With the holidays and New Year behind us, Saturday and Sunday afternoons have opened up to get out and take advantage of Wisconsin winter sports. Yes, it’s cold and yes, you need strong motivation but once you’re out there, you’ll be happy you went. I was yesterday, after a snowshoeing jaunt at Nashotah Park.
So, here’s a look at a few options for winter snow shoeing and cross country skiing in the area.
Brown Deer Park
7835 N. Green Bay Rd.
http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/CrosscountrySkiing12361.htm
These trails are fully groomed for cross-country skiing and open from dawn to 10 p.m. daily.
Kettle Moraine South
A variety of entry points from Dousman to Whitewater
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/kms/
Like most parks in the area, snowshoeing is not permitted on groomed trails. In the southern part of the Kettle Moraine State forest, the John Muir trail is your best bet for snow shoeing or winter hiking with five loops that range from .4 to 10 miles. If you’re looking to ski, hit the Nordic, McMiller or Scuppernong trails.
Lapham Peak
w329N846 Hwy. C, Delafield
www.laphampeakfriends.org
Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Lapham Peak has 17 miles of best cross-country ski trails that vary in difficulty from easy to advance. The park’s hilly topography is full of groomed and lit trails available throughout the peak ski-season.
Nashotah Park
Hwy. 16 and Lakeland Drive
Just 30 or 40 minutes west of Milwaukee, this park has something for everyone. There are two large dog parks, a sledding hill, groomed cross-country ski trails and a trail specifically designated for snowshoeing and hiking. Admission to the park is $5 per car.
Whitnall Park
6751 S. 92nd St., (414) 425-1810
http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/CrosscountrySkiing12361.htm
Whitnall has slightly groomed trails open from dawn to 10 p.m. daily.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
