Nicolet College Outdoor Adventure Winter Classes Set to Begin with Perfect Snow Conditions

Nicolet College is ready to launch its Winter 2023 Outdoor Adventure program with more than two dozen different classes for a growing number of people to pursue a wide variety of outdoor activities.

“Interest in outdoor classes continues to remain strong and we’re looking forward to having a great winter,” said Terry Rutlin, Nicolet College Outdoor Adventure coordinator.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer so many different classes for people to learn new skills and explore new natural areas throughout the Northwoods.”

Offerings in the upcoming Winter/Spring season will begin in early January and run through late Spring.

Rutlin noted that all of the new snow that has fallen in the Northwoods recently is making for perfect conditions for the numerous different skiing classes, which include both cross country classic and skate techniques near both Rhinelander and Minocqua, telemark and traditional downhill skiing, how to master Nordic downhills, and the always entertaining Skijor with Your Dog.

Other classes include beginning and intermediate fat biking, winter camping, an interpretive snowshoe hike to the Tea House at Minocqua Winter Park, and a series permaculture classes that will share practices that individuals can, come spring, implement in their gardens and other portions of their property that focus on wise use of natural resources.

On the hunting and fishing side of the house, new this year is a Beginning Turkey Hunting class as well as Ice Fishing for Beginners and the popular two-day Musky Seminar featuring top Northwoods musky guides.

While many classes will be held entirely outdoors, many others will either start inside before heading out or be held entirely in a classroom.

Click here full details or register for an Outdoor Adventure class, or call the college at (715) 365-4544.

Upcoming classes include:

Skijor with Your Dog & Beginning Skate Skiing - Experience the grace and elegance of skijoring through the winter woods with your dog with these two classes that will teach all the basics you’ll need to know to get started in this exciting sport. Beginning Skate will run from noon to 2 pm Friday, Jan. 6, with Skijor to follow from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $30 for one class or $50 for both. Minocqua Winter Park.

Beginning Classic Cross Country Skiing – Minocqua - Up North the woods take on a special serenity when they become snow covered in winter. And one of the best ways to experience this scenic natural quietude is to cruise through the forest on cross-country skis. Designed for beginners looking to try the sport for the first time as well as for those who have some skiing experience, this class will give you all the skills necessary to gracefully and confidently ski the many groomed and tracked beginner trails located throughout the Northwoods. Class runs two consecutive Fridays, Jan. 6 and 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Minocqua Winter Park. $50.

Beginning Skate Skiing – Rhinelander - The deceptively effortless glide and grace of skate skiing is only possible when you know proper technique. Starting on flat terrain, we’ll cover the essential elements of proper skate skiing form to get both the skis and poles working in sync for that perfect glide. Saturday, Jan. 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Ced A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC) just east of Rhinelander. $30.

Beginning Classic Cross-Country Skiing – Rhinelander - Classic skiing is the traditional cross-country technique that involves skiing in groomed tracks. From youngster to senior, everybody can pick up this technique quickly and enjoy the beauty of the trails in the Northwoods. Designed for both true beginners and those with some skiing experience. Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ced A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC) just east of Rhinelander. $30.

Intermediate Classic Cross-Country Skiing – Minocqua - Join Minocqua Winter Park Ski School Founder and Director Dan Clausen for this skills-filled class designed to build on your previous classic-style cross-country skiing experience. Goal will be to improve ability and gain a greater sense of confidence. Three Thursdays, January 12, 19, and 26, 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at Minocqua Winter Park. $75.

Intermediate Skate Skiing – Minocqua - The grace, style, and speed of the skate skiing technique will be the focus of this class geared for those who have some previous skate skiing experience. By poling and pushing with the legs in various sequences and rhythms, you’ll refine and perfect your skills with at least three different skate skiing techniques. Two Thursdays, January 12 and 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. under the lights at Minocqua Winter Park. $50.

