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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! <br /><br>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!

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!

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www.usskipoles.com/

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

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LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS

THU, JAN 29

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

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.

TUE, JAN 27

Maybury State Park: Double tracked for classic and plowed for walkers. A-Ski day, no limbs, twigs or bare spots.

Independance Oaks: They rolled everything yesterday but it was a little slow with some fresh powder on top--probably about 3/4" by the time we left. What a season!

Crystal Mountain: Groomed and laid tracks on everything but the hills and the trail to kinlochen. It was tough going. I measured 7.5 at my house 5 miles away. The hills only been packed with the snowmobile. I ran out of time and was afraid of getting stuck. Tim should be able to get them groomed tomorrow.

Huron Meadows Metropark: The only trail open today is Buck's Run (and the connector). Great skate deck, deep classic tracks. It was probably too windy to groom (or ski) the golf course, but I wish they'd groom Cedar Trace and the Contractors Loop.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Talked with Paul at Hudson Mills Metropark office. Said maybe they will roll the golf course on Thursday. He said they have been busy adding new snow to Buck's Run (not sure why) and plowing. If it is just a money thing, I would be willing to pay to ski on all trails, not just Buck's Run. The rental shop suggested the groomers may be short staffed.

Huron Meadows Metropark: Golf courses not rolled, not groomed. Ground cold enough and snow deep enough to perhaps create a nordic skating deck. Echoing the sentiment of Bill Bradley yesterday.
Bucks Run is immaculate.
A committed Livingston County Resident paying for an annual MetroParks pass who wants skate ski terrain.

Michaywe: Groomed and set track on the lake loop, herringbone, and the river trail. Groomed out the skate deck on the front 9 loop. Snow intensity has picked up, most of today's grooming is already starting to get covered with fresh snow.

Cross Country Ski Headquarters: We received about an inch of fresh snow last night. All trails are snow combed, and classic tracks are set. The Stone Turtle Cafe is open for lunch, drinks, and warming up by the fire. Excellent conditions on all trails!

Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning Skiers!! It's a beautiful snowy morning....temperature sitting at -16 C and currently very very lightly snowing.

The groomer was not out this morning, trails are still in great shape.

Mabel Lake Flats was groomed yesterday afternoon as of 3 p.m.

Have a great day everybody!!

Hanson Hills: TUESDAY NORDIC UPDATE — JANUARY 27, 2026

Nordic Trail Update:
Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM
We picked up about ¼ inch of new snow overnight. Blue received a fresh combing pass, and new classic tracks were set on Brown, Yellow, and M-93 Hills.

The rest of the trail system still has a very skiable skate deck and classic tracks, just lightly snow-covered.
Wilderness received fresh tracks yesterday and is skiing well.

Nordic Tuesday Special:
Enjoy the trails today with a $13 Nordic trail pass.

A great day to get out and ski—see you on the trails!

More trail reports...

www.skifastwax.com/
www.cross-country-ski.com


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