Learn the basics of XC skiing or improve your skills for the upcoming snow season. Sign up for free cross-country ski lessons offered by Nordic Ski Club of Milwaukee instructors at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2020. We’ll ski on the well-groomed, wide loop of man-made snow near the Evergreen Shelter at Lapham Peak, part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in southeastern Wisconsin. Even if there’s no snow in other parts of the area, we can usually guarantee snow on this loop thanks to the ongoing Snowmaking Project. With support from ski clubs, Lapham Peak Friends and others, snowmaking machines have created a nearly two-foot base on a 2 km loop.

To sign up for 10 a.m. ski lessons, contact Carol at tortoiseski@wi.rr.com. Non-members are encouraged to attend the free lessons. We’ll have a noon picnic for club members and potential new members ($5 to cover cost of food for non-members) at the Hausmann Nature Center near the Tower.

This also will be the club’s monthly meeting with announcements about ski trips and events. The club will supply the noontime picnic lunch – but only for those who make reservations by Tuesday, January 7 th ($5 cost for non-members). To reserve lunch, please call Rita at 262-547-4827 or email at rkeber@milwpc.com.

You will need a 2020 Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker (annual $28; daily $8—lower cost for seniors [$13]) and, if you plan to ski, a State Trail Pass (annual $25; daily $5) per person. These can be purchased at the Lapham Peak entrance station. Lines can be long at the entrance. Also, an OutWiGo event will be held the same day as our picnic, from Noon to 4 p.m., so do come early.

Lapham Peak is one mile south of I-94 on County Highway C at the Delafield exit.

Bring your own skis and poles or rentals are available on-site as you enter the Evergreen area at Lapham Peak at the Nordic Specialists Hut (white shed located on the road to Evergreen Parking Lot). On the Saturday of January 11, Nordic Specialists (262-261-3800) have agreed to open earlier, approximately 9 a.m. to provide rentals for striding and skate skis, so we should be able to be on the snow by 10 a.m.

Another rental provider is Bicycle Doctor of Dousman (262-965-4144).