Winter Fun 2018

PRESENTED BY +

WEATHER FIT FOR FAT loca l f atbik ing s cene welcome s new bie s, old helme t s

BY SEAN BRANDENBURG • PHOTOS BY JEREME RAUCKMAN

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ith December temps in the the case, as fatbikes can move and handle mid-to-high 30s, it would as quickly as standard mountain bikes. seem that snow will come Adam Altman is a local mountain bike and go this winter. One thing racer who also races fatbikes in winter. that is here to stay, though, He recently competed in the Solstice is fat biking. Even if you haven’t tried it Chase fatbike race in St. Croix Falls, and yet, you’ve likely seen mountain bikes said that fatbikes are really just mounwith monstrous tires rolling through tain bikes with bigger tires. Nowadays, the winter forests. Riders use the same he said, much of the same technology that trails mountain bikers use in summer, goes into a racing mountain bike can be and some trails are even groomed by found in fatbikes. Fatbikes accelerate machine – think snowmobile and mini quickly, handle great, and allow riders ski groomer. At this point, fat bikes are to tackle conditions and obstacles that such a large part of cycling that there were previously unrideable, according are fat-specific races every weekend to Altmann. But for him, it’s all about the throughout the Midwest from October to traction those giant tires provide.

March. There’s even “With that big a Global Fat Bike tire, you can shred Day celebration on a corner and lean the first Saturday in your bike over December. without worrying Here in Eau about losing traction Claire we have the and keeping your CORBA Powderkeg momentum going,” Snowshoe and he said.

Fatbike Race that There will be takes place in late plenty of opportuniJanuary at Lowes ties for Altmann and Creek County Park. other locals to keep For race director their winter momenJereme Rauckman, tum going. Pinehurst fatbiking is another Park’s Winter After way to get through Hours events will our long winters feature several while having yearjust-for-fun fatbike round outdoor experaces this winter. riences.

John Froelich of “Winter bummed OutdoorMore Inc., me out, and I says that the races couldn’t wait for it will be great for to end,” Rauckman beginners, and that JEREME RAUCKMAN, CORBA POWDERKEG said. “Then I got laps will be relativeSNOWSHOE AND FATBIKE RACE DIRECTOR interested in snowly short which makes shoeing, and crossfor great spectating. country skiing, and fat biking and found “We just want people to get out and myself embracing winter more – seeing enjoy the outdoors in winter,” Froelich the outdoors in a completely different said. “And there’s no better way to do that way than I was used to seeing it.” than on a fatbike. I love it so much. It’s Rauckman describes the Powderkeg my favorite way to ride and my favorite fatbike race as a fun and low-key event outdoor activity, regardless of season.” that has a little something for everyone.

If you’re curious about fatbiking, or It’s a great way for winter riders to gather are interested in trying one out, be sure and celebrate fatbiking and raise money to stop in to one of the Chippewa Valley’s for local trails. Some folks are in it to win several great locally owned bike shops. it, while others just want to ride a couple Each one offers fatbikes and has a staff of laps casually and hang out eating chili that can answer your questions and get with friends afterward. “And if you’re you pointed towards a winter wonderland totally new to fat biking, the Powder of fatbike trails.

Keg’s casual atmosphere is perfect,” For more information about the Rauckman said.

CORBA Powderkeg, visit chippewaofSome may be surprised that there is froad.org/powderkeg. You can also learn so much racing to be done on fatbikes. more about local winter biking at www.

Many people who see fatbikes for the facebook.com/ThePinehurstProject/ or first time assume they are slow and by joining the SHIFT Adventure Club on cumbersome machines that are made for Facebook. trudging through deep snow. That’s not

“Winter bummed me out, a n d I c o u l d n’t w a i t f o r i t t o e n d .T h e n I g o t i n t e r e s t e d in snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, and fat biking and found myself embracing winter more – seeing the outdoors in a completely d i f f e r e n t w ay t h a n I w a s u s e d t o s e e i n g i t .”

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NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME chill y f un come s t o P inehur s t Pa rk on Thur s days this Ja nua r y a nd Februa r y

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ow that winter is officially upon us, it might be tempting to lock your doors and burritoroll inside your favorite blanket. But here in Wisconsin, cold weather doesn’t have to negate outdoor fun. The Chippewa Valley’s annual hangout celebrating outdoor winter activities is here!

Escape your winter bunker and bring the family to Winter After Hours, sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System in partnership with OutdoorMore, Volume One and Chippewa Valley Family magazines, and the Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.

Beginning Jan. 3, this snow-centered social will be held 6-8pm every Thursday during January and February (weather permitting, of course). Held at Pinehurst Park on Eau Claire’s north side, Winter After Hours challenges residents to embrace the snow rather than grimace at it. Pinehurst offers 60 acres of winter fun where you can sled, ice skate, cross-country ski and snowshoe on groomed and lit trails, and more. No snowshoes or skates?

No problem! Skate and snowshoe rentals will be available, and safety equipment will be free to use.

Still not willing to leave the comfort of your couch?

Impromptu hockey games are encouraged, fat tire bike trails are available, and if you can find an unspoiled spot, feel free to make a snowman or snow angel. Relax and enjoy the giant fire pit, music, warming house, and free hot cocoa (with the possibility of other edible surprises).

This year’s special activities include Pinehurst Winter Safety Day on Jan. 17, presented by the Parks Department and Eau Claire Fire and Rescue. At Winter Safety Day you’ll learn about winter sports safety, including proper headgear and equipment. There will also be a helmet giveaway, and you’ll be able to mingle with police officers and firefighters and check out a firetruck! Unlike Winter After Hours’ previous home, Boyd Park, visitors will find plenty of parking at Pinehurst Park at 3523 Delbert Road, just a few blocks east of Business Highway 53.

Whether you’re 5 or 85, all are welcome to enjoy the crisp air and the warm fun. Pile on the layers, strap on those boots, and come to Pinehurst Park for weekly alfresco activities. Visit volumeone.org/winter to find more information and updates about Winter After Hours.

