Nubs groom : it doesn’t any better - LF 7 works .
Understand there is a 28 inch hard pack base beneath that groom ! See you in April at Nub’s .
Nubs Nob: Mother Nature’s snow - Nubs groom : it doesn’t any better - LF 7 works .
Understand there is a 28 inch hard pack base beneath that groom ! See you in April at Nub’s .
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: Two feet of snow in the Laurel Highlands, fairly soft, and tough trail breaking on the LHHT. Ski trails and/or skining up and descending a better bet, or the snowmobile trails off peak hours. Or, bring a small army of skiers and take turns on the front.
Vasa Trail: Another Piston Bully groom, perfect classic tracks & corduroy, low 20s temp & no wind = great afternoon ski! I even passed 3 groomers skiing Special K, John S, Mike B, & Jim D, and thanked them for their dedication to making the trail so nice for all to enjoy! You can too at Sat’s Open House at the Bartlett Trailhead from 10-1. Come by to see all of the grooming equipment & enjoy some hot chocolate & cookies, too!
Independance Oaks: Fresh groom with very shallow skied in tracks here and there. Skate deck very firm. Hills on Oak & Rock Ridge fast and fun. Blue swix was perfect again. Leather arm chairs in rental building. Nice homey touch.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Classic skied bucks, coyote and cedar trace. Bucks is in great condition for skate or classic. A little soft today since they added snow.
Coyote has grass and dirt in some tracks but can be avoided. Cedar trace doesn't have tracks till you get out there. But the loop is good.
Thanks again evryone at HM
Noteced most of the snow piles are gone. Any chance one of the guns can be turned back on. We usually get to ski till the first week of March.
Thanks again.
Huron Meadows Metropark: I mostly skated the golf course trails. Firm skate deck, deep classic tracks with occasional (easily avoided) dirty spots. I used my good skis and had a great time.
Crystal Mountain: I groomed everything yesterday. Trails are in great shape.
Independance Oaks: Skied at 8:30 am around lake and the back hills all trail freshly rolled(no tracks) great skate
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
Red, Brown, Yellow, Blue, Easy Return and M-93 Hills were combed and tracked yesterday.
More trail reports...
