Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are two of the most popular winter sports in Wisconsin, and are both an extraordinary way to explore the state's exceptionally beautiful winter landscapes. Many of the best places for winter activities like these are Wisconsin's State Parks and forests. These protected lands are beautiful any time of year, but when the snows begin to fall, they take on an extra magical quality that simply must be enjoyed.

Some trails are single-track for traditional cross country skiing, while others are built for skate-style skiers, and still others are wide enough for both. Wherever you end up this winter, make sure one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts are at the heart of it all.

When it comes time to find the best places to stay in Wisconsin, you'd be hard-pressed to do better than our collection of Inns. Our member properties are located in all the best destinations around the state, ready to welcome you with the warm hospitality we've become known for. Find your special place this winter, and book a room at a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast today!

Cross Country Skiing in Wisconsin

With over 700 cross country skiing trails in the state (and even more ungroomed trails), it's impossible to list all of the wonderful places for cross country skiing in Wisconsin. But, we do have a few great recommendations to get you started, including some properties that have trails on their very property. Travel Wisconsin provides a great snow report tool that can help you time your trip to optimal conditions. 

1. Justin Trails Resort near Sparta has its very own network of groomed cross-country ski trails on their 200-acre property.  When you're ready to venture out for more, they are near Wildcat Mountain State Park, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and the Black River State Forest, all excellent destinations for cross country skiing. 
2. Devils Lake State Park and Mirror Lake State Park near Baraboo both offer exceptional trails for cross country skiers. 
3. Nine Mile Forest and Sylvan Hill Park in Wausau are two of the most popular places for cross country skiing in Wisconsin
4. Getaway up north in Sturgeon Bay, and enjoy some wonderful winter recreation on the Ahnapee State Trail, at Whitefish Dunes State Park, where you can cross country ski along the bluffs of Lake Michigan.
5. Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay is the perfect place for Beginners to test out their stamina on cross country ski trails. 
6. The Lapham Peak portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is located near Waukesha and is a great place for cross country skiing. It offers one of the longest downhill portions of ski trails in the state. There's a warming hut along the trail, and both rentals and lighted night skiing are available. 
7. Mt. Ashwabay near Bayfield offers more than 40 km of cross country ski trails, and exceptional views of the area, including views of the Apostle Islands.
8. Hartman Creek State Park in Waupaca is a beautiful place to spend the day cross country skiing. The nearby Iola Winter Sports Club is also a great place to spend the day (or night!) on the 20+ km of trails. They also host a ski jump, if you feel so inclined.
9. Copper Falls State Park near Ashland offers multiple loops of classic and skate-groomed trails suitable for a variety of ability levels. Skiers will enjoy winding through mature hardwood forests and enjoying the scenic views of the Bad River.
10. Blue Mound State Park in Blue Mounds, home to the highest point in southern Wisconsin, features excellent cross country skiing opportunities for all abilities. 

Ski the Birkebeiner Cross Country Ski Event in 2020

The American Birkebeiner Cross Country Ski event is North America's largest and most prestigious X-C ski marathon. It's an extraordinary event that will take place from February 22, 2020. In total, 12,000 cross country skiers from around the world will participate in the Birkebeiner (50k Skate/55k Classic), the 29K Kortelopet, Prince Haakon 15K, the children's Barnebirkie, and Junior Birkie.

The 107-kilometer Birkie Trail system, located between Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, attracts a variety of athletes around the year but is never more spectacular than it is during the winter.

The Best Places to Stay in Wisconsin

At the end of a long day on Wisconsin's cross-country ski trails, we know you'll be ready for someplace warm to relax and unwind. That's why we recommend staying at our collection of Inns, rated as the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Make the most of these cold winter months, and enjoy getting out and exploring the beautiful state of Wisconsin! A great getaway isn't complete without exceptional lodging, which is exactly what you'll find at our member Bed and Breakfasts. 