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B TWO-IMAGE PANORAMIC AHUTTER SPEED: 20 SECONDS LENS: 16MM F3.2 ISO: 400

c i k 5

CHASING COLORS

v B i t

a urora borea lis inspire s pho t og ra phic hun t

BY LAUREN FISHER • PHOTOS BY TIM ABRAHAM

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erhaps losing the feeling in your fingertips for the sake of snowshoeing or skiing isn’t a fair trade, but would you risk frostbite for a perfect picture of the quintessential mid-winter sighting: the aurora borealis? Although Wisconsin doesn’t see as much of the gauzy green apparition as more northern locales, aurora hunting is a popular pastime with professional and amateur photographers all over the Chippewa Valley.

Tim Abraham, a professional Eau Claire photographer and dedicated hobbyist, compares the quest for amazing aurora photography to the mushroom hunter’s morel campaign. It takes dedication and patience, and success is an addictive thrill that drives people to try for just one more win. “When you see these waves of green, especially if they’re moving, and the pillars come, oh my gosh your heart just skips a beat,” Abraham said.

A little bit of photography knowhow, a tripod, and a camera that allows you to adjust its settings are necessary for taking pictures of the aurora. You’ll want to shoot with the widest aperture you can, with the lens focused on infinity. The ISO should be as high as you can stand so that you can keep your shutter open for as short a time as possible. These settings will allow a photographer to let as much light into the

camera as possible over a short period of time, resulting in crisp images that really capture the shapes and swirls of the northern lights.

In order to keep the camera still while the shutter is open, mount the device on a sturdy tripod and weight the whole operation down. Abraham recommends removing the camera strap or any other accessories that could catch the wind, and hooking your camera bag to the tripod as a weight.

He usually photographs the aurora with two cameras: one programmed to shoot continuously so he can create a time lapse, and one he stands watch over, snapping in bursts during the most active moments of the show.

The aurora borealis is the reaction between particles from the sun’s atmosphere that have reached Earth and particles from our own atmosphere.

It is most active after sun spots fling matter from the star’s surface on solar winds toward our planet. There are a number of websites and applications dedicated to predicting auroral activity a few days in advance Abraham uses a phone application called Soft Serve News. The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks provides a forecast at www.gi.alaska.edu.

These sites provide a Kp rating to indicate geomagnetic activity level, with higher numbers suggesting more of a chance of seeing the lights. Abraham WINTER FUN 2018

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usually waits until the Kp rating reaches four or higher to go hunting.

If the chances are good, he drives out of town, trying to get away from the light pollution of Eau Claire and surrounding communities. After years of practice, he has several checkpoints where he stops to point his camera into apparent darkness, testing for auroral activity that is too faint for human eyes but visible to a properly programmed device. Once he’s chosen a spot, it’s a waiting game.

“It’s a long process, and you keep looking at your watch thinking, ‘Jeez, work is coming real soon, but this is happening right now,’ ” Abraham said. He often goes out on his own to photograph the lights, wandering into the solitary night to find new settings.

Once, he was startled by a herd of cows that crept up to check him out. Some

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nights, there are less friendly animals around.

“When the coyotes start to go … It’s quite horrific,” he said, describing the sound of their calls.

For Abraham, aurora photography is a personal challenge, and sharing his success is a social activity.

“I don’t hunt, I don’t fish,” he said.

“Photography is my therapy, my thing. … I suppose there’s a little ego in it, in that ‘I did it and you didn’t.’ ” He loves showing others things they might never see on their own, and texting other hunters during an active night.

Often, when he’s on the side of the road with his lens pointed north, he has to refrain from stopping motorists in their travels to point heavenward.

“Look what you’re missing!” he wants to tell them as the colors swirl on the horizon.

B f b W a a t c t t W W t h I O t u 1 m i e o m t

T A w m n t A s a m s T y

NORAMIC SECONDS 6MM F3.2 ISO: 400

BUCK UP FOR THE BIRKIE sk ier s from nea r a nd f a r gea r up f or Nor th A merica’s la rge s t cro s s-coun tr y ra ce

BY NE ALY CORCOR AN • PHOTO BY ANDRE A PAUL SE TH

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ob Burch is a world-class awards thousands of dollars to youth skier who has skied the largskiing organizations throughout the est cross-country ski race in region and nation to foster young peoNorth America, the American ple making skiing part of their life.

Birkebeiner, every year for Originally from Appleton, Bob 36 years. This February he will make Burch attended UW-Eau Claire and the drive from Eau Claire to compete graduated in the early 1970s with a in the massive race from Cable to bachelor’s degree in social work. After Hayward for the 37th time. graduation, Bob worked at a group Known as the Birkie. the race welhome and would take residents out for comes both skate and classic-style skidifferent activities including skiing. ing. For skaters, the course covers 50 Through that experience, Burch found kilometers, while for classic skiers it’s another way to “embrace Wisconsin 55 kilometers. and the seasons,” For dedicated he said. In addiveterans such as tion to participatBurch, the Birkie ing in the Birkie is the “highlight of for almost four the season.” decades, Burch The American has skied sevBirkebeiner was eral races on founded in 1973 the Worldloppet by the late Tony circuit in nine Wise. Revered as countries. “Ten a visionary and if you count the avid environmenfact that I went to talist, Wise is Norway twice to BOB BURCH, credited for his ski the Norwegian AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER COMPETITOR tireless promoBirkebeiner,” he

“S o m e r a c e r s f i n d t h a t the course is one of the tougher races. There is not a whole lot of f lat associated with t h e B i r k i e .”

tion of northern Wisconsin. After returning from World War II in 1947, Wise started the Telemark ski resort in Cable, and he operated the lodge through 1984.

