Enjoy some winter magic.
Cross-country ski trails in Milwaukee and beyond
February 2021
Cross-country skiing is a great winter activity that the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy a leisurely ski on groomed trails, take part in a race or blaze trails in the backcountry. Here are a few suggestions of where you can explore some of these trails in and around Milwaukee.
MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Brown Deer Park
7835 N. Green Bay Rd., North side of Milwaukee
4.5 miles of trails.
Groomed for skate/freestyle and classical/diagonal for the beginner and intermediate skier. Find flat, gentle terrain; wooded and open.
Whitnall Park
6751 S. 92nd St., Franklin, Southwest side of Milwaukee. 5 miles (4 loops) of trails.
Lightly groomed for striding; beginner and intermediate skiing. Gentle, rolling terrain; wooded and open with a shelter; snowshoe rentals; concessions and toilets. Snowshoe trails are across 92nd Street near Ross Lodge.
waukesha COUNTY
Retzer Nature Center
S14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha. (22 miles southwest of Milwaukee). 4 miles (7 loops) of trails. Ungroomed for snow shoeing.
Rolling terrain, wooded and open. The center offers snowshoe rentals, toilets and drinking water. Trails are open sunrise to 10pm.
KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST
Southern Unit:
Lapham Peak Unit
W329 N846 County Road C, Delafield. 25 miles west of Milwaukee. 17.5 miles including 2.5 miles of lighted trail.
The only state unit to offer man-made snow on part of its trail system. Groomed for skating and striding; for the beginner, intermediate, and expert skier. The rolling but mostly hilly terrain with steep climbs and descents is wooded and open. They offer man-made snow on 2.4 km of trail. The Evergreen shelter provides toilets and drinking water. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the white building on the road to the Evergreen shelter on weekends. Snowshoe on the Ice Age Trail or Prairie Path. Hours: 7am-9pm; closes 5pm Sundays. Lights on Mon.-Sat. until 9 pm. Wisconsin vehicle pass and skier trail pass required.
Nordic Trails
N9084 County Road H, Whitewater. 50 miles southwest of Milwaukee
23 miles (7 loops) of trails.
Groomed for skating and striding for the beginner, intermediate, and expert skier. The gentle, rolling, and steep terrain is mostly wooded. Their shelter has drinking water and vault toilets. Named for the Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee and designed by one of the members. Wisconsin vehicle pass and skier trail pass required.
Northern Unit:
Zillmer Trails
W833 County Road SS, Campbellsport. 55 miles north of Milwaukee.
11 miles (4 loops) of trails.
Groomed for skating and striding; the beginner, intermediate, and expert skier. Enjoy gentle wooded, rolling, and hilly terrain. Wisconsin vehicle pass and skier trail pass required.
Greenbush Recreation Area Trails
N5854 Kettle Moraine Dr, Glenbeulah.
70 miles north of Milwaukee
13.5 miles (6 loops) of trails, including 1.2-mile lighted trail
Groomed for skating and striding; for the intermediate and expert skier. Well-groomed, hilly wooded trails. Find a shelter; grills; drinking water; vault toilets. Known for its micro-climate that retains snow throughout the season. Wisconsin vehicle pass and skier trail pass required.
Resources
Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee
Founded in 1971, and created many of the cross counrty (XC) trails in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. This year-round recreation and social club arranges XC ski and snowshoe trips with XC ski lessons - both classic and skate.
Skinny Ski trail reports
Provides real time Wisconsin
(and beyond) ski trail conditions.
Wisconsin State Park System dnr.wi.gov
Information on many additional ski trails in Wisconsin
Peak Nordic Ski Club
A competitive XC ski program for high school athletes.
Friends of Lapham Peak
Host Wed. night ski races and Tues. night chip timing races.
