Waushara County Skiing: Ultimate 2024 Guide
Planning on going skiing in Waushara County?
Waushara County is a great destination for skiing, whether you are looking to go downhill skiing at a ski resort, cross-country skiing on some local trails, or waterskiing on one of the lakes.
As a local in Wisconsin, I’ve gone skiing many times in Waushara County. Based on this
experience, I’ve created this guide on the best Waushara County skiing, including both downhill and cross-country ski trails.
If you are visiting during the summer, I’ve also included some of the best lakes for water skiing in Waushara County.
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Waushara County Skiing
Wisconsin’s northern climate makes it an ideal state for skiing, and Waushara County offers plenty of great ski opportunities.
Typically, ski season in Wisconsin is between early December through the end of February as this is when the state experiences good amounts of snowfall. However, in the summer months water skiing is a popular pastime due to the many inland lakes in the state.
So, whether you are visiting in the winter or summer, skiing is a must-try activity in Wisconsin!
Ski Trails In Waushara County
In Waushara County, there is a ski resort with downhill skiing and a few different county parks that offer cross-country ski trails. Below, you’ll find the best ski trails in the county to help you plan your winter ski trip.
1. Nordic Mountain Ski Resort
WHERE? W5806 County Rd W, Wild Rose, WI 54984 | TICKET?: Yes
Nordic Mountain is one of the top ski resorts in Wisconsin and is a great place to go
snowboarding or downhill skiing in Waushara County. The resort covers 60 acres and includes downhill ski runs, terrain parks, and a tubing hill.
There are 16 different ski runs available at Nordic Mountain, so whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skier there will be a slope for you.
The base elevation of Nordic Mountain is 872 feet, with a peak elevation of 1137 feet. There is also a skiable vertical of 265 feet.
If you have never gone downhill skiing before, Nordic Mountain offers ski lessons to help you get started. They also incorporate a terrain-based learning method so that you can have a successful start and then work towards improving your skiing skills.
Nordic Ski Resort is open in winter, generally from the beginning of December through the end of February.
They offer various ticket options, including day passes and season passes. It is also possible to rent ski or snowboarding equipment through the resort.
2. Mt Morris Hills County Park
WHERE? N3876 Cty Rd. G Wild Rose, WI 54984| TICKET? No
Mt Morris Hills County Park is the largest park in Waushara County and consists of 383 acres.
There are 4.3 miles of hiking trails at Mt Morris Hills County Park, which are maintained as
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails during the winter.
One thing to note is that from November to April, the winter trailhead can be accessed from Willow Creek County Park as the Mt. Morris Hills County Park is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter months.
3. Kusel Lake County Park
WHERE? N 2402 S. Townline Road Wautoma, WI 54982 | TICKET? No
Kusel Lake County Park is a 90-acre park that borders the eastern side of Kusel Lake. The park is very scenic, with lots of pine trees that are very pretty after a fresh snowfall.
Within the park are well-groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The trails are perfect for beginner to intermediate-level cross-country skiers as the terrain is mostly flat or gently rolling.
All of the trails at Kusel Lake County Park are one-way trails. There are also public facilities and a shelter available at the trailhead.
4. Willow Creek
WHERE? W5806 Hwy W Wild Rose, WI 54984| TICKET? No
Willow Creek is the smallest park in Waushara County. While the park is small in size, it does have a 1-mile cross-country ski loop which is perfect for beginner level skiers.
The Willow Creek trail also connects to the longer trails that are a part of the Mt. Morris Hills County Park. During the winter months, you will need to start skiing from the Willow Creek trailhead to access the longer trails.
Waterskiing in Waushara County
Skiing isn’t just a winter activity in Waushara County, because during the summer you can try waterskiing! There are several lakes throughout the county, but the top lakes for waterskiing are below.
Big Hills Lake
Big Hills Lake is a 135-acre lake that is a popular place for fishing, boating, and waterskiing.
Waterskiing can be done daily between the hours of 9:30 am. to 5:30 pm. There is also a
10-acre park adjacent to the lake which has picnic tables and grills, playground equipment, and a boat landing.
Lake Poygan
One of the larger lakes in the area, Lake Poygan covers around 14,000 acres. The western
portion of this lake is in Waushara County, while the other portion is in Winnebago County.
Lake Poygan has lots of great water skiing opportunities, as well as boating, fishing, kayaking, and more. It is a perfect place to visit during the summer to try water skiing or other water activities.
Irogami Lake
This 290-acre lake is located in the center of Waushara County. It is a great place for water skiing, swimming, kayaking, and more. The water is more shallow here, which makes it a good choice for beginner water skiers.
Big Silver Lake
Big Silver Lake is a 344-acre lake that is located adjacent to Irogami Lake but is much deeper with a maximum depth of 50 feet. Activities on this lake include water skiing, canoeing, boating, jet skiing, and swimming.
