Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe

WiNTERbook

CROSS COUNTRY SKi AND SNOWSHOE

Nine Mile Recreation Area

South of CTH N on Red Bud Road, Rib Mountain

Operated by the Marathon Co. Parks Dept. The most popular and one of the top ranked cross-country skiing faciliti es in Wisconsin has a chalet with restrooms and warming area, 18.3 miles of trails, including about 3.9 miles lighted unti l 9 pm, and 6.7 miles of trails dedicated to snowshoeing. Trails range from beginner to diffi cult, double-tracked with a 8’ wide skati ng lane. The 2-mile Cookie Trail Loop is for youth skiers. Trail maps available online at co.marathon.wi.us under Parks Department. No dogs allowed on groomed trails • Trails open daily, even if chalet is closed, outdoor vault restroom available. Ski and snowshoe rentals available. For updates and trail conditi ons call 715-3558788. Open mid-Dec. thru mid-March, snow conditi ons permitti ng. Daily, annual pass, and aft er hours permit required. Permits can be purchased at the chalet by self-registrati on. Other info at 715261-1550, co.marathon.wi.us under Parks Department. Ski trail fees Weekdays $12 adult, $8 youth/student, $10 seniors. Aft er 5 pm

$7 adults, $5 youth, $6 seniors. Twoday and season passes and group rates available. Under 12 free. 715-261-1550 Snowshoe fees Daily $6 adults $4 youth/ student, $5 seniors. Two-day and season passes and group rates available. Under 12 free. Chalet open Mon.-Fri. 9 am-9 pm (closes 6 pm Sundays aft er fi rst weekend in

February), Sat. 8 am–9 pm, Sun. 8 am–5 pm • Ameniti es include changing area, ski & snowshoe equipment rentals, trail pass sales, restrooms, spacious warming area with wood stove & fi replace. Check online for updates as hours may change during holiday weeks. Ski trails closed to the public during the

Snekkevik Classic Ski Race Saturday, Jan. 9, 2022 and for Badger State Games

Saturday, Jan. 29

Free adult cross-country ski lessons

Tuesdays, Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25. (Feb. 1 is one of them is canceled.) by

Wausau Nordic Ski Club. Includes free trail pass and free equipment rental (fi rst come, fi rst served). No children.

Pre-registrati on not needed but arrive early to be fi tt ed for equipment, and check for alternate dates in case of bad

weather conditi ons. For questi ons email adultlessons@wausaunordic.org. Other details at wausaunordic.org.

Snow Striders ski lessons for children

ages 4–9: Sundays 2–3 pm Sundays starti ng in January (snow permitti ng).

Free for Nordic Ski Club members. No general rate for non-members, so they ask you to join the club ($30 family, $20 individual). Lessons include equipment rental, fi rst come, fi rst served. Night

Gliders program for middle and high school ages also available, see website for details. Registrati on and membership at WausauNordic.org. Winter Trail Tails story kiosks Pages of books to read on the trail, in partnership with the Marathon County Public Library and the Wausau Nordic Ski Club. Learn what snowmen do at night and who stops into a cave of a snoring bear. Trail passes and or current season passes required. Trail includes kids’ loop, down

‘Main Street’ left , and looping back to the chalet during dayti me hours.

Sylvan Hill Park

Wausau, off N. Sixth Street to Horseshoe Spring Road, right to Sylvan Street

This in-city system has 3.7K of crosscountry trails through the park and around the nearby Tribute Golf Course. Periodically groomed throughout the season. For beginner to intermediate skiers. Also 1-mile snowshoe trail. Chalet shared with the tubing hill. Map and details at co.marathon.wi.us under Parks Department.

Rib Mountain State Park

Off of Hwy. 51, 4200 Park Rd, Rib Mountain

13 kilometers of snowshoe trails, from easy to diffi cult. Vehicle park sti cker required. Ribmountain.org, 715-842-2522. Candlelight snowshoe hikes on Sat.,

Jan. 18 and Sat., Feb. 15, 6-8 pm.

Flashlights and headlamps suggested.

Hot chocolate, hot cider, and special goodies, as well as marshmallows to roast around the campfi re are available.

Start your hike at the Friends Gathering

Space. Donati ons welcome. Limited parking.

Monk Gardens

North end of First Avenue on Wausau’s west side, 1800 N. First Ave

Snowshoe and cross-country skiing allowed among the woods and fi elds. Gate is latched but always unlocked. MonkGardens.org Luminary walks set for Dec. 3, Jan. 8, March 5 and 19: Free for garden members, $5 general. Times vary, see

Facebook page or website for more informati on. Limited snowshoes to rent ($2 cash only).

Dells of the Eau Claire Park

Hwy. Y east of Wausau near Aniwa

Snowshoe along the river’s edge, with scenic views of rock formati ons and the frozen rapids. Challenging terrain, ungroomed. No pass required. Connects to the Ice Age Trail. Call Marathon Co. Parks Dept. at 715-261-1550 for more informati on, or see co.marathon.wi.us.

Council Grounds State Park

Northwest of Merrill, off Hwy. 107

About 3 miles of classic groomed trails for cross-country skiers. Ground is tracked, fl at, and wooded. Snowshoeing also allowed. Candlelight skiing/walks scheduled periodically. Leashed pets welcome. No fee for the acti vity but vehicle admission sti cker or state park sti cker required to enter. Log shelter available to rent. 715-536-8773. Park open year-round from 6 am to 11 pm.

Underdown Recreation Area

North of Merrill, Hwy. 51 north to Hwy. K, right on H, right on Copper Lake Road

Over 20 miles of ski trails consisti ng of several loops for all skill levels, groomed weekly. Snowshoe trails also available. No warming house or equipment rental, pit toilets available • Winter fees: $8 daily cross country ski, $5 daily snowshoe/fat bike, or $25 season pass. Purchase through Lincoln Co. Forestry offi ce, 715-539-1034. Children under 16 free. Maps available online at co.lincoln.wi.us

Treehaven

W2540 Pickerel Creek Road, Tomahawk

Over 5 miles of groomed trails dedicated for cross country skiing, plus many more miles of snowshoe and hiking trails cover the 1,400 acres of forest at this retreat center operated by UW-Stevens Point. Because of the area’s size and remote locati on, check in at offi ce fi rst to noti fy Treehaven staff of travels. Pass required for all acti viti es on the trails: $5 daily, $25 annual, available in the parking lot near the trailhead signs. No pets, bicycles or motorized vehicles. Trails open during daylight hours only. Maps and details at htt ps://www.uwsp.edu (search for Treehaven), 715-453-4106

Green Circle Trail

Find fi ve loops of groomed, designated cross country ski trails (classic style) at the Plover River segment (6.2 miles) and Iverson Park (2.4 miles). Snowshoeing, snow biking and winter hiking not allowed on those groomed trails, but allowed on the remaining paths of this Stevens Point area system. Open daily 6 am–11 pm