Escanaba/Pallette Lake Trails, Boulder Junction, WI - 11.5 miles of scenic hilly and rolling trail around five (5) different lakes and through stands of maple, balsam and aspen. A couple of steep hills. Shelter and fire ring provided. Intermediate.

 

The Northern Highland American Legion (NHAL) State Forest occupies more than 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. Twelve trails are available for all abilities and range from 1 mile to over 12 miles. A trail pass is required for all groomed cross-country ski trails. A comprehensive list of these cross country ski trails, including descriptions and maps, in the NHAL State Forest is available by clicking here.

 

Nordmarka Ski Club Trails, Eagle River, WI - include 7 km of terrain suitable for everyone, beginner to expert.  5 km of the trail system are on the Eagle River Municipal Golf Course and are groomed for both classical and skating techniques.  The most challenging and exciting hills are scattered throughout this portion of the trails.  Trails also connect the golf course to the middle and high school parking lots.  Click here to download the Nordmarka Ski Club  map.

 

Razorback Ridges, Sayner, WI - over 15 miles of of ski trails, half groomed for classical and the other half groomed only for skate skiing. Suitable from beginner to expert. There is a warming building and skating rink at the trailhead. From St. Germain, head north on Highway 155 to Sayner. Continue west on County Highway N approximately 2 miles. Trail head is just north of The Corner Store.  Click here to download a ski trail map.

 

Three Eagle Trail, Eagle River/Three Lakes, WI - The groomed trail includes a classic track and a “skate” lane. There are some very gentle slopes between Sundstein Road and the Mud Creek Bridge and the rest of the Trail is flat.

 

Catherine Wolter Wilderness, Presque Isle, WI - A 2,189-acre nature preserve named after the longtime Presque Isle family who donated it for the public to enjoy. Open from sunrise to sundown for a variety of silent sport activities. Pets are welcome but please be sure that dogs are on a leash from April 1 to August 1 to protect ground-nesting birds.

 

Van Vliet Hemlocks, Presque Isle, WI - This trail system winds through an old growth hemlock forest. The site’s 400 acres and mile and a half of undeveloped shoreline on Van Vliet Lake represent a rare remnant of this uniquely historic forest system. Walk along undisturbed cedar swamps, bog lakes, climb scenic eskers, and take in the richness of the pland and animal life that abounds in this special place.

 

North Lakeland School Cross-Country Ski Trail, Presque Isle, WI - A beginner-friendly classical ski trail that loops 8-10 miles on the grounds of North Lakeland School, at the corner of County Highways P & K. The trails are groomed as snow and volunteers are available. The trailhead can be accessed from the north side of the school’s football field. Another entrance is located by driving from the intersection of County Hwy K and Papoose Lake Road (west of the school). Drive north on Papoose Lake Road approximately 1 mile to a parking area.

 

SO MUCH MORE...

For more cross-country ski trail options listed by communities in Vilas County, check out this Vilas County Toursim link. Oneida County borders Vilas to the south including the communities of Rhinelander, Three Lakes Minocqua. If you are these areas, click here for a list of trails.

 

TRAIL CONDITIONS

For up-to-date reports on area trails see skinnyski.com (scroll down approximately 2/3 down to the "Wisconsin Northeast" section).

 

 "In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."  -Albert Camus

 

cross-country skiing

If you're looking for groomed trails in the Vilas County area, these are some great places to start:

 

Afterglow Resort, Phelps, WI - Miles of picturesque wooded ski trails on a private resort are open to the public for a small fee. Trails are meticulously groomed by Pro Mogul Skier, Pete Moline. Restroom and warming room available for day skiers.

 

Anvil Trail, Eagle River, WI - Originally constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the system has since been expanded and was made part of the National Recreational Trail System in 1978. Easy to more difficult.

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