Tourism Reports
Winter Recreational Report (updated December 19, 2008)
Finally we have some good news for all the winter enthusiasts out there. The weather has been unseasonably cold in our area and last weekend’s winter storm gave us about 9-11 inches of blowing and drifting snow. Also it is snowing now and anticipated to continue throughout the weekend.
Snowmobile and Winter ATV Trails: The majority of the trails managed by the Douglas County Forestry Department are now open and in generally good “early season condition”. A portion of corridor 41 between the intersection of trail 9 & corridors 41 & 4 and the Wild Rivers Trail (an area west of Solon Springs) remains closed for safety reasons. This section will open once the club members and volunteers have removed the deadfalls and the trail is safe for recreational travel.
The following portions of trail not managed by the Douglas County Forestry Department are believed to be open as well:
* The Tri-County Corridor (east of Superior city limits).
* The trail 1 (going north, just west of Brule).
* The trail 27 & 27a (going south from Brule to Lake St. Croix)
* The trail 17 from trail 2 (south of Brule to County Rd. Y).
NW quadrant (city of Superior and surrounding area)- general trail conditions are good with 8-10 inches of new snowfall. No grooming is being done yet due to the recent cold weather. Weather permitting grooming will begin next week.
NE quadrant (Brule area)- general trail conditions are fair with 8-10 inches of new snow. All trails either have been, or are scheduled to be groomed by the weekend.
SW quadrant (Moose Junction, Dairyland area)- General trail conditions area fair with 7-9 inches of new snow. Grooming has begun should be complete by next week.
SE quadrant (Solon Springs)- general trail conditions are fair with about 8 inches of new snow and grooming has been completed.
Snowmobile and Winter ATV maps are available by calling 715-392-2773 or 800-942-5313, or emailing
vacation@superiorchamber.orgTo find local licensing agents or for more information regarding licensing contact the WI Department of Natural Resources 1-888-936-7463 or check out their website
http://dnr.wi.gov/Throughout the season, a detailed recording of updated trail information can be heard by calling (715)-378-4528. For further information or questions please contact the Douglas County Forestry Dept. at (715) 378-2219 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Please stay on the marked trails, be mindful of closures and respectful of property owners and be aware of logging operations in the area.
Douglas County Ski Trails: Douglas County Managed Cross Country Ski Trails – were groomed/packed on 12/16/08 but no track was set. They are working on removing small trees/brush leaning into the trail due to the recent ice storm, and will set track on the trails once there is more snow.
After-hours Cross Country Ski Trail/Brule River State Forest: Conditions are considered good overall. The skate lanes look good and the classic lanes are variable with grass poking through the snow in some spots.
Cross Country Skiing Trails in the Superior Municipal Forest: Trails are open and in fair condition. Trails will be groomed daily as weather permits. Please call 715-395-7299 to hear a recording with the updated conditions. Annual passes ($25 city resident, $30 non-city resident) and day passes ($5 city and non-city resident) can be purchased Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm at the Parks & Recreation office located at 1316 N. 14th St. (2nd floor).
Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding and Tubing at Mont du Lac: Mont du Lac is open please call ahead for hours and conditions 218-626-3797.
Ice Conditions 12/19/08
Some of the “unofficial” reports of ice conditions on a few of the inland lakes in Douglas County range from seven to twelve inches.
A somewhat more official report from our friend Ted at Northwest Outlet; who is an avid fisherman of all seasons and “would get out fishing every day if he could”. Ted tells me the ice fishing is “awesome” and ice conditions are “fantastic” with ice thicknesses anywhere from six to twelve inches on the inland lakes. The steady cold temperatures and little snow are resulting in really great ice for fishing. There are lots of people taking advantage of these wonderful conditions and finding some nice fish. They are catching Walleye & Perch in some of the more southern parts of Douglas County, Walleye and Crappie in Lake Nebagamon and Crappie and Northern on Lake Amnicon.
They are also getting out on some of the back bays and slews of the St. Louis River however it’s not recommended that you head out there until after the shipping season ends and the icebreaker is done breaking ice on the Superior and the St. Louis Bays (around the end of December).
Of course with ice fishing or any other winter activity that takes you out on the ice please use caution. Know the ice your on and always be aware of the ice thickness as well as any changes in ice conditions. Ice is unpredictable due to moving water from springs, inlets and outlets, which may cause the ice to be thinner in some spots. Recommended minimum ice thickness for foot travel is 4 inches, 6 inches or more for a snowmobile or ATV, 8-12 inches for small cars or light trucks and at least 12-15 inches for midsize cars or trucks.
Amnicon Falls Snowshoe Report - For information, please call (715) 398-3000.
Pattison State Park- Cross Country ski trails are groomed and in very good condition with a 3 inch base and eight inches of new snow. For information, please call (715) 399-3111.
Skating Rinks- Out-door municipal ice skating rinks are open as of December 19, 2008. They are open Monday through Friday 4p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each rink is closed one day a week for flooding, check with individual rinks for schedule. For more information, call the recorded hotline at 395-7299.
A SPECIAL EVENTS calendar is available online at
www.superiorchamber.org.
http://www.superiorchamber.org/visitor/reports.asphttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/snow.htm
