Conscious Choice: Silent Sports Resources

December 2004 | Cover Story

Silent Sports Resources

by Bob McCray

State tourism bureaus, local forest preserves and park districts, and outdoors clubs typically offer good resources for silent sport destinations, instruction and rentals. The following contacts will help you get and stay active this winter.

The Wisconsin State Tourism Bureau (800-432-8747) offers information on cross-country areas, equipment rentals, lessons, trail mileage, difficulty levels and contacts. For more, visit www.dnr.state.wi.us.

Lapham Peak in Kettle Moraine State Forest near Delafield, Wis., is a popular area. It features groomed ski trails, rentals, instruction and also lighted night skiing (www.wiparks.net). The 2004 state park vehicle fee for non-residents is $10 per day and $4 per day for use of the ski trail for visitors ages 16 and over. Contact 262-646-3025 to learn more.

The Scuppernong Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest — Southern Unit near Eagle, Wis., is another popular spot. Contact www.wiparks.net or 262-594-6200 for more information on this Southern Unit featuring three trail systems color-coded and groomed to varying difficulties. The state park vehicle and trail fee is required. Equipment rentals are available at the Backyard Bike shop, Highway 12 and County H with the LaGrange General Store and will cost you $15 for classic skis, boots and poles, and $20 for skate skis. Their number is 262-495-8600 and their website is www.backyardbikes.com.

Popular ski areas can get very crowded during peak times so we’ve found the latest Wisconsin snow conditions to help you get an idea of whether its worth heading out. Check out the Madison Nordic Ski Club website at www.madnorski.org to check on the powder. For cross-country skiing at Illinois state parks check the links on www.dnr.state.il.us. For cross-country ski trail maps in Cook County look no further than the Cook County Forest Preserves’ website at www.fpdcc.com.

Moraine Hills State Park, 1510 S. River Road, McHenry, Ill., offers approximately 11 miles of trails. They also have rowboat rentals for $18 a day and $10 for a half day. Call 815-385-1624 or visit www.dnr.state.il.us to find out more.

The Chicago Park District (312-742-7529 and www.chicagoparkdistrict.org) keeps their golf courses open for the winter. This makes for great cross-country skiing opportunities, although there are no groomed trails, equipment rentals or instruction available.

The Northbrook Park District offers cross-country skiing at Sportsman’s Country Club when there is a six- to eight-inch base. All-day rentals of skis, boots, and poles are $6 for children and $9 adults. They’re open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For questions, call 847-291-2351, extension 3 or visit www.nbparks.org.

The Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton, Ill., offers groomed trails and lessons for $10. Equipment rentals available: skis-$5, boots-$5, poles-$3 or a two-hour complete equipment package costs $10 for adults and $7 for children. Call 630-653-5800 or visit www.wheatonparkdistrict.com to learn more.

The Sierra Club offers cross-country skiing outings. Their website (www.Illinois.sierraclub.org) lists area Sierra Club groups’ links, which specify a variety of year-round outings including ski trips, dry-land and on-snow ski clinics.

Paddling Resources

For a list of Illinois paddling clubs check with the Illinois Paddling Council (www.Illinoispaddling.org).

The Chicago Area Sea Kayaking Association‘s website (www.caska.org) also gives information on day trips and links to many other paddling resources.

Prairie State Canoeists hold weekend paddling trips year round. The club members receive a newsletter complete with trip reports and other information. Many trips are one day long, but some are weeklong trips. Check them out at www.prairiestatecanoeists.org.

Northwest Passage, an outfitter of outdoor wear, 1130 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette, Ill., offers paddling instruction and trips. Call them at 800-732-7328 and check them out on the web at www.nwpassage.com.

To learn more about the amazing New Year’s paddle trip on the North Branch of the Chicago River, contact the Chi-cagoland Canoe Base, www.chicagolandcanoebase.com or 773-777-1489.

For an extensive calendar of Midwest events, clinics, destinations and articles, take a look at Silent Sports magazine on the Internet (www.silentsports.net).

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