Whether you’re strapping on a pair of snowshoes for the first time or prepping for your next winter race, you’ll find plenty of places to play in the snow in Oneida County. Want to see a few of the best? Read on.

First things first: check out the latest snow report to see how much of the fluffy white stuff we’ve got here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

Next, find a place to play in the snow. Here are just a few suggestions:

Minocqua Winter Park

This 6,500-acre facility nestled in the woods about 15 miles west of Minocqua is home to some of the best winter sports opportunities in the Midwest. Minocqua Winter Park boasts 50 miles of expertly groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, as well as more than 15 miles of snowshoeing trails that weave through beautiful Northwoods scenery. And that’s not even to mention the tubing hill, ice skating pond and skijoring opportunities at the park!

Minocqua Winter Park is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily (the tubing hill is open on Saturdays and Sunday only).

If you’re new to cross-country skiing, don’t worry—the Minocqua Winter Park Ski Shop offers lessons from certified instructors no matter your skill level. Choose from private or small group lessons or sign up for the weekend intro class, which includes rentals, lessons and a park pass.

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

A sprawling 232,000-acre forest that covers land in three northern Wisconsin counties, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest offers skiers tons of great places to get out on the trails. Here are a few spots to check out:

• The Madeline Lake Trail System sits just east of Woodruff and has four different trails ranging from 3 to 5 miles in length to explore. A Wisconsin state trail pass is required for skiers. The trailhead is located just off Rudolph Road north of County Highway J.
• Take in some amazing winter scenery around three Northwoods lakes on the McNaughton Trail System south of Lake Tomahawk. Skiers can explore trails ranging from 1 mile to more than 4 miles around Hawk Lake, Helen Lake and McNaughton Lake. One of the loops is groomed for skate skiing in winter. A trail pass is required. The trailhead can be found on Kildeer Road off Highway 47.

Learn more about cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Oneida County here.

Don’t have your own skis or snowshoes? Find rentals at The Hiker Box and Mel’s Trading Post.