There is no escaping the cold if you spend winter in Wisconsin, but you can learn to love it. The trick is to head outside and get active. A great way to clear your mind and warm your body is cross-country skiing.
Cross-country, or Nordic, skiing can be done in many parks and golf courses throughout Wisconsin. All you need is a pair of cross-country skis, boots and a set of poles. Perhaps the best part, according to Dr. Eric Heiligenstein, avid skier and clinical director of psychiatry at UW Student Health Services, is ""you will stay warm"" while doing it—guaranteed.
There are two types of cross-country skiing: classical, which involves a striding motion, and skate skiing, which is more technical and involves a rollerblading motion. Each requires its own type of ski. For gear rentals near campus, head to either Fontana Sports, 251 State St., or Sepp Sports, 1805 Monroe St. You can also rent equipment at Elver Park, 1240 McKenna Bvld., and Odana Golf Course, 4635 Odana Rd., in the city, but call ahead for dates and times. As for clothing, you need to wear light, breathable layers—not cotton.
Madison ""is a really good supporter [of cross country skiing],"" said Walter Meanwell, co-president of Madnorski Nordic Ski Club, ""they do a good job with the trails and all you need is snow.""
Elver is one of the best places to go skiing in Madison, but there are many other places to try out.
To escape the city, there are many state parks that offer skiing. Heiligienstein enjoys going to Governor Nelson.
""I have to pinch myself every time I go,"" as he said being a mere 15 minutes away from Madison is so drastically different.
Cross-country skiing is a great excuse to get away for a weekend trip. Two great options are Minocqua Winter Park in Minocqua, Wis. and the Telemark Lodge in Cable, Wis. Telemark Lodge is the most popular place to cross country ski in Wisconsin because it is home to the Birkebeiner, the largest ski race in the country, which occurs every February. These places offer a typical Wisconsin getaway that includes a day full of skiing followed by the warmth of a fire with some hot chocolate in your lodge. Both offer lessons and rentals.
Cross-country skiing is a social activity, and two local clubs can help you meet other skiers. Hoofers Nordic Ski Club is available on campus for students.
""We practice twice a week doing ski specific drills and workouts [before] the snow comes, and then we travel out to Elver Park and Odana Golf Course to ski during the season,"" said the club's co-director Stalland. Hoofers is open to all undergraduate and graduate school students.
Madnorski (Madison Nordic Ski Club) is an off-campus club open to anyone. Meetings, held on the second Monday of each month, are usually devoted to practical information. The club offers lessons, which is an important aspect.
""You really need to make sure someone watches what you do because the better you do it the more fun it is,"" Heiligenstein said.
Cross-country skiing could be the prescription for changing your attitude about winter. There are ""no bad winter days, just some days when the snow is better than others,"" Heiligenstein joked.
Recommended trails statewide:
Brule River State Forest: 6250 S. Ranger Rd., Brule, Wis.
715-372-5678
Copper Falls State Park: 36764 Copper Falls Rd., Mellen, Wis.
715-274-5123
Governor Dodge State Park: 4175 Highway 23, Dodgeville, Wis.
608-935-2315
Flambeau River State Forest: 1613 County Road, Winter, Wis.
715-332-5271
For more information:
www.madnorski.org
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/ski/sc.htm
www.ci.madison.wi.us/Parks/winterAct4.html
uwnordic@gmail.com