When Can You Ski In Waushara County?
You can ski in Waushara all year round as there is downhill and cross-country skiing in the
winter, and water skiing in the warmer months.
The best time to go downhill and cross-country skiing is between December through February because this type of skiing requires some cold weather and snow.
Waushara County experiences an average of around 45 inches of snow per year, which mostly occurs from December through February, but it is possible to see snow in November, March, and even April.
The best time to go water skiing is from June through August when the temperatures are warm and most days are between 70°-80° F. The best month of all is August because the lake temperature is usually at its warmest and the days are typically warm and sunny.
Skiing in Waushara County Equipment List
When going downhill or cross-country skiing, there are several different items you will want to bring with you.
The good news is that if you visit a ski resort like Nordic Mountain, you can rent some of the main ski equipment, such as skis, a helmet, a pair of ski boots, and ski poles.
However, it may be worth purchasing these items if you plan to ski more than once. You will also need your own gear if you go cross-country skiing at one of the county park trails.
Below is a packing list of all the items that you will need for a ski trip in Waushara County:
- Skis
- Helmet
- Ski poles
- Ski boots
- Thermal base layer
- Winter jacket
- Ski pants or snow pants
- Wool socks
- Waterproof boots
- Face warmer or neck gaiter
- Gloves
- Hand warmers
- Sweater
- Scarf
- Lip balm and lotion
- Snow goggles or sunglasses
- Portable phone charger
- Snacks
- Reusable water bottle
- Backpack
Where to Stay in Waushara County
Waushara County is home to small towns and several lakes and county parks. One of the best ways to experience Waushara County is by renting a cabin because it will be closer to the ski trails and will give you a chance to experience the beautiful nature in this part of Wisconsin.
Below are a few places to stay that are perfect for a ski trip to Waushara, Wisconsin.
Lakefront Home Near Skiing
This lakefront cottage has the perfect location for anyone looking to go skiing in Waushara County. It is only 2 miles from downhill skiing at Nordic Mountain and from cross-country skiing at Mt. Morris Hills County Park.
The cottage can sleep up to 9 people and has 2 bedrooms and a loft area. It also has an outdoor deck with patio furniture, lake views, and direct lake access.
This is the perfect place for families or small groups, whether you are coming during winter to ski or during summer to enjoy the lake.
Peaceful Lake Home
Located in Wild Rose, WI this is a great cabin rental for a peaceful getaway. The cabin is on the non-motorized Little Silver Lake, which is a nice spot for kayaking and fishing.
This cabin is open year-round and is also only 3 miles away from the Nordic Mountain Ski Resort, which makes it a great base for a ski trip.
The cabin sleeps 6 people in 2 bedrooms and a bonus room. It also has a beautiful lake view and a small dock that is perfect for launching your kayak or paddleboard in the summertime.
Blackberry Lodge
This rustic log cabin is located on 7 acres of land, giving you the ultimate cabin experience. It is also close to several cross-country ski trails and Nordic Mountain Ski Resort.
The log cabin sleeps 8 people and has 2-bedrooms and a loft area. It has a northern decor style with beautiful wooden furniture, which adds to the log cabin feel. There is also a large stone fireplace which is the perfect place to warm up after a day on the ski slopes.
FAQs
To go skiing at Nordic Mountain Ski Resort, you will need to buy a day pass or a season pass. The prices can vary, but all-day passes start at $70 per adult. You can also purchase a 6-hour flex day pass or a night ski pass for a lower rate. The resort also offers discounts for children under 12 years of age and for seniors over 60 years of age.
Yes, you can ski in Waushara County. There is downhill skiing at Nordic Mountain and
cross-country skiing at some of the trails in the county parks. During the warmer months, you can also go waterskiing out on one of the Waushara County lakes.
Nordic Mountain Ski Resort is the best place to ski in Waushara County. Nordic Mountain offers several exciting downhill ski runs, as well as snowboarding and tubing hills. If you are looking to go cross-country skiing, the county parks such as Mt. Morris Hill County Park or Kusel Lake County Park offer several great cross-country ski trails.
The best time to go downhill or cross-country skiing is from the end of December through February, as that is when Waushara County receives the most snowfall in the year. However, if you are looking to try water skiing, going in July or August is ideal as the weather and lake temperatures are warm.
Conclusion: Waushara County Skiing
There are plenty of options for where to go for Waushara County skiing, which makes it a
perfect place to visit in Wisconsin for a ski trip. Whether you choose to go downhill skiing at Nordic Mountain, cross-country skiing on one of the local trails, or waterskiing on the lakes, you are sure to have a great time in Waushara Wisconsin.
If you are heading to Waushara County, you should also check out the small town of Oxford, which is less than a 1-hour drive away. There are plenty of fun things to do in Oxford, and it is close to the popular Wisconsin Dells area.
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