Snowmaking News Archive
Check here for past Home Page announcements and articles
January 2020: Local newspapers, including the Freeman and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have recently run nice articles about our Snowmaking efforts and the urgent need for a new snowcat. Here's a Video that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel created (their article ran on Sunday December 29, 2019 in the Travel section, section E pages 7E - 9E).
November 25, 2019: Registration forms for the 2020 Wednesday Nite Ski Series are now available here!
October 20, 2019: Volunteers have been working since late spring to improve equipment and trails. Many piles of mulch have been spread!
July, 2019: Snowmaking gets some visibility at Summerfest, thanks to one of our skiers!
Late Spring, 2019: Ski Dozer Update. The Ski Dozer has been repaired. Thanks to all who contributed to this effort! Remaining funds will be used towards the purchase of better used equipment.
Late Spring, 2019: We have met our 'Ski Dozer' matching goal of $3000!
A very generous donor is matching up to $3,000 of funds raised towards repairing the Ski Dozer, an essential piece of grooming equipment, necessary for making the man-made snow skiable. So far, 34 kind donors contributed a total of $15,969.22! We are still working towards having funds to purchase a good used replacement for the Ski Dozer. You can donate online or by mailing a check (information about how to donate is on the top right side of this webpage), indicating 'Ski Dozer' in memo line. Friends of Lapham Peak, which includes Snowmaking, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, and our EIN is 39-1650068.
April 4, 2019: We have met our 'New Donor' matching goal of $10,000!
85 New Donors contributed $10,558 as of April 4, 2019!
New Donors: A very generous donor is matching $10,000 of funds raised towards snowmaking! Donations from 'New' donors go twice as far if you help now!
We rely heavily on our repeat donors - they are the backbone of snowmaking - without them we would not be expanding. In order to get the next phases completed we need to expand our donor base to all who use the man-made snow and to more business sponsors - so our anonymous donor has generously stepped up to double donations that come in from "New" donors who have not given money to this project in the past. Donate online or by mailing a check (information about how to donate is at the top right side of this webpage). Friends of Lapham Peak, which includes Snowmaking, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, and our EIN is 39-1650068.
January 19, 2019 Lapham Loppet Race Results!
January 1, 2019, Skiathon: 9th Annual New Year's Day Skiathon and Celebrate Snowmaking. Tuesday January 1, 2019.
Last year in the bitter cold we completed 914 K of hiking, running, and skiing. This year we need to complete enough laps while the park is open to beat our record from 2017 of 2244 K of running, hiking, snowshoeing and dog walking. Watch for places to record your mileage in Evergreen Lodge.
This year's Skiathon totals: 1709 K skied by 142 skiers. In addition, 56 hikers, runners and bikers completed 442K. Check out our totals from 2011-2019: Skiathon Totals
December 26, 2018: Lapham Peak Snowmaking in the local news, with WDJT's CBS58 video and broadcast, copyrighted video: "How Wisconsin is coping without snow this Winter" https://cbs58.com/news/how-wisconsin-is-coping-without-snow-this-winter
December 18, 2018: Some early skiers are already out enjoying man-made snow.
December 18, 2018: A donation of snow guns and infrastructure for the expanded loop (Phase 3B and 3C) was accepted by Wisconsin DNR at the October 24 at the DNR's Natural Resources Board meeting. As noted below, volunteers worked on construction and trail restoration so that the trails can be hiked and skied on.
October 26, 2018: Since late last week, volunteers have been getting the trail ready to extend snowmaking 'into the woods.' Construction is on-going at this time. The story is covered in this Journal-Sentinel article.
September 3, 2018: Here is the latest about extending snowmaking trails and how you can help bring snow, 'Into the Woods.'
October 12-13, 2018: Purchase tickets for Fright Hike before they're sold out! This is a Friends of Lapham Peak fundraiser now, for projects including snowmaking.
October 6, 2018: Registration is open for the 30th Annual Colorama Run/Walk and Smokey Bear Fun Run; this is a snowmaking fundraiser.
June 23, 2018: Over 150 people enjoyed the Summer Solstice picnic and snowmaking fundraiser.
June 4, 2018-August 19, 2018: Snowmaking helped others from the Friends of Lapham Peak to spread woodchips on the trails to protect the trails for hiking and skiing. Volunteers worked on several areas in in June, the Big Slide in July, and more areas in August.
June 2, 2018: Bike Swap and Fun Fair - photo's from the event at Lapham Peak!
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May 12, 2018: Work, Play, Earth Day. Over 50 people helped with a number of park projects.
April 6, 2018: Check out our latest newsletter (Spring, 2018) for a summary of our busy Snowmaking year.
January 20, 2018: Visit our Lapham Loppet page to view results of this year's race.
January 1, 2018, UPDATE: During the First Day Ski-a-thon, skiers braved wind chills as low as -34F to complete a total of 578 miles (921 kilometers) on the man-made snow loop.
January 1, 2018: Join us for the First Day Ski on Jan 1st, 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is a combined effort by the Peak Nordic Ski Club and The Friends of Lapham Peak Snowmaking Project. Just drop in (no registration required) during the day to enjoy the man-made Nordic ski trails. Add your distance to the number of recorded skied kilometers for 2018! Bring your water and snacks, and headlamps if you will be skiing when it is dark. Reliable Snow is a wonderful thing to get us all off the couch!
December 28, 2017: Snowmaking continues, with the entire man-made loop being open!
December 26, 2017: Snowmaking is expected to resume this week. At present, a small loop is open that now includes much of Magic Carpet Ride.
December 16, 2017: Skiers began to enjoy skiing on the snow that can be seen being made in the pictures below. A shorter loop with small hills was made and is now in use. More sections will be opened as more snow is made and groomed. Cold temperatures, expected to return later next week, are needed to make more snow.
December 10, 2017: Last week DNR and volunteers began making snow. 
Hopefully a loop will be done by next weekend. Pictures and a movie show the snow guns in action!
November 25, 2017: Hello, Nordic Skiers & Those Who Love Nordic Skiers - You currently have the opportunity to let the DNR know how much you want cross country skiing supported in our part of the state (and beyond). Please go to the following link to learn more about the Recreation Opportunities Analysis or ROA.
There you will have the chance to provide your thoughts and experiences pertaining to outdoor recreation in the Lower Lake Michigan Coastal region (where all of us live). Please go to the link provided there and respond to the questions by Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 11:59pm.
Note: At question #6, feel free to click on "other" and add CROSS COUNTRY SKIING to the list!
August 24, 25, 26 and September 19, 20, 22 and 24, ongoing: Volunteers spread wood-chips on the trail where erosion has occurred in order to smooth out the surface for better skiing. 
More chips will be spread as they become available.
September 19, 2017: Check out the latest Newsletter for updates about fundraising and snowmaking, including 'penguin pals' that skiers can purchase to help to support snowmaking operations.
April 27, 2017: Outdoor Wisconsin visits Lapham Peak:
April 22, 2017: Volunteers participated in an Earth Day trail maintenance event. This involved spreading woodchips and placing erosion mats and straw. Hikers are reminded to please stay off the erosion mats and straw and walk on the woodchips. This will help maintain the trail for hiking and skiing.
April 1, 2017: Another successful Bike Swap to raise funds for snowmaking. Check out the You Tube video.
March 18, 2017: Next Bike Swap: Saturday March 18, 2017 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Cushing Elementary-Buy/Sell Bicycles. A Fun Family Event! Visit Our Bike Swap Page.
May 2016: Snowmaking Water Pipe placed into 6 foot deep trench. The efforts of many are contributing to the success of this project! Retirees, youth and many in-between. Read more here.