Mastering Nordic Downhills - Every Nordic skier should have a big bag of tricks to negotiate many different types of ski trails. Even experienced skiers are eager to learn tactics to turn more accurately on cross-country skis. This session is designed to build more confidence and relaxation in descending hills as individuals will progress through a variety of techniques that include a straight run, wedge turns, and step turns. Friday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at Minocqua Winter Park. $30.

Telemark Skiing - Telemark skiing is arguably one of the most elegant of skiing styles. You’ll expand your skiing skills repertoire with this class designed to teach all the basics of quintessential Telemark skiing for those free-the-heel, smooth-as-butter turns. Monday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort. $60. Students will also need to purchase a Big Powderhorn lift ticket.

Beginning Downhill Skiing - A great day on the slopes carving graceful and confident turns comes down to learning a few basic techniques to make your skis go where you want them to. In this class designed for both those new to the sport and individuals with some experience, you’ll learn the tips and tricks needed to ski forward while controlling speed, turn right and left with confidence, and perhaps most importantly, how to stop on a dime. Offered twice, Saturday, Jan. 7, and Saturday, Jan. 21, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Camp 10 Ski Area south of Rhinelander. $68. Includes lift ticket, professional instruction, and the use of skis, if needed.

Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Downhill Skiing - Designed for those who are starting to get comfortable on skis, this class is the next step in ski school progression where individuals will continue to gain confidence on skis by continuing to refine their skills. Saturday, Feb. 4, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Camp 10 Ski Area south of Rhinelander. $68. Includes lift ticket, professional instruction, and the use of skis, if needed. 

Beginning Fat Bike - Cycling on the snow might sound crazy, but with the right kind of bike, it’s fun and will have you soaking up the season. The same trails used for summer rides become a whole new playground atop a fat bike in winter. Two Saturdays, Jan. 14 and 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at either the Rhinelander area Enterprise Trail System or the Mud Lake Mountain Bike Trails, depending on which trails have the best conditions. $60.

Next-Level Fat Bike - Looking to bump your fat bike skills up a notch or two? This intermediate-level class will help you learn how to use body English to control your bike, cornering techniques at speed, navigating single-track, proper cadence, and bike handling during challenging sections. Two Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 11, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at either the Rhinelander area Enterprise Trail System or the Mud Lake Mountain Bike Trails, depending on which trails have the best conditions. $60.

Mud Lake Mountain Bike Trails just north of Rhinelander. $60.

Backcountry Winter Camping - Learn the basics of what it takes to thrive during a night camping in the winter wilderness! In this introductory course we will not actually make a trek and spend a night in the woods, but we will set up a winter camp on the Nicolet Campus. We’ll go over all of the equipment needed and how to use it, see some demonstrations and examples of techniques used for this unique experience, plus the instructors will share stories, advice, and photos from their previous trips. Saturday, Jan. 22, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Lakeside Center on campus and in the Nicolet woods. $40.

Tea House Interpretive Snowshoe Hike - “Break Free” from the depths of winter and join Winter Park Naturalists Erin Blow and Barb Blow on an exploration of one of the oldest Snowshoe trails in the park.  The Breaking Free trails is a beautiful and easy 2.5-mile hike that starts along the highly-aesthetic confluence of the Yukon Creek and Squirrel River. We’ll take a break at the quaint and cozy Scandinavian-style trailside Tea House for some refreshments before finishing the last leg of our journey back to the Chalet. Saturday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Minocqua Winter Park. $35.

Beginning Ice Fishing: The Quintessential Northwoods Experience - Sojourning out onto a frozen lake in the middle of winter, drilling a hole in the ice, and dropping a fishing line into the water is as classic Northwoods as it gets. This class is designed for those with little or no experience ice fishing. Luke Statz, coach of the Three Lakes High School Ice Fishing Team, will cover everything you need to know to safely partake in this winter adventure. Since this is a great activity for kids, families are encouraged to attend. Note that a Wisconsin fishing license will be required for anyone 16 or older who wants to ice fish. Those under the age of 16 and individuals looking only to observe will not need a license. Those under 16 attend this class for free. Saturday. Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to noon. Nicolet Campus – Red Oak Center and Lake Julia. $35.

