Wisconsin · Cross-country skiing

Windy Ridge

0.2 mi
round trip
27 ft
climb
1,643 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Windy Ridge is a short, out-and-back cross-country ski route in northern Wisconsin, about 9 miles from the town of Rantz. The climb is minimal, with a total gain of 27 feet over a 0.38-mile round trip, and the route sits at an elevation of about 1,600 feet. It is a hard-rated ski, which makes it a short but challenging outing for those looking to add a bit of elevation to their day on the snow. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from the nearby Minocqua weather station show January highs around 20°F with lows near 1°F and about 10 snow days, while March still brings highs in the upper 30s and snow on six days. Snow days drop to zero from June through September, when summer highs reach the mid-70s. The ridge sits close to several other cross-country ski routes. Nutcracker and Tornado Alley are each about 0.1 mile away, and Sidekick and Base Loop are about 0.4 mile off. For a change of pace, Flambeau Lake, roughly 9 miles away, offers lake fishing.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Windy Ridge

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      20° / 1°

      11 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      25° / 3°

      8 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      37° / 13°

      9 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      49° / 26°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      64° / 39°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      73° / 51°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 54°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      75° / 52°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 45°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 34°

      13 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      25° / 9°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Minocqua, WI, 9.2 mi away at 1,601 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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