Our Innkeepers invest a lot of time and energy into making sure they offer the best places to stay in Wisconsin, which starts with offering you accommodations as close to feeling like home as possible. Start your day off on the right food with an impeccably-prepared breakfast. Our innkeepers take incredible pride in their recipes and provide you with a delicious meal at the start of your day! We take time to make sure every detail of your stay has been thoughtfully tended to. Use our search tool to find the best places to stay in Wisconsin this winter!

  Have you taken stock of your well-being lately? Basic human needs like being in nature, knowing where your food comes from, getting a good night’s sleep, and making time for the people most important in your life can often be addressed with a B&B getaway. Transformative travel is next-gen wellness travel. It’s a getaway that helps you reset and recharge. And it isn’t about an age as much an attitude about what’s important in life, addressing all aspects of a person’s life – exercise, meditation, healthy food, relaxation, unplugging, preventative care, even the goal of using up your vacation days. In Wisconsin, a number of B&Bs really get transformative travel and the power that little moments have to put guests on the path they’ve always longed for. [caption id="attachment_2536" align="alignright" width="358"] Forest Therapy for all seasons at Inn at Wawanissee Point[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2546" align="alignleft" width="212"] The Crystal River by Apple Tree Lane B&B[/caption]                       At Apple Tree Lane B&B, it’s their interpretation of the Japanese practice of “forest bathing” that has guests flocking there in the warm weather months. Lest you think forest bathing is walking through the woods barefoot or taking a dip in a lake – although it can be those – it is so much more. The practice of slowing down to connect with nature in an immersive, mindful way can boost mood and reduce stress. Apple Tree Lane B&B's location by the river lets one get accustomed to this practice. Also nearby to the inn, the Waupaca segment of the Ice Age Trail starts within Hartman Creek State Park, running north of the park to Indian Valley Road, and south of the park through the Emmons Creek Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Area. The segment is part of the 1,000-mile National Scenic Ice Age Hiking and Skiing Trail. Another pristine place to forest bathe in solitude is the Inn at Wawanissee Point's 42-acre wooded sanctuary adjacent Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, both nestled atop the Baraboo Range, ancient quartzite bluffs topped with 55,000 acres of oak, maple and basswood forest, the largest tract of its kind remaining in the upper Midwest. Their 3 miles of private trails are secluded, groomed just enough for easy walking, meander mature forest intertwined by a stream, and intersect their small, restored prairie, with meditation benches, stumps and boulders for quiet reflection. Nature power-melts away tension here. Other B&Bs where you can untether from technology and get back out in nature include Country Comfort B&B and Sheer Memories B&B, with miles of hiking trails right on these properties. Country Comfort is located right on the Red Cedar River and Trail with nearby Hoffman Hills Hiking Trails adding another place for forest bathing while in Menominee. Sheer Memories is located on the rolling hills of Southwestern Wisconsin overlooking the Wisconsin River Valley with trails, gardens, fields, and woods, and where breathtaking views lend itself to a peaceful retreat. [caption id="attachment_2542" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farm fresh ingredients[/caption] Mindful eating is another aspect of transformative travel. At Parkview B&B, the innkeepers take pride in preparing delicious, creative, homemade breakfasts while using seasonal, fresh, local, & quality ingredients. The Altemus Corners B&B lets you enjoy fresh produce and berries for a full breakfast including fresh farm fruit (berries and melons) juices, coffee and tea. Lazy Cloud B&B has restorative spa treatments right at the inn. Franklin Street Inn hosts experiences in a Group Art Workshop like no other in the area and is another path to well-being for many. They will allow each participant to create a unique painting of their own. Seasonally, these are conducted in their lovely garden area. Artha Sustainable Living Center includes a guided meditation option in one of its packages. When it comes to a restful night’s sleep, you’d be hard pressed to find anything as dream-inducing as the beds at Ye Olde Manor House and Grapevine Log Cabins. Plus the quiet, rural atmosphere at both properties lends itself to falling asleep and staying asleep. Lots of ideas to be well!  

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