Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing in Northwest Wisconsin
After the snow has fallen, take advantage of our winter pastimes, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
The only sound you’ll hear is the swish of your skis or the crunch of the snow as you traverse the quiet forest and trails. Whatever your skill level, you will have incredible experiences on any of these trails.
Locator Map
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American Birkebeiner Ski Trail
Sawyer County
Fee/Pass Required: Yes.
Length: 51 km or 26.1 miles. Parking, pit toilet, warming building, picnic area, food/lodging and ski shop nearby; lighted sections for night-time skiing are from dusk to 10 p.m.
The trails are groomed for both skating and classic skiing. Moderate to difficult skill level.
Marker 2Balsam Branch Ski Trails
Polk County
At D.D. Kennedy Park. 11 km of trails, 4 km lighted. Groomed for classical, skate skiing and snowshoe. Open December 1st with adequate snow.
Marker 3Barron Area Nordic Trail Association
Barron County
Fee/Pass Required: No. Donations welcome.
Length: 3.4 km/1.9 km/1.2 km. The trail system consists of 3.4 km of trails through a mature oak-maple forest, 1.9 km of open field skiing, and 1.2 km of snowshoe/winter hiking trails.
After the snow has fallen, take advantage of our winter pastimes, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The only sound you’ll hear is the swish of your skis or the crunch of the snow as you traverse the quiet forest and trails. Whatever your skill level, you will have incredible experiences on any of these trails.
Marker 4Blue Hills Trails
Rusk County
Fee/Pass Required: No. Donation appreciated.
Length: 20 miles. An extensive 20-mile trail system located in the Blue Hills in Northwestern Rusk County. Groomed for classic and freestyle skiing. Variety of loops and terrains for different skill levels.
Marker 5Brule River State Forest Afterhours Trail
Douglas County
Fee/Pass Required: Yes
Length: 25 km. Afterhours Ski Trail includes an extensive network of some of the region’s finest and best maintained cross-country ski trails for both classical and skate skiing. Various loops provide a variety of terrain suitable for both beginning skiers and those with advanced skills.
Marker 6Brunet Island State Park
Chippewa County
Fee/Pass Required: Yes.
Length: 4.3 miles. This state park located in Cornell offers 4.3 miles of groomed trail for classic style skiing.
Marker 7Copper Falls State Park
Ashland County
Fee/Pass Required: Yes.
Length: 13.7 miles/22 km-Classic; 6.5 miles/10.5 km-Skate. The park has trails to suite all skill levels from beginner to experienced skiers. Trails are groomed on a regular basis as the Lake Superior snow belt is known for constant snowfall.
Marker 8City of Ashland Ski Trail
Ashland County
Fee/Pass Required: No.
Length: 5 km
Most trails provide a combination of skating and classical skiing, with two trails for classic only. The trails are gently rolling to flat terrain meandering through pine forest comprising several loops totaling 5 kilometers.
Marker 9Cumberland Area Ski Trail Association
Barron County
Timberland Hills is a 24 Km trail system with gentle rolling terrain to the screaming hills of "The Ridge Run" and the "Outer Loop". Timberland West is a 2.5 Km lighted beginner-type ski trail with gently rolling terrain and no large hills. It is open daylight hours and during the ski season the lights come on at dusk and stay on until 11:00 PM.
Marker 10Douglas County Trails
Douglas County
Fee/Pass Required: Yes
Length: 10+ Miles; 4 Loops.
Trail Difficulty: Easy.
Douglas County grooms and maintains over 10 miles (17 km) of cross-country ski trails between the Towns of Solon Springs and Gordon just off Hwy 53. Trails are groomed during the winter season for classic & skate skiing.
Marker 11HASTA Hospital Ski Trail
Sawyer County
Fee/Pass Required: No.
Length: 7 miles.
Loops: 9.
Parking, groomed for classic skiing. Easier ski trails: Buckthorn, Lakeview, Pine & Clear-cut loops. More difficult ski trails: Beaver Pond, Ox and Hilly loops. Darrell Trail for snowshoeing.
Marker 12Hatchery Creek County Park Trail
Sawyer County
Fee/Pass required: No.
