This was the first time my wife and I visited and skied at Ariens Nordic Center (we usually ski…read moreLapham Peak, Greenbush or Iola). We had a great time. This is kind of a long review, but I'm really reviewing three different things at the ANC (the xc ski trails, the biathlon range, and the reception/rental/shop).
First the snow conditions and grooming report for yesterday. They make snow at ANC, so there was still a deep manmade base of snow there, despite the recent warm weather. The trails were in good shape yesteday, and very well groomed for skate skiing and classic skiing.
As to the layout of the xc ski trails, they are well designed. The course is longer than I expected it to be. The trails are well-labeled and signed, so it is easy to stay oriented when you are out skiing. Lots of hills on the trails, but nothing too long, and nothing too steep (no hills the length and steepness of hills at LP or GB). You can though get a real work-out if you are a serious skier.
Overall, the trails at ANC are very different in feel compared to LB, GB or Iola. Not as natural feeling as those places (a lot fewer trees), and ANC has a more "designed feel" to it. It's more like you are driving around Road America, or playing a round on a well-designed golf course. Much of the course is not sheltered from the wind, so take that into account if it is a windy/cold day, and you are deciding on your kit.
As to the ANC's biathlon range, it is clearly Olympic or world-class quality. I've been around rifles and xc skis all my life, but yesterday was the first time I ever had the chance to shoot a biathlon rifle. It's not particularly complicated to learn (especially if you have experience shooting). Due to the number of folks who wanted to try the range, I only shot one set of five targets. Shooting from a prone position, and with range manager Sean Becker's clear instructions, I was able to hit five targets in a row (Booyah!) An extremely satisfying feeling to watch the black circles turn white, just like in the Olympics on TV.
The 22-caliber biathlon rifles they supply have practically no kick to them when you pull the trigger (that's a good thing for new shooters). This would be a great place to introduce kids to the sport, and I think they would find it cooler than playing a video game. Kids as young as 10 (with adult supervision) can use the range.
As to other facilities at ANC, at the trailhead there is a spacious, stylish reception center, and it's stocked with lots of new, good-quality rental equipment. The reception center has several tables to spread out on, if you bring your own lunch, and nice restrooms (with ample space to change clothes). They have a small "ski shop" in the reception center that sells high-quality ski clothing and ski waxes.
Yesterday the ski shop offered a St. Patrick's Day special, with everyone who skied the trails getting a free coupon for a green beer or other beverage post ski. So we skied, then walked across the parking lot to the new big Ariens Hospitality Center ("AHC"). There we got a free beer and juice, and they also had some nice lunch offerings (Chili $6 with all the fixings, corn beef & cabbage $11, etc.). There was a full bar with a friendly young bartender (enthusiastic, even if he was inexperienced and brand new on the job). The chili we ordered was meaty and top notch. The AHC looks out over a small lake (Round Lake), and has a grand fireplace. The center's great hall is large enough to host a large wedding, or corporate event. When we were there, there was a good fire roaring in the fireplace, and the couches around the fireplace were a good spot to enjoy the beer and the chili, and to strike up a conversation with other skiers. Felt sort of like a nice downhill ski lodge apres ski, but not as crowded.
Overall, the ANC is different than any other xc ski facility/place we have visited in Wisconsin. If you are familiar with how Kohler does hospitality, or creates recreational facilities, Ariens is taking something of a similar approach with the ANC. That is, Ariens is offering a "high-end xc ski experience"; but the nice thing is they are doing that (at least this first season) at a lower cost than if you were going to Kohler, or certainly at a lower cost than if you were going to a downhill ski resort area (in Wisconsin or anyplace else). It will be interesting to see if they expand in the future (like adding a hotel, or mountain bike trails). Either way, they are off to a strong start in their first season with what they've built so far. If you have not tried ANC, we highly recommend it.
