This was published during my tenure as Manager of Minocqua Winter Park & Nordic Center.

1. NOVEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 29, ISSUE 2 WWW.CROSSCOUNTRYSKIER.COM
ON WISCONSIN!
CABLE - HAYWARD
MADISON
MINOQUA
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TEACHING KIDS | FAST SKIS
THE BEST CROSS COUNTRY
SKIING AND
SNOWSHOEING DIRECTORY
CCS NOV 09 | 1

2. By Phillip Edwards several healthy partnerships with
private landowners and adjacent
While you might first think of industrial forests. Covering an area
Colorado when hearing a reference of approximately 6,000 acres, annual
to Winter Park, Minocqua Winter land use agreements authorize its 75
Park is one of Wisconsin’s most kilometers of trails. The MWP chalet
venerable Nordic centers. In a state building is actually owned by town
in which most cross country skier of Minocqua and operated under a
trails areas are located on federal, long-term lease. The town also owns
state and county land, Minocqua is about 40 acres of land surrounding
among a handful of fee-based Nordic the chalet.
centers. MWP has earned a reputation
Located in the broader community as a popular family Nordic skiing
of Minocqua-Arbor Vitae-Woodruff destination and favorite escape.
in Price County, Minocqua is to north- Much of that reputation derives
central Wisconsin what Hayward is from the confidence that skiers will
to northwest Wisconsin. Known for find top-notch grooming when they
numerous lakes, classic northwoods arrive.
ambiance, muskiest and more than MWP manager Keith Smith
its share of tourist-based enterprises, explained, “It’s not only having good
the region has long been one of the equipment, but the consistency of the
upper Midwest’s preeminent tourist grooming has been key.”
destinations drawing heavily from With a staff of two full-timers and
Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, some part-timers, the core trails are
as well as Minneapolis/St. Paul. groomed almost daily, and about
While it is a fee-based trail center, one-third of the rest of the 75 km are
Minocqua Winter Park is organized “freshened up” every night. All-night
as a non-profit and operates under the grooming ensues following all major
auspices of the Lakeland Ski Touring snow events.
Foundation. It has been a mainstay With several low-snowfall years in
of the Midwest’s Nordic skiing scene the early part of this decade, MWP
since 1981. Originally, the site briefly struggled and its future was, at times,
operated as a club trail system, but uncertain. The winter of 2003-2004,
as it became more and more popular, in particular, is remembered as “the
it became necessary to organize as winter without snow,” though it finally
a non-profit. A separate charitable did snow in February. During these
organization, the Minocqua Winter tough times, the local Nordic ski
Park Trail Fund, has been created to community rallied, coming together
accept tax-deductible donations on for fund raisers to help the ski area
behalf of the trails and the operation meet its greatest financial obligation:
of the center. the annual payment on its Pisten
Minocqua Winter Park evolved out Bully groomer.
of what was originally Squirrel Hill With improved winters the past
Ski Area, a small downhill ski area couple of years attendance has
that operated in the late 1950s. While rebounded. This, coupled with a
it had a good 10-year run, the ski hill slight increase in trail fees (from
faded as bigger areas came on the $10 to $12), has contributed to a
scene around the region. Remnants much-improved financial picture at
of the ski hill remain, and today are the park. And skiers continue to be
used for “aerobic” telemark skiing.
continued on page 82
Minocqua Winter Park enjoys
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3. Youth Skiing iS Big at
Minocqua Winter Park
from page 65 Well known for children’s ski programming, Minocqua Winter
Park seeks to inspire learning, encourage improvement and
supportive and offer such comments as, “Where else can a family build confidence through activities-based, on-snow training
get this quality of a day out? It’s cheaper than going to the movies.” often camouflaged in games, group interactions and other
Despite the current downturn in the economy, Smith reports that initiatives. MWP’s signature programs and special youth
donations to the MWP Trail Fund have actually been up, further events include:
contributing to a positive position.
MinWinPA-Land: An On-Snow Playground — Designed for
Of course the heart of any Nordic center is its trails and Minocqua
kids 8 and under, the on-snow play area is within comfortable
has plenty from which to choose. The emphasis on intermediate view from inside the heated chalet including a ski-ter totter,
and easy trails makes MWP a family favorite. About 18 percent of Nordic tee-pee, ski-through hoops and an igloo.
the trails fall into the “difficult” or “most difficult” category.
With 6,000 acres in which to work, the trails cover just about every The Cookie Trail Loop encourages children to ski five km,
available terrain and forest option: open fields, ridge lines, pine stop at five mailbox stations, punch their card and redeem a
plantations, aspen thickets, hardwood and birch, abundant glacial fully punched card in the chalet for a cookie.
features, and numerous wetlands. Sited partially in an industrial New Year’s Eve Party — Adult-supervised skiing under the
forest, lands near the trails often see regular forest management. lights, ice-skating and fun games.
One trail was hit by a tornado in 1997 and today bears the name Fourth Grade Ski Passport Program — Fourth graders
Tornado Alley (though this is hardly a common occurrence). from area schools receive a free season trail pass.
Cruising is the norm in Minocqua Winter Park, with trails like
River Run and Lake Marie offering long, steady opportunities to Nordic Kids — Six-week program for kids ages 5 – 13 of on-
meander and while away the day. Short but exhilarating romps snow play and skills development through ski touring and
games that combine on-snow time, peer interactions and
through the woods can be had on VO2 Max and Beaver Pond. Closer
natural progression.
in, a friendly labyrinth of wide, easily flowing interconnected loops
Ski-4-Ks — After each Minocqua Winter Park trail
experience, skiers up to age 18 log their number
of kilometers skied on chart in the chalet with a
Better than you ever thought Winter could be! prize drawing at the end of ski season.
Youth Ski Festival — A festival of fun ski games
and activities celebrating ways that kids can move
on a pair of skis: radar gun speed skiing, ski-ter
totter, obstacle course, barrel sprints and lots
more.
MinWhippersnapper Time Trials — A short, just-
for-fun, timed, one-lap course for kids in stadium
view of the chalet. Kids “race” one at a time and
win a Gold Chocolate Medal for participating.
Base-Loop Initiative — Kids ages 5 and under
are encouraged to ski the 2.2 km MWP Base Loop
independently without direct assistance for the
very first time and receive a special certificate in
a ceremony at the chalet.
Flying Squirrels Ski Club — For kids kindergarten
through second grade, simple lessons, equipment
orientation, ski games, short trail tours, aprés ski
hot cocoa and snacks.
Minocqua Winter Park Ski School — MWP PSIA-
When visiting
Minocqua Winte certified instructors tailor lessons to the needs of
r Park, be sur
to check with e
the Minocqua each student with beginner, special, private and
Area Chamber
Co mmerce fo of
r infor mation
dining, shopp
on lodging, semi-private lessons.
ing
area activities Events, Conditions, News & More: Junior MinWinPA Skier — Like a Junior Ranger
and more! MINOCQUAWINTERPARK.ORG program only for young skiers who complete
1-800-44-NORTH MIN 715-356-3309
OCQUA.ORG
activities in a special booklet. Upon completion of
the booklet the skier receives a special award.
82 | CCS NOV 09

