Machickanee Cross Country
Ski Trails

Oconto County, WI

Trail System

The Machickanee Cross Country Ski Trails were originally planned and developed by local skiers in the Oconto County Forest with the cooperation of the Oconto County Land , Forest , and Parks Committee. The current trail system has resulted from the efforts of many volunteers who have donated their time, money, and energy since 1978. In 1982, the Machickanee Cross Country Ski Club was formed to organize those efforts.

The trails lead through a series of forest types, including red pine plantations, coniferous swamps, oak ridges, and birch and aspen stands. They undulate through topography ranging from creek bottoms to ridge tops. Numerous hills and curves of various slopes and lengths make this course a challenge for the intermediate to advanced skiers.

The Machickanee Cross Country Ski Trails also include a beginner loop that can be enjoyed by skiers of all ability levels.

Current Trail Conditions

Updated 03/06/08

Spring skiing tip: Warm new snow (above 25 degrees) tends to be a little bit sticky. To improve your skiing with waxless skis, spray silicone on the entire base. It improves the glide and helps keep the snow from sticking in the kick area. Maxiglide works well, also.

Another outstanding ski weekend 2/29 thru 3/02. The trails were groomed and tracked on Thursday to break up the crust. 2-3" of new snow Thursday night allowed for tracking on Friday morning. The track was very nice, but soft. After a dusting of snow Friday night, the trails were groomed and tracked again on Saturday morning. This firmed up the track quite nicely. The skiing on Saturday was perhaps the best it has ever been, with ideal weather and a near perfect track. Sunday morning the skiing was still outstanding. As the sun warmed the snow, the track started to get a little soft around noon time. In the afternoon, the clouds came and the coolness they provided allowed the track to hold up and be nicely skiable. The rains held off until the overnight on Sunday.

The Blackberry Ramble was groomed today (Thursday). It took a lot of effort to work out the crust from the Sunday night rain. I talked to skiers who reported the rest of the trail to be in good to very good condition on Wednesday and again on Thursday. With that information, it was decided not to groom the other trails. The track on those trails is quite nice, but firm, and could be fast. A dusting to 1" of snow would make for really good skiing for yet another weekend.

If everyone took a couple of seconds to remove a few sticks each time they skied, it would make for better skiing for all and better for grooming.