Frederic’s Trade River Ski Trail Is Open

POLK COUNTY -- The snow that recently arrived has set the stage for a great Nordic skiing season in Western Wisconsin.

The early January snowfall has provided enough base to open the Trade River Ski Trail just south of Frederic.

There is plenty of coverage, no bare spots, but still a good idea to use your “B” skis until the base gets built up with the next snow events. There are a few pine needles and windblown oak leaves still showing.

The trail was mowed late last fall, and the snow base is being built up over well frozen ground.

Volunteers from the Viking Ski Club were rested and ready when the snow was deep enough to start grooming and setting tracks.

The Trade River Ski Trail, one and a half miles south of Frederic on 150th Ave, has grown to about 12 kilometers, and is groomed for classic and skate skiing. The parking area is shared with the National Scenic Ige Age Trail.

Grooming is done by local volunteers, and a donation box is provided. There is no charge to ski or park, but donations are appreciated to help with the cost of grooming and maintaining the trails. Volunteers put in many hours during the year to clear brush, mow, grub out exposed roots and rocks from the trails, plus the winter grooming to maintain a smooth and safe skiing surface that needs to be redone often to compact new snow, and remove wear patterns from skiers.

For more information on our local cross-country trails, call 800-222-POLK or visit here. For information on area or regional cross-county skiing trails, events, and the latest trail conditions, visit here.