In 1978 Wise formed the Worldloppet Organization, an international association of long-distance ski races that now unites the American Birkebeiner with 19 of the world’s most prestigious ski marathons. The American Birkebeiner is one of the nine original races in the event, which has grown to 20 races on five continents. Today, skiers from many nations come to Wisconsin to ski the Birkie.

In 1985, Wise lost control of Telemark Lodge. Subsequently, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation was formed. With its mission to promote and conduct the finest international cross-country ski competition, serve as good stewards of the American Birkebeiner Trail, and support healthy and active lifestyles among people of all ages and abilities, members of the foundation have preserved the legacy and contributions of Tony Wise in the Hayward area. Each year a development grant program

added. Both times, the race was canceled due to 60-70 mph winds on top of the mountains. Burch has skied in Canada, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France.

Bob has lived in Eau Claire for years, and is an active part of the ski community. After skiing his first Birkie in 1981, he joined the Eau Claire Ski Striders Club. Each winter, Burch and other members of the club train and compete in a variety of short- and longdistance races in preparation for the Birkie.

Over the years he has learned that the course is a challenge for international skiers. “Some racers find that the course is one of the tougher races.

There is not a whole lot of flat associated with the Birkie,” he said.

This winter, the race will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23. According to the Birkebeiner Foundation, skiers from 49 states and 36 countries participated in 2018. The race currently enlists 9,500 racers. Throughout the weekend festivities, the event hosts 11,000 skiers of all ages and 20,000 spectators. More information about the Birkebeiner is available online at birkie.com.

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DRILLING DOWN we s t ern Wis consin f irm f inds succe s s w i th specia l t y ice f ishing produc t s

BY BARBARA ARNOLD

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n early December, you might have seen many an ice angler out on Half Moon Lake, including a few bright red pop-up tents with the brand name Eskimo. With a name like that, you might think Alaska or Canada. Actually, Eskimo Ice Fishing Gear and Ion Electric Ice Augers are made by a company headquartered in Cumberland, Wisconsin, just an hour

from Eau Claire. Eskimo and Ion are two of 10 brands created by a halfcentury old company called Ardisam Inc. which is known for reliable fishing shelters, augers, and other outdoor products. The company employs about 130 people.

“In 1960, my grandfather Dick Ruppel started up a small machine shop with two other guys named Art

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and Sam – thus the name of the parent company, AR-DI-SAM,” said grandson Graham Ruppel, the company’s director of marketing. The company’s main focus was the ice auger, and although Dick Ruppel was the only founder who stayed with the business after the first year, the operation grew slowly and surely.

His sons, Mark and Ron, took over in the mid-1990s, and the company expanded from a single machine shop with two products into eight manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Cumberland plus an office in China. In addition to the Eskimo and Ion brands, Ardisam also owns Barronett Blinds, Castle Pellet Stoves, Earthquake Groundbreaking Power Equipment, Gazelle Tents, Rivers Edge Treestands, Yardbird Chicken Plucker, Yukon Tracks, and Yutrax ATV Accessories.

“The new products we create are based on input from our super users,” Ruppel said. “We are focused on solving the problems that our users want solved, and then we test, test, and test, before a product comes to market.”

While Ruppel enjoys ice fishing, he is not a die-hard fanatic. That role belongs to Tony Aloia, principal consultant for the 32 Degrees Outdoor Group, and brand ambassador for the Eskimo and Ion brands. Aloia grew up in Michigan’s upper peninsula and credits his enthusiasm to his dad for first taking him ice fishing at age 6.

Before getting into the camaraderie and fun of ice fishing, Aloia was quick to emphasize safety. “First and foremost, no matter how much you want to catch that fish, ice safety comes first, whether you are an experienced or novice ice

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angler,” he said. “Always let someone know your plans – where you are going and when you expect to return. And preferably, go with a friend; don’t go alone. Take your cell phone with you.

Dress appropriately for the weather, and remember to wear a hat, gloves or mittens, and boots. You lose the most heat from your extremities. Wear a life vest or take one along. Always carry something sharp to pull yourself to safety if you fall in.”

You also need to judge the thickness of the ice to ensure it’s safe to walk and fish on. Contact your local Department of Natural Resources office, bait shop, or fishing club about current conditions.

Pay attention to “Thin Ice” signs. Watch the color of the ice. Gray or dark ice means soft, slushy ice. Hard blue-colored ice usually means strong, thick ice.

Depending on your mode of transportation, you need 5 inches of ice for an ATV, 6 inches for a snowmobile, and 10 to 12 inches of ice for a car or light truck.

Prior to the start of ice fishing season, Aloia and Ruppel attend many ice fishing and winter sports shows. The St. Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show, now in its 26th year, is one of the largest. Aloia just returned from the Fargo Ice Show, which he created and coordinated. “Ice fishing is definitely growing in popularity,” he said. “We are finding that ice fishing is becoming a family affair. It’s a great way to get outside during the winter, enjoy nature, and get some fish to eat at the same time.”

More information about Ardisam outdoor gear and the company is available online at www.ardisam.com.

,

ANDREA PAULSETH

WINTRY LISTINGS R elish in the cold , embra ce the chill.

LISTINGS BY JAMES JOHONNOTT

WINTER FUN EVENTS Rock’N New Year’s Family Skate Dec. 31, 6-9pm •

Hobbs Ice Arena, 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire • $4/ person includes skate rental • All Ages • (715) 8395032 • eauclairewi.gov Open Skating, DJ and Inflatable Screen, Balloon Drop with Prizes, Skating Obstacle Course, Boot Games, Hot Chocolate Bar and More.

First Day Hike - Wildlife and History Hike/Ski Jan.

1, noon-2pm • Red Cedar State Trail, 921 Brickyard Road, Menomonie • dnr.wi.gov Gather on the Red Cedar State Trail for a wildlife and history hike/ski.

Bring your cross-country skis and binoculars. Meet at the Depot Visitor Center/ Red Cedar State trail head.

