Outside the petite town of Greenbush, Sheboygan County is still feeling and looking like winter. “It’s beautiful topography. There are eskers here, you can ski and walk around the excursion pools, it is very picturesque. Lots of descents. So it’s a very nice place for rest and recreation,” said Michael McFadzen, board member of the Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club. It is the home of the Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club. Most of them volunteer to keep the trails open in the National Forest with the little snow and cold we have had. The ski club has partnered with the Wisconsin DNR to prepare over 15 and a half miles of cross-country ski trails. the ski runs are three hundred feet above sea level – 500 feet above the lake shore. The location and tree canopy actually create its own microclimate, keeping the snow in place longer compared to the surrounding areas. And when you prepare routes, it presses it against the base, which resembles the effect of a refrigerator. So between that and the covered trails, we’re able to keep it going even when the sun is bright,” Michael McFadzen said. After 40 years on the trails, skier Mark Sharon tells us he’s still in a hurry. “Flying uphill is just that feeling of freedom to climb those hills and just get out into the fresh air and meet other skiers,” Mark Sharon said. He’s ecstatic that younger generations are continuing to cross-country ski, get outside and enjoy what winter has to offer. “I see our young people here smiling when temperatures are close to freezing, playing in the snow and having fun. I think it just changes perspectives,” Mark Sharon said. Keeping these trails open and well cared for, taking advantage of the little snow this winter has brought, is beneficial. in many aspects. “You know, winter recreation is just so healthy. It is good for our economy. You know people come here,” Michael McFadzen said. Ski trails are free to anyone with a state park stick. For more information about the ski club and how to donate, click here.
It’s still winter outside the petite town of Greenbush in Sheboygan County.
“It’s beautiful topography. There are eskers there, you can ski and hike along the excursion pots, it is very picturesque. Lots of descents. So it’s a very nice place to come and relax,” said Michael McFadzen, board member of the Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club.
It is the home of the Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club. Most of them volunteer to keep the trails open in the National Forest despite the little snow and chilly we have.
The ski club has partnered with the Wisconsin DNR to prepare over 15 and a half miles of cross-country trails.
The cross-country ski trails are three hundred feet above sea level – 500 feet above the lake shore.
The location and tree canopy actually create its own microclimate, keeping the snow in place longer compared to surrounding areas.
“And when you prepare the routes, it presses them against the base, which is like a refrigerator effect. Thanks to this, and the routes are covered, we are able to keep them covered even in glowing sunlight,” said Michael McFadzen.
Skier Mark Sharon tells us that after 40 years on the trails, he still feels good.
“It’s just a sense of freedom to be able to fly up hills over hills and just get out into the fresh air and see other skiers,” Mark Sharon said
He is ecstatic that younger generations continue cross-country skiing and enjoy the charms of winter.
“I see our young kids smiling when the temperature is near freezing, playing in the snow and having fun. I think it just changes your perspective,” Mark Sharon said.
Keeping these trails open and well cared for, given the little snow this winter has brought, is beneficial in many ways.
“You know, winter recreation is just so healthy. It is good for our economy. You know people travel here,” Michael McFadzen said.
Ski trails are free to anyone with a state park stick. For more information about the ski club and how to donate, click Here.
