Vilas County is a winter wonderland in the heart of northern Wisconsin, so that means there are lots of ways to get out and enjoy the Northwoods—including on a pair of skates. Here’s a closer look at skating rinks and other places to get out on the ice.
Ride The Glide in Boulder Junction
This only-in-the-Northwoods ice skating experience is located at Boulder Junction Winter Park and allows skaters to traverse a roughly one-mile skating ribbon that circles the park. The Glide is an outstanding way to take in winter scenery, as the park is located within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. There is also a separate skating rink at Winter Park, and both facilities have lights so they can stay open after sunset. There are a limited amount of skates for borrow on site or you can rent skates from
Head to a local ice rink
Skaters can enjoy a day on the ice at several places throughout Vilas County, including indoor and outdoor facilities.
- Snowflake Ice Rink, located behind Town Hall in Land O’ Lakes is an indoor rink that’s open from 9am to 9pm daily, weather permitting, from November through late March; warming house on site and limited number of skates available to borrow
Outdoor ice rinks can be found in several communities:
- Vilas County Fairgrounds, Forrest Street in Eagle River
- Conover Town Park, off County Highway K
- Brandy Park, Brandy Beach Road in Arbor Vitae
- Community Park in St. Germain (inside the pavilion), Highway 70 and 155; open from 6am to 11pm
- Community Park, Lake Street in Sayner
Get out on the lakes
In the mood for a true Northwoods experience? Try “wild skating”—that is, ice skating on Vilas County’s scenic lakes. Lakes must be frozen and not snow-covered, so the conditions aren’t always right, but when it happens it’s an outstanding way to take in the beautiful winter scenery of northern Wisconsin.
Where to rent skates
If you don’t have your own skates, head to Coontail in downtown Boulder Junction to rent a pair.