The hike will take place on the Junction Trail - going north from the Visitor Center.

Winter After Hours 2019 Every Thursday from Jan. 3

2019 to Feb. 28 2019, 6-8pm • Pinehurst Park, 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • FREE • All ages • (715) 839-5032 • volumeone.org/winter There will be ice skating, snow shoeing, winter kubb, a firepit, music, and hot drinks. Snowshoe and skate rentals will be available during the special event only. The warming house and restrooms will be open and supervised.

Hundreds of people enjoy this unique social gathering each season. We hope you can join in on the family fun at Pinehurst this season!

Chippewa Youth Hockey Tournament Every Day from

Jan. 4 2019 to Jan. 6 2019; Every Day from Jan. 12 2019 to Jan. 13 2019 • Chippewa Area Ice Arena, 839 First Ave., Chippewa Falls • (715) 456-1778 • chippewahockey.org With two full sheets of ice, full concession stand, heated viewing area and more. See contact info for additional details or to learn how to register a team. Different age brackets compete during different

weekends. Check the online schedule for a complete list of who plays and when.

intended for older, but active, nature lovers. Registration required 2 days prior to event.

Flying Eagles Invitational 2019 Jan. 5 • Mt. Washing-

Introduction to Snowshoeing Jan. 12, 9:30-11:30am •

ton Ski Hill, Menomonie St and Mt. Washington Ave., Eau Claire • FREE to spectators • Find it on Facebook!

Come on out and enjoy the 87th Annual Flying Eagles Invitational at Mt. Washington. Watch the youth (ages 4-40) from around the Midwest as they compete in this ski jumping and cross country event at the home of the “school yard jump”.

Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • Friends $6; Nonmembers $9 • Age 8+ • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org Learn about the history of snowshoeing, the different styles, and how and where to use them. After a brief classroom time inside, you’ll take to the trails for a snowshoe hike. Registration and full payment required by 1/9.

Come and Slide With Us Every Saturday, Sunday from

Pinehurst Winter Safety Day Jan. 17, 6-8pm •

Jan. 5 2019 to Feb. 24 2019, 11am-4pm • Pinehurst Park, 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • FREE • All Ages • (715) 839-5032 • ci.eau-claire.wi.us Enjoy an afternoon of supervised sledding, accompanied with a roaring fire, music, and a cup of hot chocolate. For more information call Eau Claire Parks and Recreation.

Pinehurst Park, 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • FREE • All Ages • ci.eau-claire.wi.us This event emphasizes winter sports safety including proper headgear and equipment, rescue demonstrations, and other safety information. Features winter festivities like organized skating games, winter sports equipment showcase, free snacks and cocoa, and snowboarding, skiing, and skating events.

Hike or Snowshoe Eau Claire County Forest Trails

Jan. 6, 1-5pm • Lake Eau Claire County Park, Off County Hwy ND, Augusta • FREE • All Ages • (715) 379-3222 • sierraclub.org A forest excursion on snowshoes or hiking boots, depending on snow. Enjoy hot food and beverages in an old log hunting cabin. Meet at the Lake Eau Claire County Park entrance sign, on CTY HWY SD just east of HWY 27. Call Bev Stelljes in advance if you plan to come.

133rd Annual Silver Mine Invitational Every Day

from Jan. 18 2019 to Jan. 19 2019 • Silver Mine Ski Jump, 2900 Silvermine Dr., Eau Claire • $10 in advance; $15 at the door; 12 & under is FREE • flyingeaglesskiclub.org The 133rd Silver Mine Invitational is an exciting international ski jumping competition. Watch top skiers from the US, Norway, Finland, Slovenia, Canada & other countries. More information coming soon.

Snowshoe Hike for Experienced Explorers Jan. 10,

9:30-11:30am; Feb. 14, 9:30-11:30am • Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • Friends $3; Nonmembers $5 • Age 55+ • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org Instead of staring out the window wishing it were spring, join a Beaver Creek Naturalist for a snowshoe hike this winter. Explore the winter woods and get some exercise. This program is

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Frosty Frolic Jan. 19, 10am-4:30pm • Beaver Creek

Reserve, S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • Friends Adult $8, Kids $4 | Nonmembers $10, Kids $6 | Dogsledding $25 • All Ages • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve. org Frosty Frolic encompasses everything to love about winter: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dogsledding

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and more. Bring your own lunch or purchase a chili or soup lunch during the event. Dogsledding rides have sold out every year. It’s recommended to reserve a spot in advance.

Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe Jan. 19, 5-8pm

• Lake Wissota State Park, 18127 County Highway O, Chippewa Falls • dnr.wi.gov Gather at Lake Wissota State Park to ski, hike or snowshoe on beautiful candlelit trails. Campfires will be provided, but please bring your own provisions for hotdogs or s’more’s. Hot chocolate and hot cider will be available. Snowshoes will also be available to borrow with a suggested donation.

Annual Candlelight Ski and Hike at Red Cedar Jan.

25, 6-9pm • Riverside Park - Red Cedar Trail Depot, Hwy 29, Menomonie • dnr.wi.gov Cross-Country Ski the candlelit Red Cedar State Trail. Snowshoe the candlelit trail in Riverside Park. Hike the candlelit Junction City Trail. All activities tart at the Trail Depot. Enjoy free hot chocolate and a bonfire. Skies are required for the Red Cedar trail. Bring your own or rent from Stout Adventures. Bring your snowshoes, or use those available.

Timber Wolf Ecology Workshop Jan. 26, 9am-4pm;

Jan. 27, 9am-noon • Wise Nature Center, Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 Cty Rd. K, Fall Creek • $65-70 for registration, $13 for rustic lodging; Register by 1/18 • beavercreekreserve.org/naturecenter.htm The Timber Wolf Information Network (TWIN) members discuss wolf ecology, population biology, management issues and field study techniques including a winter tracking field trip into wolf territory. Bring your own Saturday lunch and beverage, and clothing and footwear for winter weather.

