By BILL BERRY
of The Gazette
Even dedicated winter haters have to admit that this one is something special.
With central Wisconsin communities up to their eyeballs in snow, area winter sports are booming.
Iverson Winter Sports Area had a record crowd on Saturday, Dec. 30, says Bob Gregorich, Stevens Point Parks and Recreation Department facilities manager.
"It was 34 degrees, and it was crazy. It was a record crowd and a huge revenue day, one of the biggest on record," he says.
Iverson offers two toboggan runs, three sledding hills, an ice rink and a cross-country skiing trail. Grilled hot dogs and quarter-pound hamburgers are among the refreshments sold there. "We had the freezers full (last weekend), and they almost wiped us out," says Gregorich. He's expecting more big crowds this weekend, when mild winter temperatures are predicted. "We have excellent conditions, the best we've had in decades," he says.
Iverson also has a big barrel where mittens, gloves and caps go when they've been left behind. "The lost and found barrel is full," Gregorich says.
While many adults are becoming reacquainted with their cross-country skis after years of neglect, others are foraying into a new activity: snowshoeing. Sales have been brisk, says Dave Swanson, manager at the One Stop Sport Shop in Stevens Point.
"The popularity of them comes straightforward from the new, lighter shoes. They're much more easy to get around on in the off-trail setting that most of those people like to experience," he says.
The new designs of snowshoes also have bindings that are easy to slip in and out of, and they're fitted to a person's weight, making them more comfortable, he adds.
People buying them are looking for variety, he says. "It's that same person who likes a little adventure and wants to do something a little new with their winter workout. They might be cross country skiing one day and coyote hunting on snowshoes the next."
Some snowshoers are sharing the skate-skiing lanes on cross-country ski trails. Their imprint is light enough to allow that.
As for downhill skiing, snowboards are where the action is at, Swanson says. "The snowboard business is the bright spot in the ski industry right now. It has youth involved," Swanson says. "The average downhill skier in United States is 45 years old. Snowboarding is putting a lot of new life into that business," he says.
When snowboards first became popular, there were a lot of small companies selling them. Now the big-name ski companies like Rossignol, K-2 and Burton have captured most of the sales.
Ski hills are responding to the trend, too. Portage County is considering snowboard rentals at Standing Rocks County Park next year. Plans for Granite Peak, formerly Rib Mountain Ski Area, call for adding more snowboard runs next year, Swanson says. Ski areas once shunned snowboarders. Now, "Most of these ski hills are starting to cater to these people," Swanson says.
Most winter sports enthusiasts have to address the cold one way or another, Swanson says. Sales of snowmobiling and winter hunting garb have also been brisk, he says.
"That's always been one of our strong points, that we have technical product that a hunter or snowmobiler could wear," he says.
"Most of the new product is fairly lightweight, and layered properly so you don't have to be a big snowball to stay warm. That's kind of a misconception in the cold weather business. It's exactly the opposite," Swanson says.
It's an exciting year to be in the winter sports business, he adds. "It's really been fun to talk to companies and the sales reps. There's a vitality. They know they'll have easier time selling product for next year. It's good for everybody, and the tourism business depends on it."
Here's a sampler of winter recreation areas in Portage County and nearby central Wisconsin locations.
IVERSON PARK WINTER RECREATION AREA, STEVENS POINT: Skiing, sledding, tobogganing. No charge. Warming house and refreshments available.
GOERKE PARK: Skating and hockey rinks. Warming house.
STANDING ROCKS COUNTY PARK, Stockton. Downhill and cross country skiing. Cross-country trails for skiing and striding include some good hills. Trails groomed by county. Warming house on grounds. Cost: $5.
PLOVER RIVER TRAIL, Stevens Point. Level terrain, easy skiing. Trails groomed by county. No trail fee. Warming house on-site, but it's no great shakes.
HARTMAN'S CREEK STATE PARK: Groomed cross country trails. Located off Highway 54 at Portage-Waupaca county line.
IOLA NORDIC SKI AREA: Well-maintained, wide trails for skating and striding. Trails include some good hills. Refreshments sold at heated chalet. Cost: $7. Lighted-night skiing costs $5. Located north of Iola on Highway 49.
NINE-MILE RECREATION AREA: Marathon County gem off Highway N on the south side of Rib Mountain. Wide trails for ski skating and striding. Trails regularly groomed. Chalet with wood-burning stove and refreshments.
GRANITE PEAK SKI AREA, Rib Mountain: Located on the north side of the mountain, this downhill skiing facility has expanded under new ownership. Day and night skiing available.
SNOWMOBILING: Snowmobile trails throughout central Wisconsin are all open. Portage County has 295 miles of trails groomed and maintained by the Alliance of Portage County Snowmobile Clubs.
OTHER OPTIONS: Many people still take to the Green Circle in the Stevens Point/Plover area. The mixed-use trail is used by walkers, snowshoers and skiers this time of year. Underdown Ski Area at Irma in Lincoln County is gorgeous and challenging.