How to Hunt Wild Turkeys - With a level of hearing and eyesight that ranks among the best of any gamebird, hunting wild turkeys requires a special set of skills and techniques in order to harvest a bird and turn it into delectable table fare. Topics will include proper camouflage; hunting from a blind as well as stalking techniques; how to call in a tom with a variety of different calls; preferred gun, choke, and shell selections; and turkey habitat and behavior. Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Nicolet Campus, Northwoods Center 208-209. $30.

Musky Seminar: In Pursuit of Northwoods Giants - Musky anglers can stack the odds in their favor for catching these trophy gamefish by applying the numerous techniques and strategies shared in 2023 Musky Seminar at Nicolet College. Fishing Hall of Famer Steve Heiting and top Northwoods musky guides Scott Biscobing, Rob Manthei and Ken Jackson will offer a combined 10 one-hour-long seminars over two consecutive Saturdays. Gearing presentations to both beginning musky anglers as well as those with experience and looking to take their game to the next level, this year’s seminar will focus on the many different baits used to catch muskies, including the most effective techniques for each bait and what time of year each works best. Other topics will include a detailed look at area musky waters as well as an overview of the basics of musky fishing and the best techniques for safely landing and releasing these apex freshwater predators. Two consecutive Saturdays, March 25 and April 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nicolet Campus – Northwoods Center 207-209. $60 one day or $100 both days.

Introduction to Permaculture - Make sustainable living and "lazy gardening" your abundant reality! Utilize the ethics and principles of permaculture to guide your transition to a sustainable lifestyle that works with nature.  Explore the many practical ways permaculture can be immediately applied in home and garden, including perennial gardening, animal husbandry, natural buildings and more.  Use the power of natural processes to achieve the thriving landscape you've dreamed of.  This class also serves as an excellent introduction to the Intermediate Permaculture classes. Saturday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to noon. Nicolet Campus – Northwoods Center 208-209. $35.

Intermediate Permaculture: Landscape Design - Start this spring with confidence in designing the homestead of your dreams! In this session, we learn how semi-permanent features of the landscape--like climate, landform and roads, water, and legal constraints—influence your homestead design. You'll gain insights as to how these factors influence your design choices in plants and new infrastructure, and learn how to leverage them to maximize your site potential. Friday, Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nicolet Campus - Northwoods Center 208-209. $45.

Intermediate Permaculture: Flora & Fauna - In this class, we gain more new knowledge to set your homestead up for success, right from the start! We'll discuss more flexible design features like existing vegetation, wildlife, microclimates, and soils, and how they impact your design considerations. Learn about the many plant choices for your new Northwoods gardens, and how all of these components can work together to provide benefits to your house and property. Saturday, Feb. 4, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nicolet Campus - Northwoods Center 208-209. $45.

Maple Syrup Making - You can make delicious maple syrup with just a couple maple trees and some simple equipment. We will teach you the basics of how maple syrup is made, what tools and equipment you will need, and how to boil syrup in your back yard. Everyone will get a chance to drill and install a tap and we’ll have a mock boiling rig to review. You’ll go home with some tree taps and the know-how to make some syrup this spring. Saturday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nicolet Campus Northwoods Center 208-209. $30.

Basic Tree Felling - Have you ever pinched your chainsaw in a tree or dropped a tree where you didn’t want? In this two- hour class we’ll discuss the physics of proper tree cuts, considerations to get that tree to go where you want, how to do it all safely and when to call in the pros. Newbies and experienced firewood cutters will all learn something that will make their future tree dropping efforts more safe, relaxing, and accurate. Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nicolet Campus Northwoods Center 208-209.