Cross-Country Skiing
Madison Parks offers groomed cross-country ski trails. Three require a permit and three are free to use.
The type and frequency of grooming depend on the location and conditions. Go to Trail Grooming below for more information.
Rentals and concessions are planned for Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills as conditions allow. Go to Staffed Hours below for more information.
Trails
Free to Use
These parks are free to use, and do not require a permit. These trails are groomed weekly and/or as conditions allow.
Ski Permit Required
A daily or annual ski permit is required for anyone aged 16 or older at:
These trails are groomed several times each week for classic (tracks) and skate skiing, as conditions allow. Equipment rentals are available when staffed, as weather and trail conditions allow.
Locations
Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South Cross-Country Skiing
Door Creek Park Cross-Country Skiing
Elver Park Cross-Country Skiing
Odana Hills Golf Course Cross-Country Skiing
Owen Conservation Park Cross-Country Skiing
Turville Point Conservation Park Cross-Country Skiing
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Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - South Cross-Country Skiing Closed for Season
Free-to-use ski trails, easy to intermediate difficulty.
Last groomed: - -
Door Creek Park Cross-Country Skiing Closed for Season
A daily or annual ski permit is required. Intermediate difficulty.
Last groomed: - -
Elver Park Cross-Country Skiing Closed for Season
A daily or annual ski permit is required. Easy, intermediate, and advanced.
Last groomed: - -
Odana Hills Golf Course Cross-Country Skiing Closed for Season
A daily or annual ski permit is required. Easy difficulty.
Last groomed: - -
Owen Conservation Park Cross-Country Skiing Closed for Season
Nearly 2 miles of free-to-use ski trails, intermediate difficulty.
Last groomed: - -
Turville Point Conservation Park Cross-Country Skiing Closed for Season
2 miles of free-to-use ski trails, easy to intermediate difficulty.
Last groomed: -
Cross-Country Ski Permit
A daily or annual ski permit is required to use the ski trails at Door Creek Park, Elver Park, and the Odana Hills Golf Course. Anyone aged 16 or older needs a permit.
The permit is also valid for Dane County Parks trails.
Fees
| Type of Ski Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Daily | $8 |
| Annual | $30 |
| Annual Senior (65+), Disabled, Military or Veteran | $15 |
| Replacement | $15 |
Permit Year
- 2026 permits are valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2026.
- 2027 permits are available starting November 1, 2026, and valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2027.
Warming Pavilions, Ski Rentals & Concessions
Ski rentals and concessions are available from the warming pavilion at Door Creek and Elver and inside the clubhouse at Odana Hills, weather and conditions permitting. Staffed hours are subject to change and dependent on the weather and trail conditions. Be sure to check the Winter Activity Updates alert at the top of the page.
Door Creek and Elver
| Days of the Week | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wednesday - Friday | 4:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Saturday | 12:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Sunday | 12:00pm - 6:00pm |
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.
Trail Conditions and Grooming
Type of 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, as well as ground conditions at the time of the snow event, play a role in the grooming equation. Trails may be rolled to compact the snow base and ideally extend the skiing season.
Trail Status Definitions
- Open: Trail is snow-covered, skiable with the most recent grooming date posted.
- Closed: Skiing is not advised or permitted
See Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.
When We Groom
Parks staff is responsible for priority snow removal areas, including roads, more than 400 bus stops, bike trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. We 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.
Rules
Pets & Bikes
Bikes and pets are not allowed on cross-country ski trails. Leashed dogs are allowed on the hiking trails.
Hiking & Snowshoeing
Do not walk or snowshoe on a designated cross-country ski trail. In general parks, walking/hiking or snowshoeing is allowed anywhere except on cross-country ski trails. In conservation parks, hiking or snowshoeing is allowed on non-cross-country ski trails only. See snowshoeing for suggested locations. We recommend, when in doubt, don't.
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