Winter Activities

The Scenery

There are so many spectacular spots it’s hard to single any out! The region’s beautiful mixture of rolling hills, rocky crags, and tall pines offer some truly scenic hikes, giving nature enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the winter wonderland at its finest. Take a drive along Highway 13 for breathtaking views of Lake Superior ice formations, or out any country road to snowy farm fields and forests. Stop for the views that beckon — don’t forget your YakTracs, snowshoes or cross-country skis. Photo-ops abound! The “Blue Ice” photo at the beginning of this section was taken on Big Bay State Park point trail the same year the Ice Caves created their sensation.   Madeline Island Trails.

Dog-Sledding

A great area dog sled guide is Wolfsong Adventures. They have dog sled day trips and weekend adventures, where you can learn to drive a team of Siberian Husky sled dogs. They have been in business in the Bayfield area since 1997. 

Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowshoeing

Bayfield’s rugged and beautiful wilderness provides some of the most scenic ski and snowshoeing trails in the country — for all ages and levels.

Mt. Ashwabay Alpine and Cross Country Trails Just south of Bayfield at the end of Ski Hill Road. Home to stunning trails perfect for alpine and cross country skiing, as well as snowboarding and showshoeing. Mt Ashwaybay hosts several winter activities and events. Mt Ashwabay offers 12 runs, and 35 km of groomed cross country ski trails, and a tubing and terrain park called Little Willie. Alpine skiers can enjoy more than 65 acres of chairlift-operated slopes, while beginners can develop their skills in their own exclusive area. Mt. Ashwabay also offers a competitive season for avid winter athletes, with NASTAR Races each Sunday giving skiers and snowboarders from across the country the opportunity to race — open to all levels. Mt. Ashwabay’s picturesque cross country ski area features some excellent routes for both classic and skate-style skiers, covering more than 40 kilometers. Also perfect for snowshoers, the trails are regularly maintained and monitored to keep them in prime condition for the whole season. Beginners can embark on the smooth Sugar Bush Trail, while intermediate skiers have the expanse of the Anchor, Seagull and Raven Trails. Advanced skiers can combine the Sugar Bush, Deer Path and Raven Trails to reach Mt. Ashwabay’s chalet. Mt Ashwabay also has some excellent runs for snowboarders.

There are more than 100 miles of snowshoeing and 130 miles of cross country skiing, including the Brownstone Snowshoeing Trail, Big Ravine Snowshoeing Trail, and Mt. Valhalla Cross Country Ski Trail. Many local businesses offer tours and events for cross country skiers and snowshoers.

Snowmobiling

The Bayfield area, benefits from lake effect snow, so snowmobile riders can have an extended snowmobile season. We are close to many inland Bayfield County Snowmobile Trails. There is plenty of room at the cabin to keep your snowmobile and snowmobile trailer in the driveway!

Bayfield County snowmobile trails are well marked and maintained by the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance using a high tech Sno-Plane groomer — reportedly the only one in Wisconsin. There are 600 miles of uncrowded trails throughout Bayfield County. Some of the trails are in non-developed national and state forests and parks. The peace and solitude gives you an unsurpassed experience. The interconnecting trail system allows you to travel to a number of restaurants in the area. You can call 800-472-6338 for current trail conditions or to receive a hard copy of a snowmobile map. Do you need to renew your Wisconsin snowmobile permit? Visit the Wisconsin DNR web page for snowmobile licenses and information.

Ice Caves

The Ice Caves became a world-wide phenomenon in 2014, after social media picked up on the opening after five years of no access due to warm winters. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world came to see the Ice Caves for themselves. The nearly two mile trail to the caves from the Meyer’s Beach access point near Cornucopia is actually over the lake — over the ice that forms during the winter season. Not all years are the same — sometimes the ice doesn’t get thick enough, sometimes it is extremely slick as in 2015, sometimes the trail is only open for a few days, sometimes the trail never opens during a season. But when conditions are right, the Ice Caves are truly a sight to see! Apostle Islands National Lakeshore reports on conditions; so be sure to check to see if they are open!

Here are a few photos I took at the ice caves in 2014. I arrived at the Meyer's Beach area about 1 PM on Monday February 3, 2014. The lot was full, so I parked about 20 cars down the road from the main lot and made the half hour hike to the ice cave area, getting there about 2 PM. I took pictures up until sunset at 5 PM. The best time to visit the ice caves is during the week, as parking is easier, and there aren't so many people in the way of "just a landscape shot."

Hauser's Bayfield Cabin is just 8 miles from the Meyers Beach access point!

Book Across The Bay in February

A cross-country skiing race across the frozen bay between Ashland and Washburn. The race takes place at night; the trail is lit by luminaries, and there are warming stations and entertainment along the course. You don’t have to race! You can ski, snowshoe or walk the course just for fun, too. Music and food at the end of the race in Washburn.

Bayfield Winter Fest in early March

Celebrating Snow, Ice and Cabin Fever! Take the PolarPlunge, do the WinterDash or the Run On Water! Or just have fun watching others…

THE FERRY, WINDSLED OR ICE ROAD TO MADELINE ISLAND

Just before the bay freezes, the ferry travels through a “river of ice”. The Windsled (bring your earplugs!) runs for two to three weeks after the ferry stops and before it starts again, “either side of the Ice Road”. If the islanders are lucky, the bay freezes thick enough for the ice road to open, and they are no longer subject to a schedule to travel to and from the island! Sometimes the road is open for visitors to drive to the island, too. If you drive the Ice Road, please observe the 15 mph speed limit — this limit is not to keep you from sliding on the ice — it is to prevent the ice from oscillating, creating cracks that damage the road and shut it down for everyone!

Check the Madeline Island Chamber website for schedule information for the Windsled and the Ice Road.

At the End of the Day

Returning home to a warm, cozy fire at Hauser’s Bayfield Cabin to wrap up the day is the best part. Winter isn’t the season to hibernate — with so much to see and do in Bayfield, your great outdoor adventure can be as exciting or as relaxing as you want it to be!