Jack Frost Fest Feb. 2, 11am-3pm • Near Tony’s

Riverside, on the Yellow River Flowage, Spooner • FREE • All Ages • (715) 635-2168 • spoonerchamber. org/pages/JackFrostFest/ Enjoy a winter day with family at the Jack Frost Festival held at Spooner City Park and Downtown Spooner. Frosty fun includes a Hockey Tournament, Fat Bike Demonstrations, Turkey Bowling, Rib & Chili Contest, Bonfires & S’mores Bar, Minnow Races and many other great family events.

Jig’s Up Blugold’s 6th Annual Ice Fishing Contest

Feb. 9, 7am-4pm • Prizes Awarded at the View on Lake Wissota, 17779 County Hwy X, Chippewa Falls • Each registers one fish per ticket; tickets are $25 with no limit on the number of tickets an individual can purchase.

Everyone who registers a fish may request two free Blugold Football Tickets at the weigh-in stations (value $16). • All Ages • (715) 836-3377 • jigsup.org Over $80,000 in cash and prizes including a 2-year lease on a 2019 Ford F150 Truck drawn from all registered Fish Tickets. Prizes awarded to the top 25 fish and every 5th place thereafter by weight to 300th place so even a small fish can win big. Prizes awarded 3pm.

2019 Menomonie Polar Plunge Feb. 9, noon-6pm •

Wakanda Park, Wakanda Park Rd. and Pine Ave. E, Menomonie • $75 • All Ages • (715) 833-0833 • polarplungewi.org Support Special Olympics Wisconsin and

athletes and jump into iced cold water to celebrate. Join hundreds as they put on wacky costumes, jump in a lake and earn prizes all while supporting Special Olympics WI athletes including those in Dunn County.

Eau Claire Figure Skating Competition Every Day

from Mar. 8 2019 to Mar. 9 2019 • Hobbs Ice Arena, 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire • FREE to attend, Entry deadline Jan. 31st • ecfigureskate.org/competition Individual events including long and short programs to music, spins , jumps, compulsory and artistic events are included. Scheduled events vary throughout each day.

Visit online for details.

Candlelight Snowshoe Hike Feb. 15, 6-7:30pm, 7:30-

9pm; Feb. 15, 6-7:30pm, 7:30-9pm • Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • Snowshoe rental: $3 per set | Admission fee: Friends $3, Nonmembers $5 • All Ages • (715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve. org Candles and moonlight will illuminate the way as you explore the trails on snowshoes. A warm campfire awaits you as you finish the trail. Snowshoes will be available to rent, but rental equipment is limited and may sell out. Registration/payment due by February 13.

Shamrock Shuffle 5k Mar. 16, 8am-noon • UWEC

McPhee Strength & Performance Center, 509 University Drive, Eau Claire • All Ages • (715) 836-3377 • uwec.edu This 5k+ fun run/walk is hosted and sponsored by UW-Eau Claire’s University Recreation and Sport Operations department. The route starts on UW-Eau Claire’s upper campus, down the infamous Garfield Avenue hill, over the scenic university footbridge and follows the river up the beautiful Chippewa Valley River trail.

Chetek Winter Fest Feb. 23 • Lake Chetek, Lakeview

Drive, Chetek • All Ages • chetekwinterfest.org Pancake breakfast, beer tent, bikini run, fun run, sleds, ATVs, motorcycles, NSSR sanctioned radar runs,

2019 Eau Claire Polar Plunge Feb. 24, noon-6pm •

Half Moon Beach, 615 Randall Street, Eau Claire • $75 • All Ages • (715) 833-0833 • polarplungewi.org Support Special Olympics Wisconsin and athletes and jump into iced cold water to celebrate. Join hundreds as they put on wacky costumes, jump in a lake and earn prizes all while supporting Special Olympics WI athletes including those in Eau Claire County.

SNOWSHOEING AREAS Beaver Creek Reserve S1 Cty Hwy K, Fall Creek •

(715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org A few minutes in your car and you can spend an entire afternoon in the quiet beauty of the woods. Beaver Creek Reserve has a number of wooded, groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Rental equipment is available there, as well.

Blue Hills Between Rusk County and Rice Lake, Bruce

• (715) 532-6595 and (800) 535-RUSK If you don’t mind a short drive (about an hour and a half from Eau Claire), check out the Blue Hills winter sports area, named for the blue-tinted forested hillsides when seen through the mist. There are tons of super sweet trails to choose from, for either ski skating or traditional cross-country skiing. Make it into a day trip or spend an entire weekend there.

Brunet Island State Park 23125 255th St., Cornell •

(715) 239-6888 • dnr.wi.gov There are more than eight miles of hiking trail in this state park, and they are perfect for showshoers in the winter. In addition, there are 4.3 miles of trail groom for classic-style cross-country

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skiing only. Park admission sticker required.

Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area 13394

County Highway M, New Auburn • (715) 967-2800 • dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/chipmoraine/ While not groomed, they are open to snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Three self-guided trails beginning at the interpretive center will give you a look at kettle lakes, hummocks, and other glacial features. Vehicle admission stickers are required.

Guettinger Woods & Wildlife Area Sandberg Road off

Highway 37, Eau Claire • (715) 839-4783 • This littleknown Eau Claire County Park has been called a “hidden gem.” You’ll find it about seven miles southwest of Eau Claire in the town of Brunswick. The 123 acres are open for snowshoeing, hiking, and wildlife watching, although there are no groomed trails.

Hickory Ridge Trail 225th Ave. (Bob Lake Rd.),

Bloomer • A 5K multiuse snowshoe and mountain-bike trail circles what is dubbed the “Great Swamp,” offering great views of scenery and wildlife. The Friends of Hickory Ridge also groom 27 kilometers (about 17 miles) of cross-country ski trails for both traditional and skating-style skiers. No dogs allowed.

Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area - Winter 730th

Ave., Colfax • (715) 232-1242 • http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ parks/name/hoffmanhills/ Don’t overlook the 707 acres of preserved and restored wooded hills, wetlands, and prairie, scribbled with cross-country ski trails for all levels. Glide through the snow while feasting your eyes on spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Vehicle admission stickers aren’t required, but all skiers over 16 years of age must have a state trail pass.

Lake Wissota State Park 18127 County Highway O, Chippewa Falls • (715) 382-4574 • dnr.wi.gov/topic/ parks/name/lakewissota/ The 1,000-acre state park on the shore of Lake Wissota includes 10 miles of snowshoeing trails.

Lowes Creek County Park S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau

Roosevelt Elementary Playground 908 Folsom St.,

Eau Claire • 4.5 Acres. Basketball hoops, hockey rink (boarded), ice skating, parking lot, play equipment, recreational field area, shelter, soccer and toilet facilities.

Claire • (715) 839-4738 • co.eau-claire.wi.us Just minutes south of Eau Claire, experience 250 acres of cross-country ski, snowshoe, and pet walking bliss. The two-way trail system separates skiers from snowshoers, and has many loops and shortcuts giving you a wide selection of route variety. Trails twist up and down hills, through creek bottoms and white pine forests, and range from easy to difficult, so a trail map is a good idea for those new to the park.

Sam Davey Park 3001 Mercury Ave., Eau Claire • Mon.-Fri. 4-9pm, Sat.-Sun. 1-6pm.

Wakanda Elementary 1801 Wakanda St., Menomonie • No lights or warming house.

Tower Ridge 955 S82 Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 839-

4738 • co.eau-claire.wi.us Don’t let the mounds of snow keep you from exercising; Tower Ridge is a great place to enjoy the snow and workout. There are hilly and flat groomed trails for all levels. There are about 3 kilometers of lighted trails and a warming shelter that allows for night outings, a nice precursor to a warm fire.

DOWNHILL SKIING Afton Alps 6600 Peller Ave. S., Hastings • (651) 436-

5245 • aftonalps.com With nearly 300 skiable acres, 50 trails, 18 lifts and four terrain parks, there is enough terrain to challenge experts to beginners, day or night.

Two tricky terrain parks, tubing, tow ropes and chairlifts galore, all types of rentals, a ski shop, two chalets, two restaurant/bars, and instruction available.

ICE RINKS

Cascade Mountain W10441 Cascade Mountain Rd.,

Altoona Hobbs Sport Center 2300 Spooner Ave.,

Portage • (608) 742-5588 • cascademountain.com They have 41 runs, the longest being a full mile, and a vertical drop of 460 feet. Six terrain parks will keep anybody occupied, while they have tubing for less intense riders. Towropes and chairlifts, rentals, a ski shop, chalet/restaurant/coffeehouse, and lessons available.

Altoona • altoonahockey.com Open skate times vary based on hockey leagues. Check website for times.

Bloomer Skating Rink 1304 Grove St., Bloomer • (715) 568-5452 • ci.bloomer.wi.us/winter.html See contact info for details.

Christie Mountain W13755 County Hwy. O, Bruce

Boyd Park 1202 Fairway St., Eau Claire • eauclairewi.

• (715) 868-7800 • christiemountain.com Twentytwo lighted runs up to 4,000 feet long, with a 350-foot vertical drop with one double chairlift, one t-bar and three rope tows, tubing runs, towropes and chairlifts, rental gear, chalet, and instructions available.

gov Boyd Park provides access to the Eau Claire River. People can partake in some shoreline fishing.

There is also a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river granting access to city recreational trails on either side of the river. During the winter season enjoy a great outdoor rink with hockey nets and a useful warming house. Open 4-8pm during the week, and 1-9pm on weekends. Basketball hoops, fishing, hockey rink (snowbanked), skating rink, nature trails, parking lot, picnic area, picnic shelter, play equipment, recreational field area, scenic views, shelter house, soccer, toilet facilities and prairie area. 7.2 Acres.

Coffee Mill Ski & Snowboard Resort 99 Coulee Way,

Wabasha • (651) 565-2777 • coffeemillski.com From the gentle slopes of Chippewa to the radical pitch of O’Chute, each run is obscured from the next by an abundant growth of birch, oaks, and pines. Modern snowmaking and daily grooming insure great snow throughout the season. A sweet snowboarding terrain park, towropes and chairlifts, rentals, a chalet, cafeteria, snowmaking, and instruction available.

Chippewa Area Ice Arena 839 1st Ave., Chippewa

Falls • (715) 723-1612 • chippewahockey.org Sundays 6-8pm show up at the South Rink (second set of doors) for Open Skate. During this time, hockey players, figure skaters, community members, and those interested in learning how to skate, are invited to get on the ice.

Admission is free and skate are available for rent for $3.

Granite Peak 3605 N. Mountain Rd., Wausau • (715)

845-2846 • info@skigranitepeak.com • skigranitepeak. com A massive place with 74 runs up to 1.5 miles in length and an awesome vertical drop of around 700 feet. They also have tubing, tons of rentals, a ski shop, chalet, lodging, restaurants, snowmaking, and instruction.

Demmler Park 524 Putman Dr., Eau Claire • ci.eau-

claire.wi.us 4 Acres. Basketball hoops, garden plot (community garden), hockey rink (snowbanked), play equipment, recreational field area, shelter house, and toilet facilities.

Lutsen Mountains 467 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen • (218) 663-7281 • lutsen.com

Mount Bohemia 6532 Gay Lac La Belle Rd, Mohawk •

Dunn County Recreation Park 620 17th St.,

(906) 289-4105 • mtbohemia.com

Menomonie • menomonie-wi.gov Open all day.

Owned, operated, and maintained by Dunn County.

