Go for Gold: Try Winter Sports in Middleton
Feeling inspired by the Winter Olympics? Channel your inner athlete right here in Middleton.
Wisconsinites don’t believe in staying inside during the colder months, and instead enjoy outdoor rec year-round, which has since created quite a few medal-winning Olympians in summer and winter games. The 2026 winter games were no exception, with 25 athletes with ties to Wisconsin competing in Milan for the Olympics and Paralympics.
Even if worried about current snowfall, many local winter recreation spots have snowmaking abilities, indoor facilities, or can be used year-round, regardless of snowfall.
Middleton and the surrounding area make it easy to channel your inner “Winter Olympian.” From cross-country skiing on groomed trails to skating, curling and downhill adventures just a short drive away, opportunities to try winter sports are still in full swing.
Cross Country Skiing
In Middleton
CXC Outdoor Community Center
Thanks to snowmaking machines and frequent grooming, the CXC Outdoor Community Center delivers reliable conditions from December through March, even when Mother Nature is unpredictable. When operating at full capacity, skiers can explore up to 13 kilometers of scenic snow-covered trails designed for both skate skiing, classic diagonal striding, and making new memories that will last a lifetime. Whether building endurance or stepping into skis for the first time, trails accommodate all ability levels.
Even more exciting, the Middleton Nordic Center is currently under construction and expected to open in the summer of 2026. By winter, skiers will have access to a central hub for lessons, rentals and a warm place to regroup after logging miles on the trails.
Ski passes are available online or at Middleton City Hall. For up-to-date trail conditions, check the center’s Facebook or Nordic Pulse before heading out.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
When snowfall cooperates, Pheasant Branch Conservancy offers a scenic option for ungroomed cross-country skiing. Multi-use trails loop around the 682-acre conservancy, creating a peaceful winter experience. And when there isn’t snow, running up Fredrick’s Hill can be the perfect dryland training for the ski mountaineering enthusiasts. No trail pass is required.
Nearby Options
Elver Park (Madison, 10 minutes)
Elver Park maintains weekly groomed trails throughout the winter and offers equipment rentals during open hours. A trail pass is required.
Governor Nelson State Park (Waunakee, 15 minutes)
Governor Nelson State Park features 3.2 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails that wind through woodland and prairie landscapes. A state park admission sticker and trail pass are required.
Ice hockey, figure skating and open ice
Wisconsin’s deep skating tradition, from youth hockey programs to competitive figure skating clubs and collegiate powerhouses, continues to produce Olympians. The gold-winning 2026 U.S. women’s hockey team is stacked with 12 former and current University of Wisconsin Badgers, led by hockey coach Mark Johnson, a star player on the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. hockey team from the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games, scoring two of the four goals against the Soviet Union and securing gold for the United States (also represented in the Disney movie, “Miracle”).
Indoor Rinks
Bob Suter’s Legacy20 Arena
There is another nod to the famous 1980 U.S. men’s gold-winning hockey team. Named for the Wisconsin hockey legend and Olympic gold medalist, Bob Suter’s Legacy20 Arena is the go-to spot for indoor skating in Middleton. The arena is home to club hockey and games, and has hosted international hockey championships and national curling competitions. It offers both open skate and open skills sessions, which are added to the schedule biweekly. Visitors must create an account online to view available dates and register.
Open skills sessions cost $15 and are designed for those looking to practice hockey fundamentals. Full protective equipment is required and pucks and nets are provided. Open skate sessions cost $10, with skate rentals and skating aids available for beginners. Hockey is not permitted during open skate times.
Outdoor Rinks
Many journeys begin on simple neighborhood rinks. In fact, Wisconsin speed skater Jordan Stolz first practiced on a backyard pond rink before going on to set Olympic records in the 500 meters.
When temperatures cooperate, several neighborhood-maintained ponds in Middleton have casual outdoor skating. These include Stricker Pond, Tiedeman Pond, Middleton Hills Pond and Esser Pond. Use is at your own risk.
The City of Middleton also maintains outdoor rinks at Parkside Heights Park and Meadows Park. Check the Middleton Parks Department Facebook for current ice conditions.
For a unique skating experience or if in need of skate rentals, drive 25 minutes to Tenney Park in Madison. Often recognized by Midwest Living as one of the best outdoor skating spots in the region, the 37-acre lagoon off Lake Mendota offers a scenic skating loop that passes under bridges and winds through the park. Special winter events like Glow and Glide nights and movie nights on the ice take place throughout the season.
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
If the downhill and snowboard events make you want to chase speed, catch air or carve your first confident turn, you do not have to head to the Rockies. Base yourself in Middleton and you’re within easy reach of several ski areas offering plenty of vertical, terrain parks and adrenaline-pumping runs. Spend the day on the slopes, then return to Middleton to warm up, refuel and relive your favorite runs.
Tyrol Basin (Mount Horeb, 28 minutes)
The closest ski hill to Middleton, Tyrol Basin is a favorite for locals looking to maximize time on the slopes.
With 300 vertical feet, more than 25 runs and four terrain parks, Tyrol welcomes skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. It’s also one of the most affordable hills in the region and, when conditions line up, one of the few Midwest spots known to feature an occasional halfpipe for riders ready to take it up a notch.
Devil’s Head Resort (Merrimac, 40 minutes)
For a larger hill experience, Devil’s Head is just a short drive away, and features 500 vertical feet, six lifts and a longest run of 3,500 feet across 30 acres of terrain. Freestyle enthusiasts can head to the Sidewinder Terrain Park, which typically includes more than 35 features and five jumps throughout the season.
Cascade Mountain (Portage, 45 minutes)
Cascade Mountain rounds out the trio with 48 runs, 11 lifts and three terrain parks. The variety of runs makes it a solid option for mixed-skill groups. Families take note: Kids age 12 and under ski free with a paying adult, making Cascade an appealing choice for introducing the next generation of winter athletes to the sport.
Curling
Madison Curling Club (McFarland, 22 minutes)
The Madison Curling Club provides an opportunity to try one of the most strategic sports. During the curling season, which runs from late October through March, the club hosts on-ice instructional experiences for groups with no prior experience required.
Sessions include equipment, two hours of ice time and about 45 minutes of basic instruction. Group rentals require 12 – 48 participants and cost $75 per person. Rentals can be scheduled through the club's website.
Luge (Sort of)
Okay, we’ll admit it: Wisconsin does not have a place to try luge. But when you stay in Middleton, you’re within reach of a thrill that comes close.
Just 50 minutes away in the Wisconsin Dells is the state's first mountain coaster, a gravity-driven ride that delivers high-speed excitement, scenic views and plenty of twists and turns along its 3,800-foot track. Riders can reach speeds up to 27 mph, a solid introduction compared to luge, where athletes average around 87 mph. Best of all, the coaster operates year-round, making it an easy winter day trip from Middleton when you want that crisp air and snow-covered scenery that feels straight out of the Winter Games. While planning your outing, check out our nearby attractions map to discover even more stops to add along the way.