Winter Thrive Guide 2021

Winter THRIVE guide

36

www.VolumeOne.org

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

E

Winter THRIVE guide

GLIDE INTO A NEW YEAR: E.C. GETS CROKICURL RINK get ready to slide and glide through Pinehurst Park's new way to play

A

WORDS BY REBECCA MENNECKE

fter Altoona iced up last winter to become the nation’s new epicenter of the growing Canadian sport crokicurl, Eau Claire decided being Kubb Capital of the North wasn’t enough, and they too wanted to try their hand at this unique new wintertime sport. So this winter, Eau Clairians can glide and slide through a crokicurl court of their own at Pinehurst Park.

“We thought, if (Altoona) has one, why not see where we can put one?” said Christine Mohr, facility and program supervisor for Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.

“It’s a reason to get people outside and try something new.”

Crokicurl combines the Olympic ice sport of curling with crokinole, a Canadian board game in which players flick small chips toward the highest-ranking region on an octagonal board. Crokicul, however, is played on a large ice rink and substitutes curling stones for small chips.

Crokicurl rocks will be available at the warming shelter at Pinehurst Park (where you can also check out sleds, snowshoes, and kubb sets

S

Pinehurst Park, Eau Claire

for free!) from 5-7pm on Thursday nights and 4-7pm on all other weeknights.

Keep up to date with when it reaches completion atfacebook.com/ cityofecpr. Completion is dependent on the weather, so watch out for particularly chilly days, and hit the rink for some crokicurl fun!

WINTER AFTER HOURS

o what are you doing Thursday evenings in January and February? The correct answer is getting the gang bundled up for Winter After Hours at Pinehurst Park on Eau Claire’s north side. From 5 to 7pm each Thursday between Jan. 6 and Feb. 24, Chippewa Vallians are invited to Pinehurst Park, 3523 Delbert Road, for all manner of cool winter fun. Every night – weather permitting – the 60-acre park will offer a chance to sled, ice skate, play crokicurl play a pickup hockey game or to hike, fat-tire bike, or cross-country ski on the lighted trails. If you’re looking for a more laid-back experience, enjoy the warmth of the giant fire pit and make some memories with your family and friends. Winter After Hours is made possible by Prevea Health Care and other generous sponsors, as well as Eau Claire Parks & Rec and Volume One magazine. Check out more at VolumeOne.org/Events.

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

37

Winter THRIVE guide

ARE YOU THE NEXT CHAMP? Fat bike world championships roll into wisconsin this January W O R DS B Y V 1 S TA F F

T

his year, Wisconsin is host to the 2022 Borealis Fat Bike World Championships, hosted by the Big Ring Flyers – Apex Cycling Team. Founded in 2016 by the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association of Colorado, the Fat Bike Worlds is a “cycling race on groomed snow trails using a specially designed mountain bike fitted with ‘fat’tires up to five inches wide,” according to a media release. This year’s three-yday festivities – slated for Jan. 28-30 – take place in New Richmond (only about an hour away from Eau Claire), and will feature a 25-mile Championship race, half-distance fun race, and a timed bike obstacle race. Riders can accumulate points from all races to complete the weekend Omnium. There’s also a Kids race – only after a community pancake breakfast presented

by Anderson’s Maple Syrup. Registration is now open, and limited to 500 rides. If that’s not your thing, stop on by and check out the exhilirating races! Check out more info about this spectacular event rolling through Wisconsin at fat bikeworlds.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

38

www.VolumeOne.org

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

Winter THRIVE guide

EVERYBODY, GET ON BOARD! Former Pro Snowboarder paves way for new generation of athletes WORDS BY PARKER REED

F

or most, the mere thought of looking down the side of an 8,200-foot, snow-capped mountain and preparing to soar down the slopes with nothing but a snowboard and the belief that you will stick the landing, is enough to send shivers down your spine.

But for Skip Contardi, the thought is exhilarating.

Not many professional snowboarders come out of Pinehurst Park in Eau Claire, but Joel “Skip” Contardi did just that. Contardi spent 14 years as a professional snowboarder from 1995-2009, competing in over 100 competitions around the world. Over the course of his career, Contardi was sponsored by Burton Snowboards, Miller Brewing Co., Anon Goggle, Oakley, and Black Flys as he competed against Olympic-level athletes from around the globe.

“I’ve never considered snowboarding to be a sport,” Contardi said. “For me, it has always been an artistic expression of how I was feeling at any given time. I was never the most talented guy, I was just someone who was never willing to give up.”

