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!
RESULTS: Flying Squirrel Freestyle Race!
1/25/2025 - By Beth Major
Sun and crisp cold temps greeted the 50 racers who gathered at Crystal Mountain XC center for the 7th annual Flying Squirrel Freestyle race on Sunday Jan. 19th. Skiers came from Crystal Nordic, Vasa Raptors, Lake Michigan XC, and Icy Instincts.
Wax recommendations for the Boyne Classic and Beech Nuts Junior Race
1/23/2025 - By Mike Muha
Getr waxing! Wax recommendations for the Boyne Classic and Beech Nuts Junior Race
Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop continues lead in Brumbaugh Cup
1/21/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The HHCCSS team wasted no time getting down to business at the Cote Dame Marie, finishing first in both the men's and women's division in the Brumbaugh Cup.
RESULTS: Jorden Wakeley and Rebecca Davis win Cote Dame Marie for HH/CCSS
1/20/2025 - By Mike Muha
UPDATED! ADDED LINK TO RESULTS! It was pure pleasure to be racing the Cote Dame Marie on a course with nice snow and grooming!
2025 Noquemanon Ski Marathon CANCELLED!
1/16/2025 - By Noquemanon Ski Marathon
The snow we received has unfortunately left us without confidence in our ability to run even a modified distance course safely this year
Cote Dame Marie may run slightly shorter race
1/16/2025 - By Justin Andre
The red trail base is improving, but as much as I want to include this section, it currently has a marginal and bumpy base that I fear would not positively showcase our trail system or our grooming efforts. We may shorten the race.
Team NSR wins Krazy Klassic but remains 3rd in Brumbaugh Cup
1/16/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
When the smoke cleared. Team NSR had won the day with 36 points, ending in third place with 308 points in overall Brumbaugh Cup. HHCCSS and GRNST weathered the storm, remaining in first and second place.
Team NordicSkiRacer moves to 3rd in Brumbaugh Cup after Frosty Freestyle
1/15/2025 - By Ernie Brumbaugh
The Michigan Cup moved South for a weekend of races at Huron Meadows Metropark near Brighton. This is Team NordicSkiRacer’s home course and the defending Brumbaugh Cup champions began their defense. It was a defense of no small proportions.
White Pine announces 2025 course!
1/15/2025 - By White Pine Stampede
The 10k race will be slightly longer at just over 11k, the 20k course should be just over 21k, and our long course will be around 42 km.
Vasa Ski Club Raptors Tuesday Night Race Series kicks off tonight!
1/14/2025 - By Ethan Goss
We’re kicking off our Tuesday Night Race Series again at Hickory Hills this week! It’s a 5-race series featuring various race formats and styles. These are free, community-based events open to everyone and are a lot of fun.
RESULTS: Vasa Raptor Rush Nordic Ski Race Fundraiser
1/14/2025 - By Mike Muha
The Vasa Raptor Rush Nordic Ski Race Fundraiser ran on the a world-class FIS-homologated cross country ski course at Hickory Hills in Traverse City, MI. Races were held for middle school skiers, juniors, and adults and ranged from 2.5km to 10km.
Photos (hundreds!) from Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic
1/14/2025 - By Mike Muha
Chris Lamer and Rachel Rosenbaum took great photos of the Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic races (respectively) - hundreds of photos! These are all available for download for free.
UPCOMING
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)
TUE, FEB 24, 2026
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
WED, FEB 25, 2026
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
THU, FEB 26, 2026
CANCELLED: Detroit Public Schools kids learn to ski
Huron Meadows Metropark, 8765 Hammel Rd, Brighton, MI 48116
More events...
LATEST TRAIL CONDITIONS
WED, FEB 11
Huron Meadows Metropark: Any update on conditions at Huron Meadows for a late afternoon or early evening skate today would be much appreciated
Huron Meadows Metropark:
TUE, FEB 10
Maybury State Park: Tracks were still holding up but sticky at 2 pm. Leaf litter and some sticks. Used skin skis.
I will try tomorrow,probably double pole only.
Nubs Nob: Fresh groom this morning for the skate deck & classic tracks. Exceptional conditions!!!
