Wausau has long been a destination for Wisconsin skiers.
With one of the highest points in the country and a fairly reliable snow base, Granite Peak on Mount Rib has become one of the best downhill skiing spots in the Badger State.
But in the shadow of the mountains lies another great ski resort for Nordic believers.
4,900 acres Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area south of Wausau there are over 30 kilometers of well-groomed cross-country ski trails with a variety of terrain. Add to that a cozy cottage where you can rent snowshoes and skis, and two wood-burning fireplaces to keep balmy, and you have the perfect place for a winter getaway.
“I’m obviously biased, but I think Nine Mile is one of the best cross-country skiing resorts in the state of Wisconsin,” said John Burke, president of the association Wausau Nordic Ski Club. “It has a solid trail system, a good lodge, nice parking, is well marked and well maintained.”
Burke has been associated with the club, which was founded in 1971, for over 20 years. It now has about 300 members, he said, who support with everything from maintaining the trails in the off-season to running free ski lessons for adults and programs for children from elementary to high school.
If these skiers are beginners, they will find amiable terrain at Nine Mile.
“One of the things I like about the trail system is the design and layout where there really aren’t any dangerous parts that a beginner skier might feel overwhelmed by,” Burke said. “From a beginner’s perspective, many of the nearby trails are skiable for just about anyone.”
A beginner skier can confirm this. On a bitterly chilly Monday in delayed January, I was grateful for the uncomplicated terrain as I made my way through the loops near the trailhead. The tiny hills provided some challenge and thrill, but were not beyond my modest capabilities.
The fluffy, falling snow created a picturesque background and helped soften the slightly frosted classical songs. And in almost two hours, I saw only a few other skiers on the trails – another advantage of Nine Mile.
“You can ski there on a busy day and hardly see anyone,” Burke said.
Most trails are one-way, helping to create a flow for a solitude experience in the forest, and all trails are groomed for ice skating and nordic skiing, some with two trails to the latter.
Advanced skiers will also find terrain to suit their skills, Burke said, noting that some head to the section known as the Alps to train for Birkebeiner and its killer hills.
“I think that’s one of the advantages — a nice mix of trails,” he said.
For children ages 9 to 5, 6km of trails are illuminated most nights until 9 p.m.
“From an employee standpoint, someone who works every day, it’s really nice because you can go out there and ski in the evening, which is actually a pretty nice time to ski,” Burke said.
For non-skiers, there are over 10 kilometers of snowshoe trails available in the forest.
In summer, the forest is filled with mountain bikers who ride 20 km of single-track trails set by the local mountain biking club, the Association Central Wisconsin Off-Road Cycling Coalition, helped build. Foragers also descend into the forest to pick blackberries, blueberries, and cherries, and horseback riders can also find trails for their steeds.
More information: Daily ski passes for Nine Mile are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students and children. Season passes, discounted evening ski passes and group rates are also available.
A daily snowshoe pass costs $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for students and children.
The Nine Mile Shelter rents skis ($12/adult, $10/children under 12) and snowshoes ($7/adult, $5/children) and is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday ( closed at 6:00 p.m. after the first weekend in February), on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dogs are not allowed on any of the groomed trails.
Wausau Nordic Ski Club offers free adult ski lessons – which include trail waivers and equipment rental fees – on Tuesday evenings each January. More about the club see wausaunordic.com.
For information about trail conditions at Nine Mile, call the trail hotline at (888) 948-4748 or see skinnyski.com. For more about the recreation area, see co.marathon.wi.us/parks.asp.
Drive: Find the Nine Mile County Forest Lodge at 8704 Red Bud Road in Wausau, approximately 200 miles northwest of Milwaukee via I-41, Highways 45 and 10, I-39 and S. Rib Mountain Road.
