Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area
8704 Red Bud Road, Wausau, WI 54401
715.693.3001
Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Trails

The Nine Mile Trail System located in Central Wisconsin just minutes from Wausau is one of the top cross-country skiing facilities in Wisconsin.  The 18.3 mile (29.6km) trail system is double tracked with an 8' wide skating lane; Trail difficulty ranges from beginner to difficult making this trail system attractive to all skiing abilities. Trails are generally one-way.  The ski chalet offers a changing area, ski and snowshoe equipment rentals, daily and annual trail passes, restrooms, and a spacious warming area with a wood stove.  There are 3.9 miles (6.3km) of ski trails lighted and programmed to go on at dusk until 9 pm daily during the ski season.  There are also 4.1 miles (7.5km) of groomed snowshoe trails throughout the forest. 

Family Night at Nine Mile:  New this year, on Saturday evenings in January from 5-9 p.m. families can ski for $20.  Rental equipment is not included and would be an additional fee.

Directions:
From Wausau take I-39/US 51 south to CTH N, west on CTH N 3-½ miles to Red Bud Road, south on Red Bud Road 1-½ miles to the chalet parking lot on the right.
 

Update April 11, 2013:  The chalet is closed for the season.  Staff will not be grooming the trails any more this season even if significant snowfall is received this week.  Thank you for a great season!

Many skiers post feedback from their recent skiing experiences they've had on the Nine Mile cross-country ski trail system at Skinnyski.com website.

Sylvan Hill Park Cross Country Ski Conditions

Daily and season ski passes may be purchased at the Chalet during the course of the season.  If you have any questions, please contact us at 715-261-1550 or visit our website at www.co.marathon.wi.us/parks.asp.

For an up-to-date report on trail conditions, please monitor the 24-hour trail hotline and visitor information at 1-888-575-7669.  Please remember that trail reports are not updated every day, only when there are significant trail or condition changes.
 

                             
View Larger Map

 

General Information:

• Almost four miles (6.3 km) of trails are lighted from dusk until 9 p.m.  The lights are located along trail segments B, E, M, N, O, R, X and E.
• The chalet is open until 7 p.m. on Mondays, and until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights.
•  A new 7.5k snowshoe trail is available to the public.
• During the season, the ski chalet is open for ski rentals, daily and season ski passes and a warming area. There is not a food service concession at the Chalet.
• Daily or annual trail pass required.
• Trails are groomed several times a week throughout the season and after each snow event.
• The ski trails never close because of cold weather. Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area trails are open even if the chalet is closed.
• No credit or debit cards are accepted at the chalet; Cash or check only accepted.

For continued updates and trail conditions, please monitor the 24-hour ski hotline and visitor information at 1-888-948-4748, or locally at 715.355.8788.

Visit your local cross country ski club website at Wausau Nordic Ski Club and find out how to join this active volunteer based organization today!

2012-2013 Nordic Ski Club Calendar of Events

                                                       
 

SNOWSHOE TRAIL GENERAL INFORMATION
A 4.7 mile (7.5km) groomed showshoe trail is available to the public with the purchase of a daily or annual snowshoe trail pass, or annual cross country ski pass if you are also a skier.
Nine Mile Snowshoe Trails Map (124kb PDF)

There is also a 1.2 km snowshoe trail at Sylvan Hill Park.  There is no charge to utilize trail although donations are appreciated.
Sylvan Snowshoe and XC Ski Trail Map (2 kb PDF)

Showshoeing is also allowed at no charge throughout the woods, off the marked snowshoe route in all county forests and parks.
 

NINE MILE RECREATION EQUIPMENT
RENTAL FEES FOR 2012-2013

No Credit Cards are accepted at the ski chalet; Cash or check only accepted.

Family Night at Nine Mile:  New this year, on Saturday evenings in January from 5-9 p.m. families can ski for $20.  Rental equipment is not included and would be an additional fee.

The maintenance and operation of the Cross Country Ski Trails is not supported by tax dollars. Funding is provided by donations and trail fees.

All the trails are groomed by the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department.

Season passes are good on all trails. A Daily Trail Fee is required only at Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area trails; the other trails are voluntary donation only.
 

The 2012-2013 Season Passes are available at the Park Office, 212 River Drive, Suite #2, Wausau.  Season passes will be sold at the Nordic Ski Club, Ski Swap, East Gate Hall, Marathon Park, November 3, 2012;  Drop off items for sale Fri. 6 ‐ 8 PM or Sat. 7:30 ‐ 10 AM; Show 11 am to 4 pm; Pickup 5 - 6 pm.  During the regular season passes are available for purchase at the Nine Mile Ski Chalet - Rib Mountain.

Let It Snow! (103 kb pdf)

To order by U.S. Mail, print the Order Form (PDF 18KB) and send in with your payment.  Upon receipt, seasonal passes will be mailed to you. 

**     Any two consecutive days
***   Must have college I.D. card to be eligible for college student rate.
**** Rental equipment not included

--Children 11 years of age and younger ski free everyday!
--Seniors (60+) ski for only $7 on Wednesdays.

Group Discounts: Groups of 10 or more adults will receive $1.00 off each paid full day admission. School Groups admission for a pass only is $2.00 per student.  School groups admission for a pass and equipment rental is $7.00 per student.

                                                                           

Big Eau Pleine Park Trails:
Update March 14, 2013:  This trail system is open for the season.

• There are 15k of trails in Big Eau Pleine Park.
• These trails are no longer groomed.
• No trail pass is required.

Difficulty:  Beginner to Intermediate.
Directions:  From Wausau take I-39/US 51 south 12 miles to STH 153, west on STH 153 8 miles to Eau Pleine Park Road, south on Eau Pleine Park Road 3 ½ miles to park entrance.

Sylvan Hill Park Trails:
Update March 14, 2013:  This trail system is open for cross-country skiing.  Trails have been groomed for skate skiing and single tracks have been set.  Trails are in excellent condition with a 6" hard-packed base.

During the season, this 2.1 km trail system throughout Sylvan Hill Park is groomed once a week with a single track and a skating lane.  No trail pass is required.  A minimum $3 adult/$1.50 child donation is encouraged at the trailhead.  There is also a 1.2 km snowshoe trail at Sylvan Hill Park.  Sylvan Snowshoe and XC Trail Map.

Difficulty:  Beginner to Intermediate.
Directions:  In Wausau take I-39/US 51 north to Bridge Street, right on Bridge Street to 6th Street (not 6th Avenue), north on 6th Street to Horseshoe Spring Rd, right on Horseshoe Spring Rd, right on Sylvan Street to park entrance.

Ringle Trails:
Update March 14, 2013:  This trail system is open for the season.  These trails are not groomed.  No trail pass is required.

Difficulty:  Beginner.
Directions:  From Wausau take STH 29 east to north on CTH Q in Ringle to east on Poplar Lane 1.2 miles to parking on the right.

Other Popular Links:

• Granite Peak Ski Area
• Granite Peak Ski Team
• Rib Mountain Ski Club