Quail Hollow State Park: It's 50° and the snow is holding up better than I expected. I never wax! In the middle of doing all the purple trail and plan to do some or all of the green trail. Downhills still had deep snow on them and not icy. No bare spots yet. Back in the pines by Pontius there were occasional but very easily avoidable tree roots. Snow will probably hold until tomorrow. Get it while you can, Janis.
Huron Meadows Metropark: Brilliant sunshine & blue skies. 39 degrees when I finished skate skiing today. Blue high speed wax good to 21 degrees was good enough for me. No new grooming but Cedar Trace was lovely for two loops - only had to dodge a small bit of animal litter and footsteps (who in the world are these residents that walk on skate decks!? I always like to think they just need larger signage).
Bucks was soft....Was hearing the 1994 Tune, "Here Comes the Hotstepper" --- Am wondering if spreading of snow on the golf course and Coyote Connector could keep things covered in coming days. Snow dance underway...
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: Conditions are fabulous. Our base is very strong and the trails have a fresh snow comb as of this morning. Temps will rise today, so best conditions will be earlier. Enjoy lunch at the Stone Turtle Cafe today, and demo a new pair of skis for free!
Hanson Hills: TUESDAY UPDATE — FEBRUARY 10, 2026
Nordic Trail Report:
Fresh classic tracks are set on Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93 Hills. Skate lanes are looking great across the entire trail system, making for solid conditions no matter your style today.
Nordic Tuesday Special:
Enjoy the trails with $13 trail passes every Tuesday.
A great day to get out and ski—see you on the trails!
Hiawatha Highlands: Good Morning Snow Lovers!! We got quite a bit of snow overnight, but it's shaping up to be a fantastic day (but isn't it always if you're up here skiing?!). The temperature right now is -4 C.
The groomer is currently out -- the Pinder system is complete, both classic and skate, he is currently on the 2k lighted. The Red Pine and Crystal systems will follow. All systems Piston Bully groomed for both classic and skate.
Mabel Hills is now open as of yesterday afternoon :)
Have a great Tuesday....come on up and enjoy this awesome day!
MON, FEB 9
Towpath Trail: Trail by Center Road was wonderful. Snow holding up well. Surprisingly not bumpy as it's a multi use path.
Towpath Trail: Trail by Center Road was wonderful. Snow holding up well. Surprisingly not bumpy as it's a multi use path.
Independance Oaks: All trails freshly rolled this morning. No classic trax to speak of. Slightly softer with temps up to 25 degrees. Saw a pair of Asnes wood skis gliding through the woods. The good old days.
Forbush Corner: Excellent grooming, great snow
Forbush Corner:
Hanson Hills: After yesterday’s -14F start in the Forbush Classic, today’s balmy skate at Hanson at 28 degrees almost felt tropical. Flew around the red trail on immaculately groomed system. A few leaves on the skate deck which caught me on an uphill ( ugly) but not an issue elsewhere. Tracks were concentrating the leaves. I wish I knew what was on my skis as I was flying. Thank you for the excellent ski!!
Hanson Hills: Best grooming of the season. First tracks after 10 am every trail. Immaculate conditions today and great last week. Feeling so blessed to skate ski at Hanson this year!!!
Cross Country Ski Headquarters: After a great weekend of skiing, we're ready to get back at it! Groomer Butch is out freshening up all the trails and this week surely looks warmer than the last, with good skiing ahead!
Hiawatha Highlands: It's Monday morning....we hope everybody had a great weekend! The temperature right now is -11 C, with no snow overnight.
Due to the cold temperatures overnight, keeping the trails stable, no grooming was done.
In the words of the groomer, "the skate lanes and tracks are in immaculate shape."
Now, I'm no expert, but I am pretty sure that we'll never look back thinking "we went skiing too much!" So come on up and enjoy another fantastic day on the trails :)
Hanson Hills: Lodge and trails open at 9:00 AM. Grooming operations are underway this morning with fresh corduroy being laid on Red, Yellow, Brown, Blue, and M-93—great conditions to start the week.
Forbush Corner: After a very busy day yesterday, east trails and pines loop were regroomed after the classic race. The west side will get the fresh groom today along with the 240 loop. Conditions continue to be the best ever. Open 9 to 5 today. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday per usual.
More trail reports...