4. are within reach of most beginner and intermediate skiers. For the
more hardcore, Nutcracker and Windy Ridge offer steep climbs
and descents with plenty of twists and turns.
HOLIDAY GIFT CENTER
Minocqua Winter Park also offers three km of snowshoe trails,
two km of lit trail and about six km of trails open to ski-joring every
day except Saturday.
Minocqua Winter Park also has an inviting chalet. Not modern
by contemporary standards, its A-frame construction is open and
roomy, with plenty of sitting areas, a wood stove, modern bathrooms
and a full service snack bar. The chalet is a carry-over from the
downhill ski days, though it has been modernized and expanded
several times — adding a kitchen and ski shop and making other
structural improvements. The ski shop carries all the top brands
of equipment, clothing and wax, and offers top-level instruction.
Both the ski shop and the food concession are operated by outside
vendors. Holiday & All-Occasion Cards
A number of people have contributed to MWP’s reputation; — $7.95
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER OF 7.95
SPECIAL HOLIDAY
principal among them are Dan and Llona Clausen, who for years Snowy Ski | Skiing Santa
operated the center, ski shop and instructional programs. Dan Nordic Genesis | The Christmas Tree
continues to run the MWP ski shop and instructional programs. He is
respected as one of an elite corps of Nordic ski instructors, holding
the highest-level PSIA certification and having been selected
several times to the National Demo Team. In addition to Clausen,
the shop may provide up to six instructors during the busiest times
of the season.
The Minocqua area, like many cross country ski communities,
is anchored by numerous skiing families and individuals who have Gift Subscription
made significant contributions to the area and the sport including: Give the Gift of Cross Country Skier
Wes Doak, known as the “godfather of local skiing,” who helped SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER OF 11.95
introduce cross country skiing to the area; Dave Sconzer, one of
original founders of MWP still works as head groomer; and Ken and
Pam Schoville, long-time coaches for Lakeland Nordic Ski Team, a
perennial state championship contender, to name but a few.
A seven-member board of directors runs the Lakeland Ski
Touring Foundation. Keith Smith will be entering his fourth year as
MWP’s full-time manager. Smith, a former park ranger in Baxter
State Park in Maine, worked in the Maine public schools, where
he helped establish Nordic ski programs and collaborated with the
Maine Winter Sports Center and its Healthy Hometown programs.
His previous experience made him a good fit for MWP.
GREAT GIFT! 14.95
With an annual budget of $120,000, close to half of which is
grooming-related, the operation of Minocqua Winter Park is no small Cross Country Skiing: Building Skills
undertaking for the non-profit Lakeland Ski Touring Foundation. for Fun and Fitness
Steve Hindman
In an effort to replace aging grooming equipment and ensure the
organization’s continued stability, the foundation recently launched
a capital campaign. Dubbed “On Track,” the campaign has an
ambitious goal of $200,000. Within a week of its kick-off party, the
campaign had already raised close to $52,000.
With that kind of community passion and support, it’s easy to see
and understand why Minocqua Winter Park is one of Wisconsin’s
favorite Nordic centers.
For more information:
Minocqua Winter Park Nordic Genesis Print
12375 Scotchman Lake Road | Minocqua, WI 54548 SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER OF 14.95
715/356-3309 | www.minocquawinterpark.org
AVAILABLE @ WWW.CROSSCOUNTRYSKIER.COM 83
CCS NOV 09 |