It’s not the easiest place to find, but once you learn how to access the ski trails at Cherry Hills Nordic Center you will glide into Valhalla… a skier’s paradise. It’s because of the dedicated perfectionism of founder Tom Parsons, coupled with a team of avid supporters like Paul Anschutz and other members of the Door County Silent Sports Alliance that make this a five-star accomplishment.

There are 10K of skate trails and 5K of traditional diagonal tracks – all groomed to perfection. I skied there a week ago, on Saturday, the last day in January. All around me I saw bare fields. Under my skiis it looked like a giant cake-decorating tool squeezed out a perfect stripe of corrugated white icing… no, not icy, perfect granular snow.

With an inch or two of new snow recently, the conditions have gotten even better. Here’s the proof! Tom and four other skiers take you on a ski-cam lap of the Orchard Trail:

With 37 acres to work with, the trail layout takes advantage of every bit of terrain, providing a great set of rolling hills and climbs. Don’t expect to find a fancy warming house or other amenities… what you may notice is the equipment. Sophisticated snow-grooming tools are parked at various spots on the grounds. There is a table and a set of drawers with release forms and an honor box for donations – suggested contributions to sustaing the effort are $5 per day or $50 for a season pass.

OK! Here’s the biggest secret revealed… How to find Cherry Hills Nordic Center located at 5736 Walker RD on the north end of Sturgeon Bay.

The Center is open every day. Questions? Call 920.743.0272 or cell 920.495.8484 or e-mail latitude44@gmail.com.

Freelance writer Mary Lu Laffey says, “Advances in snowshoe design in recent years have produced more user-friendly equipment, which has encouraged more people to strap on and head outside.”

She took time to interview Brian Merkle,  owner of Nor Door Sports & Cyclery in Fish Creek who confirms her comments saying, “Anyone who loves to get outside and exercise or wants to be active over the winter will like it.”

Mary also paid a visit to Karen Newbern at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor who adds, “This activity is intuitive. It doesn’t matter if you are klutzy or athletic. You are on your own and set your own pace.”

You can read her entire article in the Chicago Sun Times: Snowshoeing through Wisconsin’s Door County; Strap on some snowshoes for winter fun in Wisconsin.

Even though “Crazy Sheryl” McGlochlin is out in Utah, she has some excellent video tips on how to dress and what to take along when you go snowshoeing that will be of value to anyone setting out on their first such winter adventure.

There are dedicated snowshoe trails at The Crossroads at Big Creek, Potawatomi State Park, Whitefish Dunes State Park, Peninsula State Park and Newport State Park. Friends of Crossroads loan skis and snowshoes to children and adults who wish to use them on a first-come-first-serve basis every Sunday from 1 – 3 pm. Come to the Collins Learning Center. If you care to check on snow conditions there, call 920.746.5895.

You can also rent snowshoes at the Bay Shore Outdoor Store in Sister Bay and Sturgeon Bay.

Throughout the season you will be able to check current Door County ski conditions posted here by local skiers…  find out about events and other quiet season opportunities.

With cooler weather settling in and the leaves all raked, we are working on trail grooming all over the County of Door. Ski season is just ahead and the Peninsula will soon be full of winter hospitality, warm fireside chats and delicious hearty meals following a day outdoors. We’ll bring you all of info including a guide to the businesses that are open the year ’round, highlighting those with special deals available in the quiet season.