Only 2% of Minocqua's customers come from the Twin Cities, which is too
bad. Granted, the trip doesn't pass ski shops, run alongside a big lake
or venture on ice-covered back roads with letters for names. Rather,
it's 4-4.25 hours of 80% four-lane divided highway to reach some of the
very nicest trails, best grooming, and friendliest and well-stocked of
ski centers in the midwest.

Taking up the road-thing and late season motel rates, I arrived Sat to
find high winds and falling temps had turned the morning's wonderland
into hard pack full of pine needles in places. It was still very
skatable (nothing like the hard ice one encounters in the Twin Cities or
on the Birkie trail). Used my racing skates newly reground by Zach and
they were as fast as the conditions, and didn't get damaged. After a
little dusting and colder temps overnight, Sunday was clear, lower 20s,
courduroy and cleaned-up. Truly a late winter wonderland. Lots of
people out (both days), including national/world masters champ Wayne
Fish, I think, who was out with Lee Borowski. I took a skate lesson
from Dan Clausen (of the 1988 video and PSIA National Demo team), who is
arguably as fine an instructor as the midwest has to offer. After that
(and a little late given the sun), Llona from the ski shop led several
of us out crust skating on the large swamp area for a couple of hours.
"It's good practice for skating light," she reminded us, conveniently
neglecting that she was the least hefty by 50-60 lbs. It was a lot of
fun, tho my very stiff Pelts were not the ski of choice. Minocqua's
spring celebration is next week, with free beer Saturday and Sunday. If
the snow holds through the coming warm-up, there should be some good
skiing left.

Gene Goldenfeld