What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
The crisp crack of ski poles and the rhythmic swoosh of waxed skis cutting through fresh snow filled Minocqua Winter Park this week as high school Nordic skiers from across the Northwoods gathered for something the park hadn’t hosted in over fifteen years. The Northern Conference championships brought teams from Lakeland Union, Rhinelander, Spooner, Hayward, and beyond to compete on what many consider Wisconsin’s premier cross-country skiing terrain — and the timing couldn’t be more perfect for a park that’s been quietly building its reputation as a winter sports destination for more than four decades.
“It cements us as a ski town,” said Ken Schoville, a member of the race jury and Winter Park board. For anyone who’s watched the Northwoods identity evolve from summer lake culture to year-round outdoor recreation, that statement rings especially true. This wasn’t just another race — it was a homecoming of sorts, a recognition that Minocqua has earned its place alongside traditional Nordic strongholds like Cable.
Tuesday’s conference championships kicked off at 1 p.m. under conditions that tested even seasoned skiers. Cold temperatures and wind-blown tracks created challenging terrain, but that’s February skiing in the Northwoods — you embrace what Mother Nature serves up. The race format featured staggered starts with skiers launching at 30-second intervals, a setup that gives each athlete space to focus on technique and pacing without getting caught in traffic on the trails.
Lakeland Union’s Colin McKinney, a five-year veteran of the sport, captured second place individually despite the tough conditions. “It’s a little cold,” he admitted with the understated practicality every Northwoods athlete develops. “I mean, the tracks are a little blown in from all the wind, but it was fun.” That ability to find joy in the challenge — that’s the spirit that defines Nordic skiing up here.
Computer timing tracked every skier’s performance, sorting results for both team and individual standings with precision. When the final results posted, Spooner claimed the boys’ team championship while Hayward’s girls dominated their division, but every school represented walked away with something more valuable — experience on championship-caliber trails that will serve them well heading into the state meet.
The decision to bring the conference championships to Minocqua after a fifteen-year absence at Cable’s Birkie start wasn’t made lightly. Minocqua Winter Park has quietly become one of the Midwest’s most respected Nordic centers, offering between 65 and 86 kilometers of groomed trails — that’s roughly 40 to 53 miles of skiing for those keeping track. The terrain here showcases classic Northwoods glaciated landscape, with trails ranging from gentle beginner loops to expert-level challenges that’ll humble even confident skiers.
USA Today readers voted the park the #1 Best Cross Country Ski Resort for 2023, recognition that reflects decades of thoughtful development and maintenance. The facility provides everything from equipment rentals and lessons to a warming shelter and snack bar — amenities that matter when you’re spending hours in below-freezing temperatures. But the real draw is the trail system itself, meticulously groomed for both classic and skate skiing techniques, with additional miles reserved for snowshoeing.
Founded officially in December 1979, the park evolved from the Lakeland Ski Touring Club’s grassroots efforts in the early 1970s. That first winter saw the Lakeland Ski Touring Championship in January 1980, followed by the prestigious Dannon Cup in February 1981. The park’s commitment to quality shows in details like their investment in professional grooming equipment, including their first Pisten Bully groomer purchased in December 1988 — a machine that transformed trail maintenance in the region.
What struck Schoville most about hosting the conference championships wasn’t just the competition — it was the opportunity to introduce young athletes, coaches, and parents to what Minocqua Winter Park offers. “It gives us a chance for the kids who are coming in from out of town to get to know Minocqua Winter Park more, coaches, adults, parents who have not been to this area before,” he explained. That outreach matters in a sport that thrives on community and tradition.
The park already runs programs like Nordic Wolves & Pups for K-5 students, building fundamental skiing skills through family-friendly activities that make the sport accessible rather than intimidating. These youth programs create pipelines for high school teams across the region, developing athletes who’ll eventually compete at events like Tuesday’s conference championships. Some of these kids have been skiing since they could walk, learning to navigate the Northwoods winter landscape on skinny skis before they ever touched downhill equipment.
The athletes who competed Tuesday have been training since mid-November, logging countless hours on trails as autumn transitioned to winter and snow finally accumulated. Those who qualified will advance to state championships taking place January 31 through February 1 in Brillion, carrying with them experience gained on Minocqua’s challenging terrain. For many, racing at the Winter Park will be a highlight they’ll remember long after high school.
Behind the groomed trails and race results lies something even more remarkable — a conservation story that secured this winter playground for generations to come. In 2011, Minocqua Winter Park established Wisconsin’s largest-ever land trust conservation easement, protecting 3,200 acres of Northwoods habitat from development. That easement ensures the trails winding through snow-laden pine and hardwood forests will remain accessible even as development pressure increases throughout Vilas County.
The 6,500-acre site operates as a non-profit, relying on trail passes, partnerships with the Town of Minocqua, and community support to maintain operations. It’s a model that works because people here understand the value of protected outdoor spaces — not just for recreation, but for the wildlife that calls these forests home and the economic boost winter tourism provides to local businesses during what could otherwise be a quiet season.
Year-round operations include summer activities, but winter remains the park’s signature season, drawing enthusiasts for skiing, snowshoeing, and increasingly popular fat biking on designated trails. The economic impact ripples through Minocqua’s hotels, restaurants, and shops, proving that silent sports can be just as valuable to a tourism economy as snowmobiling or ice fishing.
The success of Tuesday’s conference championships signals something larger for Minocqua’s winter identity. As climate patterns shift and snow reliability becomes less certain across the Midwest, facilities like Minocqua Winter Park that can maintain quality conditions become increasingly valuable to the Nordic skiing community. The park’s investment in professional grooming equipment and trail infrastructure positions it to host more high-profile events, potentially including regional or even national competitions.
For the high school athletes who raced Tuesday, the experience of competing on championship-caliber trails in their own backyard is invaluable. It reinforces what many Northwoods residents already know — that world-class outdoor recreation doesn’t require traveling to Colorado or Vermont. Sometimes the best experiences happen right here, on trails winding through pine forests where white-tailed deer leave tracks alongside ski tracks, where chickadees call from snow-heavy branches, and where the only sounds are wind, breath, and the satisfying glide of skis on fresh corduroy.
As Schoville noted, hosting events like the Northern Conference championships establishes Minocqua’s credibility in the Nordic skiing world while giving the next generation of skiers — and their families — reason to explore what this corner of Wisconsin offers. In a region built on lakes and summer cottages, cementing a winter sports identity creates year-round vibrancy that benefits everyone. Whether you’re a competitive high school skier chasing state championship dreams or a weekend warrior enjoying candlelit evening ski sessions, Minocqua Winter Park has become the Northwoods destination where winter is something to celebrate rather than simply endure.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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