Winter Olympics boost interest in area snow sports

Wisconsin ice rinks and ski hills are capitalizing on Olympic fever.

At Pettit National Ice Center in West Allis, new sessions of skating lessons are packed with aspiring figure skaters and speedskaters.

Ten rinks from Kenosha to Beaver Dam hosted Try Hockey for Free events in March, sponsored by USA Hockey Inc.

Cascade Mountain in Portage also reported increased ski and snowboard traffic thanks to the Olympic-year bump.

And curling clubs statewide are abuzz following the U.S. men’s gold medal victory. Many, like the Milwaukee Curling Club, have added dozens of Learn to Curl classes for curious novices.

— Rebecca Konya