Growing up in the Eau Claire area, Contardi began snowboarding in 1989. At the age of 12 years old, Contardi and his identical twin brother Teto – now an accomplished skateboarder – made a pact that they would never give up on their dream of making action sports their career. It was a promise that would yield tremendous results for the young snowboarder.

a traditional sport who have broken 17 bones? It takes a lot of courage to commit your life to it.”

After an early sponsorship with Eau Claire Bike and Sport on Water Street in the early ‘90s, Contardi moved near Lake Tahoe in California to continue making a career out of snowboarding. From there, Contardi would compete in monthly competitions, conduct photoshoots, and do whatever he had to do to keep the dream alive.

This included traveling back to the Chippewa Valley every summer to work construction to give himself work experience to fall back on when riding a snowboard professionally no longer was an option.

I WAS JUST SOMEONE WHO WAS NEVER WILLING TO GIVE UP.

“This sport takes more skill than a traditional sport,” Contardi said.

“You’re putting your life on the line when you strap on the board. How many people do you know who play

After four of his friends perished in action sports-related accidents – and his house burned to the

ground, along with all of his memorabilia, Contardi found a new passion: giving back to the next generation of snowboarders.

Contardi played an instrumental role in the development of Pinehurst Park and regularly volunteers, returning to his roots to teach kids how to snowboard. In addition to teaching, he has also been the driving force behind fundraising efforts to install a pump track and rope tow at the neighborhood park through OutdoorMore Inc. A scholarship in his name is also being set up to sponsor action sports athletes in the area so that they may continue their education.

“None of the accolades, or things I accomplished during my career, compare to how rewarding it is to

give back and work with kids,” Contardi said. “I try and teach kids that as long as you give something everything you’ve got, your dreams will come true.”

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

39

Winter THRIVE guide

BUILDING JOY, BUILDING SLEDS STEVE VOGELSANG CRAFTS HOMEMADE TOBOGGANS FROM EAU CLAIRE HOME WORDS BY PARKER REED • PHOTOS BY ANDREA PAULSETH

E

very winter, Steve Vogelsang hears the same story from dozens of different people.

The story begins with how much they loved sledding as a child, what hill they used to sled on, how many kids were there, and how they dripped melting snow all the way home at the end of a fun-filled day.

Seeing an opportunity to bring that same joy to the wintertime – and a chance to work with his hands again – after retiring in 2018, Vogelsang founded his woodworking business, BirdSong Boatworks, making custom boats and toboggans for families around the Chippewa Valley.

“No two toboggans are the same,” Vogelsang said. “No two pieces of wood are the same, so no two toboggans are the same. It keeps every piece challenging and fun.”

Vogelsang is one of extraordinarily few makers in the country still creating hand-crafted toboggans – an heirloom art that now finds itself antiquated in favor of plastic or foam sleds.

Vogelsang planned to enjoy a quiet retirement with his wife, Patricia.

But fate took a turn, as Patricia passed away two years ago from cancer, forcing the Eau Claire man to reevaluate what the rest of his life would look like.

“I had a grand vision for what my retirement would look like, and that totally changed just a few years into it,” Vogelsang said. “I lost my wife and that changed everything for me.”

Vogelsang has built things throughout his entire life, including his first toboggan 13 years ago as a way to take advantage of the beautiful wilderness surrounding his Eau Claire home (which he also built by hand) during the winter season.

“I’d rather build something than buy it,” Vogelsang said. “It’s easier to buy it, but I don’t think it’s as rewarding.”

Last summer, Vogelsang made a trip to Lowes Creek Tree Farm to buy his annual Christmas tree, where the toboggan in the back of his pickup truck became instant eye candy for a group of college students. Noticing the love people seemed to have for his toboggan – and in order to establish his first post-retirement business

40

www.VolumeOne.org

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

S TE VE VOGELS ANG OF BIRDSONG BOATWORKS Creates Custom Toboggan Sleds From His Eau Claire Home

venture – he gave the toboggan to the tree farm’s owner in exchange for a Christmas tree.

The price for each sled ranges from $400-$450, depending on the piece.

Relying purely on word of mouth, Vogelsang said building toboggans for people is purely for the simple joy of working with his hands in his home workshop space, as well as to see smiles form on customers’ faces as they recapture a piece of their childhood.

Living peacefully nestled within the woods surrounding the Eau Claire River, Vogelsang (the name means “bird song” in German) said crafting toboggans is also an avenue to give back to the community, as a portion of each sale goes toward Beaver Creek Reserve and their local conservation and environmental education efforts.

