My brother and I renewed our pre-Christmas ski tradition on Saturday, thanks to the 18 inches of snow that fell on parts of Dane County, including Indian Lake State Park.
Like most holiday celebrations, this one required some compromise and last-minute juggling. We had hoped to join our families in the Southern Kettle Moraine – a convenient half-way point between our homes in Madison and Milwaukee – but the snow fell heaviest to the west. We also had to sacrifice some of our own time on the snow to accommodate our children and their preference for sledding and rolling.
I pulled my 18-month-old twins in their Chariot on skis for about 20 minutes, which was plenty for them and me on the deep, ungroomed trail. Lugging my nephew’s toboggan up the sledding hill, several times, rounded out the aerobic work.
The time may have been limited, but it was glorious, much like the scenery.
Check out this piece from Sara Knutson for a description of the Indian Lake Trails and other ski areas near Madison. The latest trail reports can be found through the Madison Nordic Ski Club.
A skier pushes through the deep snow in Indian Lake Park. Photo by Tom Held
Into the wonderland. Photo by Tom Held.
Climbing the sledding hill in Indian Lake Park. Photo by Tom Held
