Skiing & Snowboarding

Granite Peak Ski Area at Rib Mountain State Park offers some of the BEST skiing in the Midwest, quickly becoming Wisconsin’s premier ski destination. The tallest vertical drop in Wisconsin (700+ feet), Granite Peak has the ability to make snow early and keep it late with superior snowmaking equipment.

With the recent improvements at Granite Peak, it’s getting harder to make a distinction between skiing out West and skiing close to home.  Granite Peak has the terrain variety, the long runs and the reliable snow that you’d expect to find only after spending a few hours in an airplane.  Luckily, it’s close to home, and easy to reach with a short drive on well-maintained interstate highways – no airport hassles, no rental car, no long travel day... just great skiing.

For equipment rentals, visit Granite Peak Ski Area or Shepherd & Schaller in downtown Wausau.

Visit this winter and see why the Wausau area is The BEST Place to Play in the Snow!

Cross-Country Skiing

Choose from four courses that accommodate all levels of expertise. Beginners will enjoy classical skiing across gently rolling terrain on the Ringle Trail.  The Sylvan Hill Trail has a popular in-town location and is serviced by the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.  Intermediate skiers will enjoy the remote Big Eau Pleine Park Trail, a scenic trail along the Eau Pleine Reservoir, featuring rolling and wooded terrain.  The best facility in the area is at the Nine Mile County Forest and Recreation Area, offering 33 km of trails to choose from and even lighted trails so you can ski at night.  Visit www.co.marathon.wi.us or call 888-575-SNOW (7669) for updated snow conditions and other trail information.

Park Name Nine Mile country Forest Recreation Area Big Eau Pleine Park Sylvan Hill Ringle Marsh
Difficulty Beginner to Expert Beginner to Intermediate Beginner to Intermediate Beginner
Length 20 Miles (33km) 7 Miles (11km) 1.3 Miles (2.1km) 3.4 Miles (5.5km)
Grooming Frequently groomed 8' wide skating lane and machine set double tracks Not groomed Regularly machine groomed for single track and skating lane Not groomed
Location Exit 183 from 1-39/US-51.
West on CTH N, 3.4 miles to Red Bud Rd.
Exit 179 from I-39/US-51.
West on STH 153, 7.5 miles South on Big Eau Pleine Rd.
N. Sixth Street (CTH W) on Wausau's east side to Horseshow Spring Road. Turn right on Sylvan Street STH 29 east of Wausau. North on HWY O, east on Poplar Lane 1.2 miles
Hours Mon 9am-7pm*
Tue-Thu 9am-9pm
Fri 9am-5pm
Sat 8am-9pm
Sun 8am-5pm*
*6pm after 1st weekend in February
Sunrise to Sunset Sunrise to Sunset Sunrise to Sunset
Costs Fee Donation Donation Donation

For more trails view the listings below.

Agriculture

Agriculture has a prominent role in the Wausau area, and a number of our attractions and activities…

Boating

Set in the Wisconsin River Valley, the Wausau area has great water recreation.

Pools & Waterparks

The Wausau area has a variety of indoor and outdoor swimming options for year round entertainment!

Golf & Disc Golf

Golfing in the Wausau area is convenient, affordable and offers spectacular scenery.

Tennis & Pickleball

There are a number of tennis facilities throughout the Wausau area.  From courts located…

Tubing & Sledding

Sylvan Hill Park is home to the longest tubing hill in the state at 1,200 feet.  It offers six…

Snowmobiling

As the largest county in Wisconsin, Marathon County boasts 880 miles of snowmobile trails and 29…

Horseback Riding

Horseback rides, sleigh rides, and hayrides are perfect times to spend with family and…

Skateboarding

Area skate parks have plenty of room and lots of great obstacles to challenge your skills.