THIS IS PURELY FOR THE LOVE OF THE CRAFT AND MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY BY HELPING THEM ENJOY THE WINTER MONTHS.

Currently Vogelsang crafts 20 toboggans for market every year. Each toboggan is made of either oak or ash and clocks in at 80 inches in length (though a few shorter 65-inch toboggans come out of his shop from time to time). He creates each toboggan by hand and the process generally takes around a month from start to finish for his toboggans to reach a finished state and be ready for the customer.

Vogelsang also co-owns a piece of land in Eau Claire primed with beautiful potential toboggan materials, offering an exciting future for local heirloom-quality sleds on the horizon. His goal, unlike his beautiful sleds, are modest: to spread the joy of winter throughout the remainder of his retirement years, using his hands to make dreams come to life.

Winter THRIVE guide

WINTER FUN EVENTS LISTINGS BY JAMES JOHONNOT T

COME SLIDE WITH US Every Satur-

day, Sunday from Jan. 1 2022 to Feb. 27 2022, noon-4pm • Pinehurst Park, 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • FREE • eauclairewi.gov An afternoon of supervised sledding fun at Pinehurst Hill. We provide the hill, a roaring fire to warm up next to, music, and a cup of hot chocolate. All activities will be supervised by our dedicated skating rink supervisors.

NATURE TOTS: MAGIC IN THE SNOW Jan. 5, 10-11am • Beaver

Creek Reserve, S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • $6 per child (accompanying adults are free) • Ages 3-4 • beavercreekreserve.org Learn about the mysteries in the snow and the stories that come along with them. This class can include a short walk exploring the tracks in the snow, a book reading, and a craft. Please dress for the weather.

WINTER AFTER HOURS Every

Thursday from Jan. 6 2022 to Feb. 24 2022, 6-8pm • Pinehurst Park, 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • eauclairewi.gov/parks Eau Claire Parks and Recreation along with Volume One presents “Winter After Hours” at Pinehurst Park. There will be ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter kubb, firepit, music, and free hot chocolate. Snowshoes, sleds, and skate rentals available during this special event only. The park center will be open and supervised. Come out and enjoy this unique social gathering each Thursday night.

SILVER MINE INVITATIONAL Every

Day from Jan. 14 2022 to Jan. 15 2022 • Silver Mine Nordic Ski Complex, 2770 Silvermine Drive • Ticket price online • visiteauclaire.com Athletes from around the globe compete in ski jumping. Heated tents, bonfires, warm drinks, and food. An Eau Claire area winter tradition.

BRAXTON’S BOBBER BASH Jan. 15,

9am-3pm • Lake Menomin, Menomonie • $30-adults $20-kids 12 and under • All Ages • braxtonsbobberbash@gmail. com • braxtonsbobberbash.com Ice Fishing Tournament to benefit Star Legacy Foundation. Raising stillbirth awareness, supporting research, promoting education, and providing family support to the 26,000 families affected by stillbirth each year.

Registration includes one raffle ticket.

Preregister for event t-shirt. Cash prizes for fish, raffle prizes, 50/50, heated tent, concessions.

FREE FISHING EVENT HOSTED BY YMCA Jan. 15, 11am-2pm • Ojibwa

Golf & Bowl, 8140 136th Street, Eau Claire • FREE • All Ages • ymca-cv. org/freefishing Meet at Ojibwa Golf & Bowl for a day of fishing instruction and learn how to ice fish! Each child will receive free fishing poles and bait while supplies last. Chippewa Rod & Gun Club will be there to help you from casting to eating your fish!

EAU CLAIRE MARATHON BUILDUP Runs Every Saturday from Jan. 22

2022 to Apr. 30 2022, 8-10am • Centennial Hall, UWEC, 1698 Park Avenue, Eau Claire • FREE • All Ages • (715) 836-5519 • evansmm@uwec.edu • people.uwec.edu/evansmm/ECMB Free community runs, of increasing distance, to help runners prepare for the Eau Claire half or full marathon. Weekly routes are marked for each distance and longer runs are supported with with aid stations.

vancy Feb. 12, 1-3pm • Town of Union Conservancy, 1910 White Pine Drive • FREE, Registration required • landmarkwi.org A leisurely snowshoe hike in the peaceful winter woods on the trails at the Conservancy. Adult and children’s snowshoes available. Approximate distance, 1.5 miles. If there is insufficient snow, the event will be a winter hike. After the hike, return to warm up by a bonfire with hot cocoa and s’mores.

SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 5K RUN/ WALK Mar. 12, 9-11am • UWEC

McPhee Strength & Performance Center, 509 University Drive, Eau Claire • $20/person, $25/person on a team • All Ages • (715) 836-3377 This 5k Run/

Walk is hosted by the UWEC Recreation & Sports Operations. The route goes from UWEC upper campus, down the Garfield Avenue hill, over the footbridge, and back up the Chippewa Valley River trail. Strollers welcome.

Race clock at the start and end of the course. Shirts are first come first serve. Cash & check only.

BACKYARD BIRDING Every Wednes-

day from Mar. 23 2022 to Apr. 13 2022, 6-8pm • Online and In Person • $109 • (715) 836-3636 • ce@uwec.edu • ce.uwec.edu Learn to identify the birds in your backyard. Birds are some of the more fascinating creatures and taking time to enjoy them can be just what we need.

CANDLELIGHT SKI on the

Red Cedar Trail Jan. 28, 6-9pm • Red Cedar Trail Depot, Highway 29, Menomonie • FREE • All Ages • 232-1242 • redcedarhoffman.org Three candlelit trails to choose from; one for cross-country, snowshoe, and walking. Limited ski rentals available in advance from Stout Adventures. Snowshoes provided by Mayo Clinic. Hot chocolate and warm fire.

POWDER KEG SNOWSHOE & FAT TIRE BIKE RACE Jan.

29 • Lowes Creek County Park, S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau Claire • Registration TBA • Find it on Facebook Join CORBA for the 2022 Powder Keg Snowshoe, Fat Bike, and Ski event at Lowes Creek County Park.

A hybrid, virtual event. The virtual component will take place from Jan 22-28.

9TH ANNUAL JIG’S UP BLUGOLD ICE FISHING CONTEST Feb. 12, 7am-2pm •

Lake Wissota State Park, 18127 County Highway O , Chippewa Falls • $25 per fish ticket, $40 day of • jigsup.org Annual ice fishing contest on Lake Wissota. Prizes will be distributed at The View on Lake Wissota at 3pm.

WINTER SNOWSHOE HIKE at the Town of Union Conser-

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

41

Winter THRIVE guide

GET OUTDOORS! LISTINGS BY JAMES JOHONNOT T PHOTO BY ANDREA PAULSETH

CROSS-COUNTRY + SNOWSHOING + FAT-TIRE BIKING + SKIING AREAS AREA 178 • Fat-Tire Biking • Chippewa

Falls • corba.org Diverse waterfront scenery with old oaks and exposed bedrock along the trails. The trails are multi-use so all are asked to be curteous to other types of travelers.

BEAVER CREEK RESERVE • Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing • S1 Cty

Hwy K, Fall Creek • beavercreekreserve. org A few minutes in your car and you can spend an entire afternoon in the quiet beauty of the woods. Beaver Creek Reserve has a number of wooded, groomed trails. Rental equipment is available.

BLUE HILLS • Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing • Between Rusk

County and Rice Lake • facebook.com/BlueHillsTrail If you don’t mind a short drive (about an hour and a half from Eau Claire), check out the Blue Hills winter sports area, named for the blue-tinted forested hillsides when seen through the mist. There are tons of super sweet trails to choose from, for either ski skating or traditional cross-country skiing. Make it into a day trip or spend an entire weekend there.

BRUNET ISLAND STATE PARK • Cross-Country Skiing • 23125 255th St.,

Cornell • dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/brunetisland There are more than eight miles of hiking trail in this state park, and they are perfect for showshoers in the winter. In addition, there are 4.3 miles of trail groom for classic-style cross-country skiing only.

Park admission sticker required.

CARSON PARK • Cross-Country Skiing • 101 Carson Park Dr, Eau Claire • eauclairewi.gov/recreation/trails/ski-trails During the winter season Carson Park offers cross-country skiing with several shorter, groomed trails perfect for beginners looking to stay away from steep grades.

CENTENNIAL PARK (FORMERLY OTTER CREEK • Fat Tire Biking • 3125

Spooner Ave, Altoona For bikers, stay off the

groomed trails and on single track trails.

