Mother Nature can be a fickle creature. For example, on February 22, 2017, the temperature at Dane County Regional Airport reached 68 degrees. This was bad news for Madison cross-country skiers.
But there’s good news for those who like to hit the trails on tight skis as Mother Nature gives southern Wisconsin reliable snow. University RidgeThe University of Wisconsin–Madison athletics facility on Madison’s west side began offering cross-country skiing in 2015. He has continued to do so ever since.
“University Ridge was looking for an off-season activity and a way to continue serving the university community and UW Athletics, as well as the general public,” says G. Michael Gaspard, general manager of University Ridge Golf Course.
With the support of MadNorSki (Madison Nordic Ski Club), University Ridge blazed snow-covered trails in 2015 across the undulating, glacier-carved terrain. MadNorSki also provided lighting to the facility, enabling night skiing from Monday to Thursday until 9:00 p.m.
Ryan Wiele, University Ridge’s head golf professional, who had never skied before the course was opened to the sport, took the reins of keeping the trails nice and well-maintained. “It’s fun and completely different from what we usually do in the summer,” he says, noting one day in February after a ponderous storm that “the snow moves just right” under the groomer.
For Cary Forest, a physics professor at UW–Madison and co-president of MadNorSki, being able to offer more to the local community means a lot. The club works with local schools to provide outdoor skiing opportunities for children, with a particular focus on underrepresented youth. On February 4, University Ridge hosted over 140 middle and high school athletes competing in Southern Conference Championship ski racing.
“Youth programs are a big part of why we’re working to create places like University Ridge,” Forest says.
Despite an unusually hot winter, University Ridge remains hopeful of increasing winter membership numbers in the future, Gaspard says. Adult day passes are $9 and season memberships are $54. For those under 18, day passes are $3 and memberships are just $18. Day passes for UW students, faculty and staff are $6 and memberships are $36. University Ridge also rents classic skis, poles and boots for adults and youth for $9 per day.
“Madison loves skiing,” Gaspard says. “We are open to the public, we are a resource to help keep people active all year round, and we will welcome as many people as we can.”
