Reporter:snobuddies
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 8-10 inches
Date of Report: January 4, 2018
Area Report:
Conover trails continue to be in Fair condition. Cold temps for the past two weeks have kept trails OK. We could use more snow to freshen things up. As always, ride right, ride safe and keep the track side down!!
Reporter:minocqua
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 8-10 in the woods
Date of Report: January 4, 2018
Area Report:
We received a few inches yesterday to help with our trails, more snow in the forecast for the end of the weekend, most of our trails are in fair to good with some icy corners, trails in the woods are in good condition, trails near town are in fair and could use more snow, Some swamp areas are frozen but rough until we get more snow. Most all our lakes are marked so stay on trail. We will continue to groom and they are doing a good job with what we have.
News and Reports:
Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Poor
Snow Cover: 8
Date of Report: January 4, 2018
Area Report:
Ely Area Trail Conditions – Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Snowfall Depth: 8 inches
Snowmobile Trails
Ely Area Lakes & Trails: With the subzero temperatures, many of the lakes and wetlands are gaining ice at a rapid pace. Please continue to use caution while crossing areas of ice – lakes, ponds, wetlands or rivers. Areas may still have thin ice due to fast moving waters, underground springs, etc. Test ice all the way to your destination to ensure safe travel. Fall Lake is all staked. East and West of the Power Dam with Thin Ice signs and also staked from 13 Corners to Longbranch and to Cedar Lake Portage. No trails are groomed in these areas.
Echo Trail: No trails are groomed or staked in this area.
Taconite Trail: Snow – 6-12” depth Base – 1-2” Groomed – partially Condition – poor The Taconite is currently groomed from Tower to the Arrowhead State Trail junction and is in poor condition. We are anticipating grooming to Ely if snow conditions allow.
Arrowhead Trail: Snow – 10-16” depth Base –1-3” Groomed – partially Condition – fair The Arrowhead is groomed to the Olson Road just north of the Cook Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trail and is in fair condition. We will continue grooming north to Melgeorges in the next couple of days and further as conditions allow. Also beware of and slow down for logging activity in throughout the trail.
Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail: Base – 1” Groomed – no Condition – poor The trail remains ungroomed and rough due to low snow conditions. Be aware of rocks and frozen ruts in sections throughout the trail.
Lake Vermilion State Park and Soudan Underground Mine State Park: Snow 6-12”, Base – 0”, Condition – poor, no grooming
Tomahawk Trail & Local Trail Sections: Snow 8” depth, Base – 0” Groomed – no Condition – poor Trail is cleared from Ely to Mattila Shelter. Groomer reports that there are pressure ridges on the lakes – use extreme caution if traveling on lakes with a snowmobile. Mud Creek is packed but not groomed. Crews are working on the trail between Mattila Shelter and Isabella hoping to have it cleared by Friday. Some area lakes are staked and crews hope to complete staking next week. If you are willing to help with trail cleaning or other maintenance, please contact the Ely Igloo Club.
Stony Spur & Taconite Spur: These sections will be groomed sometime over the weekend. More snow is needed to groom from the Taconite Spur to the Ridge.
For all trails, use caution due to spots with low snow, rocks, and frozen ruts. There are active logging operations on multiple sections of the trails. Please travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right.
Snowmobile Information:
2018 Northland 300 Snowmobiling for Special Olympics January 24-28, 2018 Join us for a fantastic fundraiser that benefits the athletes of Special Olympics. Rides are based out of the Grand Ely Lodge. For more details, visit www.northland300.org. Details regarding fees and fundraising available at website. Fees: Visit website for details
FunRun Snowmobile Event January 27, 2018 All Day Come join in on the fun at this year’s Annual Fun Run Snowmobile ride in the Ely Area. Participants travel by car or snowmobile to check points in Ely, Babbitt and Tower for chances to win prizes. Hundreds of great prizes! Money raised goes to support Snowmobile Trails in the Ely, Babbitt, and Tower area. Visit our Facebook page for additional details.
