Wisconsin Skis Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Wisconsin Verbs

Wisconsin Skis: Iola Winter Sports Club

Round 1: January 10, 2015

Distance: 5-6 Miles

Not enough snow to ski on in Madison, so we headed up north to enjoy the trails at Iola Winter Sports Club. It’s only a two-hour drive from Madison, and it is a wonderful trail. 

Wisconsin Skis: Moccasin Lake Ski Trail & Minocqua Winter Park

During the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Northern Wisconsin was blanketed with snow, but southern Wisconsin received only rain. To get some training in, I decided that I would have to head north.

My travels took me to two fantastic ski trails: The Moccasin Lake Ski Trail and Minocqua Winter park.

Wisconsin Skis: Adventure Classic Skiing Before the Holiday

I was itching to get some skate skiing in, but the trail was not yet suitable for quality skating. I practiced on a little stretch, just to make sure my legs still worked. There were some bare spots on the trail, including some prominent rocks, so I was careful with my good skis.

This is why most serious skiers have a back up pair of skis, otherwise known as “Rock Skis” or “B Skis”. If you ski over a rock, it can really damage the surface of your ski, no matter how well you’ve waxed it.

Wisconsin Skis: Early Season at Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC)

I was up north in late November and the area was blanketed with some early season snow. Perfect time to get some early season practice in — except for the fact that it was opening weekend for gun-deer season.

 After searching online, I learned that many trails don’t open until after the gun-deer season as some of them or either on or abut public or private hunting land. Luckily, I found the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC) in Rhinelander. 

Wisconsin Skis: So, I signed up for the American Birkebeiner

The American Birkebeiner, or Birkie, is a 51K skate or 55K classic cross country ski race. It begins in Cable, Wis. and ends in Hayward.

Yea, I’m signed up to ski about 32 miles about three months from now. I simply hope I can finish it. As a secondary goal, I’d love to finish it in a respectable time — though conditions can vary and I have no idea what my goal respectable time is yet.