Mt. LaCrosse Ski and Snowboard N5549 Old Town

Rd., La Crosse • (608) 788-0044 and (800) 426-3665 • info@mtlacrosse.com • mtlacrosse.com Offers 18 slopes and trails that are serviced by four chair lifts and one tow rope. They also have a convenient chalet, rental and repair, food and a bar, and a 516 foot vertical drop.

Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center 3456 Craig Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 552-1200 • ecsportscenter.com Offers a variety of indoor sports activities including batting cages and leagues. Also has pucks and nets to use for free during open gym times. Not on ice. Call ahead to find out open gym times as they vary day to day.

Spirit Mountain 9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth • (800) 642-6377 • spiritmt.com

Geno’s Slice & Ice 5110 Fairview Dr., Eau Claire •

(715) 835-2000 • eauclairesbestpizza.com Known as a favorite eating-place for locals and tourists alike, bring the entire family for dining while enjoying their hockey rink (on artificial ice) and arcade. Bring your own skates. Closed on Sundays.

Trollhaugen Ski Area 2232 100th Ave., Dresser •

800-826-7166, (715) 755-2955, or (651) 433-5141 • trollhaugen.com Featuring 23-24 runs with tubing, towropes and chairlifts, rentals, a ski shop, chalet, restaurant, snowmaking, and instruction available. The longest run is 2,500 feet with a vertical drop of 286 feet.

Hobbs Ice Arena 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire •

(715) 839-5040 • Learn more online HERE In addition to a ton of leagues, Hobbs offers youth open hockey clinics on Wednesday evenings. Open skate times are Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Rentals available.

There is an admission fee.

Wild Mountain 37200 Wild Mountain Rd., Taylors Falls • (651) 465-6315 • wildmountain.com

SLEDDING HILLS

Mitscher Park Corner of Mitscher Ave. & Sharon Dr.,

Chippewa Fairgrounds Chippewa Falls • They may

Eau Claire • (715) 839-5032 • ci.eau-claire.wi.us See contact info for details.

no longer be serving cheese curds and cotton candy, but the rides are not completely gone when the carnival leaves town. The walk-in entrance to the grounds across from Irvine Park provides a perfect path to safely walk to the top of a rather steep hill. Low person-on-tree collision rates have kept local kids sliding there for years.

But look out, because they still like to build a jump or two at the bottom.

Oak Park Circle Oak Park Circle, Menomonie • Open all day. No lights or warming house.

Pinehurst Park 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire •

eauclairewi.gov 5.5 Acres. Hockey rink (boarded), ice skating, nature trails, parking lot, recreational field, scenic views, shelter, BMX bike park/pump track, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, sledding/tubing hill, and toilet facilities.

Drainage Ditch Run Wolske Bay Rd. 724,

Menomonie • It’s a crazy drainage ditch on the southeastern side of Lake Menomonie that leads out onto the lake. It might be a lot of fun, but definitively watch out for the lake ice.

Putnam Heights Elementary Playground 633 W.

Macarthur Ave, Eau Claire • (715) 852-4200 • putnamheights.ecasd.k12.wi.us 13.4 Acres. Basketball hoops, hockey rink (boarded), ice skating, nature trails, parking lot, play equipment, recreational field area, shelter, soccer, toilet facilities and handicap play equipment

Dunn County Snow Park 620 17th St SE, Menomonie

• On the east side of the fairgrounds, there’s a hill that the water tower sits on, ominously looming over the site. Volunteers have recently spend a lot of time clearing brush, stumps, and debris from the hill, then setting up erosion precautions to create a low maintenance yet fun place for local snow goers. Like any hill, it’s still “ride at your own risk.”

River Heights Elementary School 615 24th Ave.,

Menomonie • menomonie-wi.gov A large open play area is located between the school and an adjacent residential neighborhood. The ice rink is maintained by the city in the winter. No lights or warming house.

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Hillside Dental

Flag Hill Bridgewater Avenue, Chippewa Falls • (715)

723-0051 • chippewafalls-wi.gov Irvine Park has provided a ton of fun opportunities for people of the Chippewa Valley, but many do not realize the awesome potential for its sledding hills. Venture to Flag Hill once we have gotten a decent amount of snow, and then walk to the edge of the hill in between the parking lot and the Rutledge manor. There is a wicked hill waiting, but it might take a few runs to pack the high grass/snow down before it’s super fast.

The Flats Hill Chippewa Falls • Look to the left going

down Pumphouse Road hill, descending from the East Hill of Chippewa Falls, and you’ll find winter bliss waiting. A hill for all ages and skill levels, this place is wide open, with little to no risk of hitting any trees. Be careful of your speed, though, because legends of the hill have been known to clear the train tracks with one epic run.

Forest Hill aka “Seven Bumps” aka “Dead Man’s Hill” 822 Emery Street, Eau Claire • Right next to the

Forrest Hill Cemetery (on Huebsch Boulevard) on the East Side Hill, the slope is small and gentle with no major obstacles (just the thing for weak-hearted novices). In recent years, its easy accessibility has made it a favorite among area snowboarders, but don’t be intimidated by them. If there is an altercation over a collision, they will have a hard time chasing you with their feet strapped to those boards.

Mount Simon 100 Addison Ave., Eau Claire • 49-acre

park located on Dell’s Pond with access off either Madison Street or Birch Street. This park offers a boat landing and dock, 2 picnic pavilions, 2 lighted sand volleyball courts, and an 9-hole disc golf course. Mt. Simon Park is also home to Eau Claire’s Babe Ruth Baseball program.

Oakwood Hills 4433 Oakwood Hills Pkwy, Eau

Claire • 9.9 Acres. Basketball hoop, parking lot, play equipment, recreational field, shelter, sliding hill, toilet facilities, and grass volleyball court.

Pinehurst Hill 3523 Delbert Road, Eau Claire • eau-

clairewi.gov On Eau Claire’s north side, the behemoth Pinehurst Hill stands as the mother of all sledding hills.