CHIPPEWA MORAINE STATE RECREATION AREA • Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing • 13394 County Highway M, New Auburn • dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/ parks/chipmoraine While not groomed, they are open to snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Three self-guided trails beginning at the interpretive center will give you a look at kettle lakes, hummocks, and other glacial features. Vehicle admission stickers are required.

www.VolumeOne.org

wi.gov/topic/parks/name/hoffmanhills Don’t overlook the 707 acres of preserved and restored wooded hills, wetlands, and prairie, scribbled with cross-country ski trails for all levels. Glide through the snow while feasting your eyes on spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

IRVINE PARK TRAIL • Cross-Country Skiing • Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls

Located on the east side of Riverview Dr..

About 3 miles of flat trails across from Riverview Park. A good course for beginners.

• chippewafalls-wi.gov Woods trails above the zoo area double as ski trails. Loop back down and visit the zoo afterwards.

Trails also go past Glen Loch Lake. Trails can also be accessed from small parking lot on Cty Rd S or on the parking lot above the zoo off Erma-Tinger Drive.

COON FORK SKI TRAIL • Cross-Country Skiing • County Highway CF, Augusta

LAKE WISSOTA STATE PARK • Snowshoing, Cross-Country Skiing • 18127 Coun-

CITY WELLS AREA • Cross-Country Skiing • Riverview Dr. , Eau Claire •

• eauclaire-info.com Located on Coon Fork Lake County Park, this trail is most suitable for beginner to imtermediate skiers, and offers level areas and rolling hills. It has a total length of 3.2 miles.

Only diagonal striding is available as the trails are not wide enough to groom for skate skiing.

ty Highway O, Chippewa Falls • dnr.wi.gov/ topic/parks/name/lakewissota The 1,000-acre state park on the shore of Lake Wissota includes 10 miles of snowshoeing trails, 8 miles of cross-country skiing, and more.

FAIRFAX PARK • Cross-Country Skiing • 4200 Fairfax St., Eau Claire • Fairfax

Claire • co.eau-claire.wi.us • Just minutes south of Eau Claire, experience 250 acres of cross-country ski, snowshoe, and pet walking bliss. The two-way trail system separates skiers from snowshoers, and has many loops and shortcuts giving you a wide selection of route variety. Trails twist up and down hills, through creek bottoms and white pine forests, and range from easy to difficult, so a trail map is a good idea for those new to the park.

Park is a 75-acre park located on the south side of Eau Claire, with accommodations including a baseball field, two Little League fields and walking trails. It can be accessed from either Golf Road or Fairfax Street.

GUETTINGER WOODS & WILDLIFE AREA • Snowshoeing • Sandberg Road off Highway 37, Brunswick This little-known Eau Claire County Park has been called a “hidden gem.” You’ll find it about seven miles southwest of Eau Claire in the town of Brunswick. The 123 acres are open for snowshoeing, hiking, and wildlife watching, although there are no groomed trails.

HICKORY RIDGE TRAIL • Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing • Fat-Tire biking • 225th Ave,. New Auburn A 5K multiuse

snowshoe and mountain-bike trail circles what is dubbed the “Great Swamp,” offering great views of scenery and wildlife. The Friends of Hickory Ridge also groom 27 kilometers (about 17 miles) of cross-country ski trails for both traditional and skating-style skiers. No dogs allowed.

HOFFMAN HILLS STATE RECREATION

42

AREA • Cross-Country Skiing • Off-Trail Snowshoeing • 730th Ave., Colfax • dnr.

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

LOWES CREEK COUNTY PARK • Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing • Fat Tire Biking • S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY PARK TRAIL • Cross-Country Skiing • Fat Tire Biking • 650 Van Es Parkway, Eau Claire

Several loop trail options double as mountain bike and ski trails. Some are narrow and steep. From the North Crossing (Hwy 312) head north on Jeffers and turn right away on E. Prairie Lane to Arrowhead Drive to Van Es Parkway. Drive to the end of the street to the small parking lot.

PINEHURST PARK WINTER RECREATION AREA • Snowshoeing • Cross-Country Skiing • 3523 Delbert Road,

Eau Claire • eauclairewi.gov 5.5 Acres.

Hockey rink (boarded), ice skating, nature trails, parking lot, recreational field, scenic views, shelter, BMX bike park/pump track, downhill skiing, cross country skiing,

sledding/tubing hill, and toilet facilities.

RED CEDAR STATE TRAIL • Cross-Country Skiing • 921 Brickyard

Road, Menomonie • dnr.wi.gov Small bluffs with a waterfall will be on one side and the Red Cedar River on the other side.

Bald eagles frequently sighted. Going other direction from Dunnville takes you through the Dunnville State Wildlife Area across a trestle near the confluence of the Chippewa River and the Red Cedar River.

