When you think of hot beds for American Nordic Skiing, states like Alaska, Colorado, New York, and Vermont come to mind. However, you need to add Wisconsin to this list. Ariens Nordic Center, located in Brillion, is a world-class addition to Calumet County’s recreational landscape as well as the North American Nordic Skiing and Biathlon scene. With its expertly designed trails that flow through picturesque Wisconsin hills, this facility delivers a truly memorable experience to any and all Nordic Skiing enthusiasts.
The Ariens family, a part of the fabric of Calumet County for parts of three centuries, knows snow. It is famous for the Ariens Sno Thro an iconic machine seen all over the world where snow flies and needs to be removed from walkways, driveways, and public facilities. As an extension of this history, Ariens Nordic Center is inspired by the Ariens family’s sponsorship of the US Biathlon team. Created to be one of North America’s epicenters for Biathlon and Nordic Skiing training and development, Ariens Nordic Center is so much more.
Open to the public year-round, Ariens Nordic Center includes 5 kilometers of lighted trails for cross-country skiing designed by internationally acclaimed Morton Trails. It also is home to a state-of-the-art pioneering 20-point Kurvinen Biathlon Target System and includes a robust snowmaking system covering all trails, a 3K paved roller ski loop, a 10-million-gallon pond for snowmaking, and many other great amenities. From recreational fans to US Olympic athletes, Ariens Nordic Center has become a silent sports athlete’s training dream.
Paul Schommer, a US Biathlon Olympian who has trained at Ariens Nordic Center, is amazed at the amenities of the complex. “When I came and toured the area I was just blown away. Introducing people, to get them out here, and to realize what we have here, that’s the biggest thing. To realize and understand how special this facility really is and to take advantage of it.” Schommer, originally from the area understands the importance that Ariens Nordic Center holds for Calumet County and beyond.
Ariens Nordic Center is an outdoor recreation center that offers Nordic Skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, roller skiing, inline skating, quad skating, hiking, running, walking, fat biking, snowshoeing, and swimming. Located minutes from the Fox Cities and Green Bay and a less than a three-hour drive from Chicagoland getting out to Ariens Nordic Center to enjoy the quiet beauty of the facility is almost a Zen-like experience.
However, Ariens Nordic Center is more than just a recreational facility. It is also a community asset where people can come together to enjoy music, special events, and more. In August of 2024, Ariens Nordic Center played host to country music legend Jason Aldean who performed live to an estimated crowd of 2,500 people. Additionally, international competitions have also been part of the fabric of Ariens Nordic Center. This year, Ariens Nordic Center will host the 2025 World Snowshoe Championships, US Snowshoe Championships and Open Championships from February 27–March 2, 2025. These prestigious events will not only showcase elite athletes but will also celebrate the spirit of community and outdoor recreation in Wisconsin’s scenic winter landscape.
