Crossroads at Big Creek Starts Free Ski, Snowshoe Program

Snow conditions permitting, Crossroads at Big Creek will offer the Ski for Free program. During the school vacation they will lend ski equipment and snowshoes Thursday through Sunday, 1 – 3:30 pm.

In January, whenever there’s enough snow to groom the trails and wind chills are not excessive, Ski for Free will be offered on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 – 3:30 pm. Ski equipment and snowshoes in a wide range of sizes will be available from the Maintenance Building, free of charge. This program is staffed and sponsored by Friends of Crossroads and the Door County Silent Sports Alliance.

Ski trails at the Big Creek Preserve will be groomed whenever snow is adequate and the multi-use trails (hiking, biking, and snowshoeing) will be packed wherever possible. Trails at The Cove and the Ida Bay preserves are open, but they aren’t groomed and the parking areas aren’t plowed.

In addition to Ski for Free, several family programs will be offered.

On Dec. 31 at 4 pm, join the naturalist for the final hike of the year. If the sun is shining, it should set at 4:19 pm. The destination of this hike is The Cove, where hikers can watch the final sunset of the year. Hikers should meet at the Collins Learning Center.

On Jan. 2 at 10 am, families are invited to a bird feeding make-and-take workshop. Families will learn about feeding birds by observing them at the feeding station. Then, each family will make a simple feeder to take home. This workshop is free and open to the public.

The Collins Learning Center will be closed New Year’s Day. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan Street just east of the roundabout in Sturgeon Bay, is open 2 – 4 pm daily and during scheduled activities. For trail maps and current trail conditions, visit crossroadsatbigcreek.org.