Most woodland is in 30 or 40 acre tracts attached to individual farms. Many farmers use income from the woodlots to help pay their taxes each year. In Marathon County emphasis has been placed on reforestation. For the last 10 years, roughly 400,000 trees have been planted each year. Approximately 28,000 acres in the county have been permanently set aside as county forest land for forestry, wildlife and recreation purposes.
Marathon County offers ideal recreation opportunities the year around.
For winter sports enthusiasts, the excellent facilities of Granite Peak Ski Resort at Rib Mountain have made it one of the most famous winter-fun areas of the midwest. There is a rope ski-tow, chair lifts, a large open slope and trails designed for the novice, intermediate and expert skiers. The spacious shelter house is a comfortable place to relax. Many ski meets are held each season. Marathon County maintains five cross-country ski trails totaling 48 miles of trail.