Cross County Skiing - The Parks Division of the City of Madison groomed the trails at Monona Golf Course, Odana Golf Course and Elver Park today. The other trails have also been groomed within the last two days..

The warming shelters at both Odana Golf Course and Elver Park will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Skis will be available for rent at both locations. Prices are: Adults $10.00 for the first hour and $5.00 for each additional hour. Children age 15 and under are $5.00 per hour. These prices include the cost of a daily ski permit.

Sledding - There are sledding hills at Hiestand, Olbrich and Warner Parks on the Eastside and at Arbor Hills, Elver and Huegel Jamestown Parks on the Westside.

Outdoor Ice Rinks: Crews are checking the ice depth to determine when it will be safe to put equipment on the ice so that skaters will be able to enjoy their favorite winter activity. At this time the ice is not safe for that equipment. Please bear with us as we wait for significant cold weather to penetrate the layer of snow on top of the thin ice. The danger of the Parks equipment breaking thru the ice is equivalent to the snowmobiles and ATV's that are going thru the ice. While it does not appear that there is open water under the snow, there is not a good ice base. It takes a minimum of 6 to 8 days of significantly below freezing conditions to produce safe ice. Nighttime temperatures of single digits will increase the depth of the ice.

The public may call 266-4711 for more information or log on to our website at www.cityofmadison.com/parks. Please listen to your local radio and/or TV station for the latest conditions.