This formidable giant was a downhill ski run with a towrope throughout the early 70s. Be careful: if you

don’t brake or turn, you’ll end up in a parking lot. Try not to hit anyone climbing up the hill, and pay attention so you don’t get hit yourself.

Carson Park 101 Carson Park Dr, Eau Claire • (715)

839-5039 • enjoyeauclaire.com/carson-park.html One of the more historical parks in the Upper Midwest. Carson Park in Eau Claire contains three major attractions, the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp, the Chippewa Valley Museum, along with Eau Claire’s baseball stadium.

The Eau Claire Express became the newest tenant of Carson Park in 2005. During the winter season Carson Park offers cross-country skiing with several shorter, groomed trails perfect for beginners looking to stay away from steep grades.

UWEC Campus Hill Eau Claire • Feeling adventurous,

or maybe like getting flat out arrested? It has long been rumored that the most exciting hill in Eau Claire is also one of the most rare. With the perfect conditions, “The Hill” shooting down from upper campus gets covered with freezing rain then snow and becomes completely impassible. Mach 2 is potentially capable, but make sure to dodge the gate at the bottom … and the cops.

City Wells Area Riverview Dr., Eau Claire • (715)

839-5032 • Located on the east side of Riverview Dr..

About 3 miles of flat trails across from Riverview Park.

A good course for beginners.

X-Hill 3800 Starr Ave., Eau Claire • Just across the road from the Eau Claire airport’s runways, it’s a real treat when jets fly overhead, close enough that you can feel your chest rattle. A crisscross hill unofficially called the “X-Hill,” you can start at one of two steep, twin trajectories that cross each other at a wicked intersection before going off in any number of directions. This is never the same ride twice and the risk for some intense crashes is high. So if you are on the hill, consider yourself forewarned and therefore, fair game.

Coon Fork Ski Trail County Highway CF, Augusta •

(715) 839-4783 • eauclaire-info.com Located on Coon Fork Lake County Park, this trail is most suitable for beginner to imtermediate skiers, and offers level areas and rolling hills. It has a total length of 3.2 miles. Only diagonal striding is available as the trails are not wide enough to groom for skate skiing.

Fairfax Park 4200 Fairfax St., Eau Claire • (715)

839-1680 • Fairfax Park is a 75-acre park located on the south side of Eau Claire, with accommodations including a baseball field, two Little League fields and walking trails. It can be accessed from either Golf Road or Fairfax Street. And, being the only park not connected to a body of water, it is equipped with an outdoor pool. The pool season begins June 2 and the cost is $3.25 per person.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Beaver Creek Reserve S1 Cty Hwy K, Fall Creek •

(715) 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org A few minutes in your car and you can spend an entire afternoon in the quiet beauty of the woods. Beaver Creek Reserve has a number of wooded, groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Rental equipment is available there, as well.

Hickory Ridge - Cross Country Skiing Bob Lake

Road/225th Ave., Chippewa Falls • (715) 726-7880 • co.chippewa.wi.us This cross-country ski trail winds 14.2 kilometers through the quiet and scenic northern hardwood forest. There are three challenging loops with lots of hills and steep grades. Entire trail is groomed from both classical and skating style skiers.

Blue Hills Between Rusk County and Rice Lake, Bruce

• (715) 532-6595 and (800) 535-RUSK If you don’t mind a short drive (about an hour and a half from Eau Claire), check out the Blue Hills winter sports area, named for the blue-tinted forested hillsides when seen through the mist. There are tons of super sweet trails to choose from, for either ski skating or traditional cross-country skiing. Make it into a day trip or spend an entire weekend there.

WINTER FUN 2018

Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area - Winter 730th

Ave., Colfax • (715) 232-1242 • http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ parks/name/hoffmanhills/ Don’t overlook the 707 acres of preserved and restored wooded hills, wetlands, and prairie, scribbled with cross-country ski trails for all levels. Glide through the snow while feasting your eyes

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on spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Vehicle admission stickers aren’t required, but all skiers over 16 years of age must have a state trail pass.

Irvine Park Trail Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls •

(715) 723-0051 • chippewafalls-wi.gov Easy difficulty.

Woods trails above the zoo area double as ski trails.

Loop back down and visit the zoo afterwards. Trails also go past Glen Loch Lake.

Trails can also be accessed from small parking lot on Cty Rd S or on the parking lot above the zoo off ErmaTinger Drive.

Lake Wissota State Park 18127 County Hwy 0,

Chippewa Falls • (715) 382-4574 • dnr.wi.gov Several trail options go through woods, meadows, lowlands, marshes, and Lake Wissota’s shoreline. Many double as ski trails. Bikes are permitted on all but 3 trails. Onemile Beaver Meadow nature trail loop for families with small children. Scenic lake trail is also a highlight. Daily and annual state park vehicle admission passes vary in price. Located on the northeast section of Lake Wissota.

Lowes Creek County Park S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau

Claire • (715) 839-4738 • co.eau-claire.wi.us Just minutes south of Eau Claire, experience 250 acres of cross-country ski, snowshoe, and pet walking bliss. The two-way trail system separates skiers from snowshoers, and has many loops and shortcuts giving you a wide selection of route variety. Trails twist up and down hills, through creek bottoms and white pine forests, and range from easy to difficult, so a trail map is a good idea for those new to the park.

River Road Cross Country Ski Trail about 2.5 miles

north of Cornell • (715) 726-7920 • Enjoy two separate trails for intermediate and advanced skiers through rolling terrain and along the more-gentle grade of the River Road to the parking area.

Tower Ridge - Cross Country Skiing 955 S82 Ave.,

Eau Claire • (715) 839-4738 • co.eau-claire.wi.us This popular cross-country ski site is the largest 12 miles of groomed trails in west central Wisconsin, and has both hilly and flat areas. Trails snake through wooded, rolling terrain and offer fun to all skill levels. In addition to the cross country trails, this park offers a shorter snowshoe trail that runs adjacent to the lighted portion of the ski trail.

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