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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
at Palmquist's Farm in Brantwood,
Wisconsin - N5136 River Road, Brantwood, WI 54513
Palmquist's Farm (800-519-2558, 715-564-2558, www.palmquistfarm.com) in Brantwood, WI is on the edge of wilderness in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The 1,500-acre ranch straddles the Somo River and has been a working beef, deer, and tree farm for four generations. Their passion is great Finnish hospitality that goes back nearly 110 years. Enjoy the Finnish heritage of hosts, Jim and Helen Palmquist at the Farm where you can escape to the country and relax, amidst beautiful rural surroundings with Finnish meals, spending time with family or friends. There are no strangers at the Farm, only friends you haven't met yet.
The 32 km of ski and snowshoe trails on Palmquist Farm will take you through some of Wisconsin's remote and beautiful forests and backcountry terrain. You'll ski through maple groves and cedar swamps, up hardwood covered ridges and into the Tiaga Ski Trail north of the Farm. Try the 24-hour lighted trail for an after-dinner of before-bed ski. The low traffic on the trails allows you to ski at your own pace and the trails are maintained with a state-of-the-art Pisten Bully.
Cross country ski and snowshoe equipment rentals are available. The daily trail fee is $9, xc ski equipment rental is $11 and snowshoes are $7. Finnish pulks (small lightweight sled that adults can harness around their waists to pull small children on the ski trails) are also available at $5 for a half day.
You can enjoy other activities besides xc skiing at the Farm. There's a country style sleigh ride with Belgian horses that takes you on a tour of The Farm to see the deer and elk preserve. Sleigh rides for overnight guests are $6 per adult and $4 for kids under 13, and $16 for day visitors ($8 per child). After the sleigh ride enjoy hot apple cider, Russian tea, or hot cocoa in the Pickaroon. Indulge in a massage (available by request) or relax in an authentic wood-fired Finnish sauna complete with upper and lower decks, shower, dressing room, and reading room. Take the kids to the sledding hill for tubing, toboggan, and/or sledding or go ice skating on the frozen pond. Free ice skates are available to use in kids and adult sizes. Don't miss the Saturday night talent show and folk music that follows a home-cooked Finnish meal prepared from scratch by your hosts.
Acommodations at the Farm are cottage-like and have modern amenities, wood-burning fireplaces, and comfortable private atmospheres. There are a variety of lodging options for individuals, couples, families, and groups of friends. Each cabin includes a coffee maker, hot cocoa, tea, a microwave and refrigerator. Lodging packages include accommodations and three meals daily. Winter Adventure Weekends, which include Fri-Sat night stay and 5 meals are $242 for adults, $117 for 7-14 year olds, $93 for 3-6 year olds, and free for under 3 year olds. Midweek Sun-Thur stays with a 2-day minimum includes 3 meals/day and is $107.50/$53/$43 and free for under 3 year olds. There are also packages for 3-day weekend stays and Christmas vacation.
Located in Brantwood, WI on WI Highway 8 between Prentice and Tomahawk. Travel times Minneapols = 3.5 hrs, Chicago = 5.5 hrs, Milwaukee = 4.5 hrs, Madison = 3.5 hrs. Greyhound bus to Tomahawk. Minocqua Winter Park and Timm's hill County Trail are nearby.