The whisper of cross country skis is accompanying plenty of smiling faces this January at Nine Mile Forest in Marathon County.
That's where members of the Wausau Nordic Ski Club are offering free cross country ski lessons, rentals and trail passes each Tuesday this January from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"To actually learn the technique of using the poles and how to move is really great" Anna Nummelin told Newsline 9 after her ski lesson.
Nummelin recently moved to Rib Mountain from Miami, Fla. She says learning to ski was a great family outing.
"My parents are here, my brother was here, my husband, so the whole family did it" Nummelin said.
Lessons are offered for skiers or all experience levels, even if it's your first time on skis.
"I skied before but I'd never been taught or had any lessons, so I leaned things like how to stop, which I had never known before" Tim Buccholcz said after his ski lesson.
Though this winter hasn't provided optimal snow conditions, instructor Bob Robinson says Nine Mile Forest is in good shape thanks to the Marathon County Parks Department.
"The snow conditions are the best they possibly could be with the snow we've been given" Robinson said.
Lessons are offered at Nine Mile Forest each Tuesday night in January from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The lesson, ski rental and trail pass are free, but are first come first serve. Skiers should plan to arrive early to reserve a spot.
