Madison Parks offers groomed cross-country ski trails. Three (3) require a permit and three (3) are free to use. The type and frequency of grooming depend on the location and conditions.
| Daily |
$8 |
| Annual |
$30 |
| Annual Senior (65+) & Disabled |
$15 |
| Annual Military/Veteran |
$15 |
| Replacement |
$15 |
- 2025 permit is valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2025.
- 2026 permit is available starting November 1, 2025 and valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2026.
- The permit is also valid for Dane County Parks trails.
Staff Hours & Equipment Rentals
Ski rentals and concessions are available from the warming pavilion at Door Creek and Elver and inside the clubhouse at Odana Hills, when staffed.
Staffed hours are subject to change and dependent on the weather and trail conditions. See the alert for any updates.
Door Creek and Elver
| Days of the Week |
Hours |
| Wednesday - Friday |
4:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Saturday |
12:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Sunday |
12:00pm - 8:00pm |
Odana Hills
| Days of the Week |
Hours |
| Saturday and Sunday |
10:00am - 4:00pm |
Equipment Rentals
Includes skis, boots, poles and daily ski permit
| Type |
Price per Hour |
| Adult |
$9 |
| Youth - age 15 & younger |
$5 |
| Sit Ski (Elver only) - Adult |
$9 |
| Sit Ski (Elver only) - Youth - age 15 & younger |
$5 |
| Each additional hour - adult or youth |
$5 |
Events & Group Outings
Attend a
winter event open to the community or reserve a
winter recreation party for your group. All winter activities depend on the weather and conditions and are subject to change.
Pets & Bikes
Bikes and pets, including well-behaved dogs, are never allowed on any ice rink or lagoon. See
Dogs in Parks for locations where allowed.
Hiking and Snowshoeing
Do not walk on a designated cross-country ski trail. Hiking or snowshoeing is allowed ANYWHERE except on cross-country ski trails and off-trail in a
conservation park. See
SNOWSHOEING for suggested locations. When in doubt, don't.
Trail Conditions and Grooming
The type of trail grooming performed depends on a few things to make the most of both long and short-term skiing opportunities. The amount and type of snow and the ground condition at the time of the snow event play a part in the grooming equation.
Did you know Parks staff is responsible for priority snow removal areas? These priority areas are roads, more than 400 bus stops, bike trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. We always appreciate your patience and understanding as safety will always come before fun.
- Ski trails typically open after the first snowfall over 4" depending on the type of snow and trail conditions.
- Fee-based trails are groomed more frequently, as conditions allow and for both skate and classic skiing.
- Free-to-use ski trails are tracked or roll-groomed for classic cross-country skiing.
- We may not be able to groom or we may close a trail to preserve the trail condition. The website is updated as soon as information from the field is available.
- Permit fees are non-refundable.
- You may also visit Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.
Trail Tips & Responsibilities
- Follow directional arrows. Some trails are marked for one-way use
- Trails are rated for difficulty at the trailhead
- Skiers stay on groomed trails only
- No dogs, horses, snowboards, motor vehicles, hiking or snowshoeing on groomed trails
- Slower skiers, please stay to the right