Length: 3
Loops - .4 km 1.15 km and 1.9 km, with access to the Birkie Trail.
Parking, pit toilet, warming building, picnic area, food/lodging and ski shop nearby; Lighted sections for night-time skiing are from dusk to 10 p.m. The trails are groomed for both skating and classic skiing. Moderate to difficult skill levels.
Marker 13Heartwood Ski Trails
Washburn County
Length: 20 km.
Heartwood offers multiple loops and a wide range of trails. Groomed regularly, the trails wind through the 700-acre property. Ski rentals are available. Day use pass required.
Marker 14Hickory Ridge Ski Trail
Chippewa County
Fee/Pass Required: No
Length: 16 miles
16 miles of ski trails groomed for traditional or skate skiing winding through the quiet and scenic oak and aspen forest and consists of 3 challenging loops. Intermediate to expert.
Marker 15Holy Cross Trail
Price County
Fee/Pass Required: No.
Length: 6 miles/9.6 km
A good trail for families. Features multiple loop sections of varying lengths. Groomed for classic skiing only. Excellent for viewing wildlife. Moderately hilly through a variety of timber types. Easy/Moderate.
Marker 16Hurley Eagle Bluff
Iron County
Fee: No
Length: 2.5 miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Marker 17Ladysmith Lighted Loop
Rusk County
Fee/Pass Required: No. Donation appreciated.
Length: 1.5 miles.
Relatively flat, groomed for classic and freestyle skiing.
Marker 18Lake Wissota State Park
Chippewa County
Fee/Pass Required: Yes
Length: 8 miles
This state park located on the north shore of Lake Wissota offers over 8 miles of groomed trails for both traditional stride and skate skiing.
Marker 19MECCA Trails
Iron County
Fee/Pass Required: Donation box is available.
Length: 18 km
Several trail loops total 18 km in rolling wooded terrain. Some loops are classic and skating and some are classic only.
Marker 20Montreal Trail
Iron County
Fee/Pass Required: Donation box is available.
Length: 10 km
This is a 10 km classic trail that passes the remnants of the Montreal Mine with interpretive signage on mining. The terrain is wooded and intermediate.
Marker 21Mt. Ashwabay Recreation Area
Bayfield County
Difficulty: Beginner to Expert.
40 km of classic and skate skiing in a beautiful setting through woods on and near Mt. Ashwabay.
Marker 22Nordic Woods Trail
Washburn County
Fee: No, membership encouraged.
Length: 15 km
Located on county forest land, this trail is a favorite with the locals and is groomed for classic. Two parking areas are available.
Marker 23North End Ski Trail
Bayfield County
Difficulty: Intermediate to Expert.
13 km, skate/classic through the Bayfield County Forest and connecting to the American Birkebeiner Trail & Birkie Classic Trail. Parking, toilet, and warming cabin. Food & lodging nearby.
Marker 24Penokee Mountain Ski Trail
Ashland County
Fee/Pass Required: No
Length: 7.6 miles
Two loops, connecting with the North Country National Scenic Trail. Trail Type: Classical and skate.
Marker 25Phillips School Forest Trail
Price County
Fee/Pass Required: No
Length: 3.5 miles/5.6 km
A scenic trail, groomed for classic and skate skiing, winding through a diverse forest and open meadow consisting of 5 loops ranging from gently rolling to steep climbs and winds. Easy/Difficult.
Marker 26Sisters Farm Trails
Rusk County
Fee/Pass Required: No
Length: 3 miles
About 3 miles of cross country trails, groomed for classic and freestyle skiing.
Marker 27Solberg Lake/Squaw Creek Trail
Price County
Fee/Pass Required: No
Length: 3.4 miles/5.4 km
A very good scenic trail for beginners or older skiers seeking a relatively flat trail for a daily exercise routine. Groomed for classic skiing. Easy/Moderate.
Marker 28Spooner City Park
Washburn County
Fee/Pass Required: No.
Length: 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Located within Spooner City limits, the well-maintained trails offer classic and skate skiing. A warming house, plentiful parking and even a lit ski trail are available.