RIVER ROAD CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAIL • Cross Country Skiing • about

2.5 miles north of Cornell • co.chippewa. wi.us Enjoy two separate trails for intermediate and advanced skiers through rolling terrain and along the more-gentle grade of the River Road to the parking area.

TOWER RIDGE • Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing • 955 S82 Ave., Eau

Claire • co.eau-claire.wi.us Tower Ridge is a great place to enjoy the snow and workout. There are hilly and flat groomed trails for all levels. There are about 3 kilometers of lighted trails and a warming shelter that allows for night outings, a nice precursor to a warm fire.

SLEDDING HILLS DRAINAGE DITCH RUN Menomonie It’s a crazy drainage ditch on the southeastern side of Lake Menomonie that leads out onto the lake. It might be a lot of fun, but definitely watch out for the black ice.

DUNN COUNTY SNOW PARK 620 17th

St. SE, Menomonie On the east side of the fairgrounds, there’s a hill that the water tower sits on, ominously looming over the site. Volunteers have recently spend a lot of time clearing brush, stumps, and debris from the hill, then setting up erosion precautions to create a low maintenance yet fun place for local snow goers.

THE FLATS HILL Chippewa Falls Look to the left going down Pumphouse Road hill, descending from the East Hill of Chippewa Falls, and you’ll find winter bliss just waiting. A sledding hill for all ages and skill levels, this place is wide open, with little to no risk of hitting any trees.

FOREST HILL AKA “SEVEN BUMPS” AKA “DEAD MAN’S HILL” Eau Claire Right next to the Forrest Hill

!

Winter THRIVE guide

Cemetery (on Huebsch Boulevard) on the Eastside Hill, the slope is small and gentle with no major obstacles. (Just the thing for weak-hearted novices.) In recent years, its easy accessibility has made it a favorite among area snowboarders, but don’t be intimidated by them.

MOUNT SIMON 100 Addison Ave., Eau

Claire 49-acre park located on Dell’s Pond with access off either Madison Street or Birch Street. This park offers a boat landing

and dock, 2 picnic pavilions, 2 lighted sand volleyball courts, and an 9-hole disc golf course.

Mt. Simon Park is also home to Eau Claire’s Babe Ruth Baseball program.

OAKWOOD HILLS Eau Claire There’s a

great little (unsupervised) hill near the Oakwood Hills Warming House on Golf Road. The hill is open Sat. and Sun. 1-6pm, and could be a pleasant alternative to some of the aforementioned

and slightly more treacherous places.

PINEHURST HILL 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire On Eau Claire’s north side, the

behemoth Pinehurst Hill stands as the mother of all sledding hills. This formidable giant was a downhill ski run with a towrope throughout the early 70s. Be careful: if you don’t brake or turn, you’ll end up in a parking lot.

X-HILL Eau Claire Just across the road from

Chippewa Valley Airport’s runways, it’s a real treat when jets fly overhead. A crisscross hill unofficially called the “X-Hill,” you can start at one of two steep, twin trajectories that cross each other at a wicked intersection before going off in any number of directions. This is never the same ride twice and the risk for some intense crashes is high. So if you are on the hill, consider yourself forewarned and, therefore, fair game.

SKATING RINKS ALTOONA HOBBS SPORT CENTER 2300 Spooner Ave., Altoona • altoonahockey.com

BLOOMER SKATING RINK 1304 Grove St., Bloomer • www.ci.bloomer.wi.us/ parks-and-recreation/pages/winter

HOBBS ICE ARENA 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-5040

MITSCHER PARK 3507 Sharon Drive, Eau Claire

NEWELL PARK (SHAWTOWN PARK) s122 S. Michigan St., Eau Claire

BOYD PARK 1202 Fairway St., Eau Claire

OAKWOOD HILLS 4433 Oakwood Hills

CHIPPEWA AREA ICE ARENA 839 1st

PINEHURST PARK 3523 Delbert Road,

DEMMLER PARK 524 Putman Dr., Eau

PUTNAM HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY 633

DUNN COUNTY RECREATION PARK 620

RIVER HEIGHTS PARK 615 24th Ave.,

• eauclairewi.gov

Ave., Chippewa Falls • chippewahockey.org Claire • ci.eau-claire.wi.us

17th St., Menomonie • menomonie-wi.gov

Parkway, Eau Claire • ci.eau-claire.wi.us Eau Claire • eauclairewi.gov

W. MacArthur Ave., Eau Claire

Menomonie • menomonie-wi.gov

| DECEMBER 30, 2021

43