Ely Winter Fest February 1 – 11, 2018 Ten days of winter fun in Ely. Snow carvings in the park, art in merchant windows, food, music, winter sports and many other events. Fun for the entire family. Don’t miss out on this spectacular annual event! Click on the “More Information” button below to access the event website. Most events are free – see website for details on specific events and fees.
Pink Ribbon Riders 12th Annual Minnesota Snow Run February 23-24, 2018 Join us for the 12th Minnesota Snow Run fund raiser hosted by the Pink Ribbon Riders. Funds raised provide direct financial assistance to breast cancer patients. Multiple participation levels. Registration fee. Open to men and women. Grand Ely Lodge 400 N Pioneer Road, Ely, MN, 55731
WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race February 25, 2018 | All Day A premier mid-distance sled dog race spanning 65 miles through northern Minnesota’s State Trail system. The WolfTrack Classic is known for it unrelenting hills that test the stamina of mushers and dogs across the scenic north woods terrain. Join mushers following the race at the Awards Banquet. All events are open to the public. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact planners at volunteer@wolftrackclassic.com.
Reporter:Manitowish Waters Chamber
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 9-12 inches
Date of Report: January 4, 2018
Area Report:
Report by Barry Hopkins- Snowmobile Club President
Our trails are fair to good. I would probably really lean closer to good. We groomed last night and our trails are flat. Maybe 2″ snow Tuesday night and it’s snowing lightly today. Trail #11 from Winchester to Wakefield is now open. Trail 11 is a bit rough in spots, but that should improve with some snow. We continue to hear good things from the riders. Have fun and ride safe!
News and Reports:
Sno-Skeeter Snowmobile Breakfast Fundraiser
Sunday, January 14, 2018
8:00 A.M. to Noon
Location: Ye Olde Shillelagh Irish Pub – 14202 Tower Rd.
Sno-Skeeter Snowmobile Breakfast/Guns and Roses Drawing
Sunday, February 4, 2018
8:00 A.M. to Noon
Location: The Pea Patch – Downtown Hwy W.
Breakfast at The Pea Patch. Drawing for Guns and Roses Raffle at noon.
Sno-Skeeter Snowmobile Winter Rendezvous
Saturday, February 17, 2018
9:30am to 6:30pm
Location: Rest Lake Park – Hwy W
The area’s biggest ice fishing contest with prizes awarded in 8 categories, sponsored by the Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters Snowmobile Club. Ice fishing contest runs from 10:30am until 5:30pm, with more chances to win raffle prizes if you pre-register at Townline Sports or Lakeland True Value. Tent opens at 9:30am for registration. Opening ceremony begins at 10am. Ice fishing awards at 6pm. This family event has activities for all: kid’s games, free groomer rides, racing and photos with the “Famous Klements Racing Sausages” and live music.
Food and refreshments are served in a 40’ x 40’ heated tent and raffle items including: ice auger, ice shack, generator, snowmobile and many more items.
Stay for the event’s finale – spectacular fireworks over frozen Rest Lake.
Dress accordingly, this event is held on Rest Lake just off of Rest Lake Park’s boat landing on Hwy W, 1/4 mile north of Manitowish Waters. Parking is available in the Rest Lake Parking Lot.
Snowmobile Information:
The Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters snowmobile club was founded in 1968 and is one of the oldest snowmobile clubs in existence today in Wisconsin. Located in the very northwest corner of Vilas county, 
Manitowish Waters borders the Lake Superior snow-belt country. With average snowfalls of 150 inches and over 25 miles of professionally groomed trails, the area is one of Vilas County’s top winter vacation areas.
The Manitowish Waters trail system is a unique hub network directly linking into 5 other trail systems. With Minocqua/Woodruff to our south, St. Germain/Eagle River to our southeast, Lake Gogebic to our north, Presque Isle/Winchester to our northeast, Mercer and Hurley to our northwest and Lac du Flambeau/Price County to our west, our area residents and guests can choose from a variety of daily or overnight destinations for scenic riding with excellent pit stops along the way.
The Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters maintain an active grooming schedule for the area’s trail system. Coordinated efforts with the surrounding communities provide continuous smoothly-groomed trails in this northwest sector. The Sno-Skeeters own and operate some of the newest grooming equipment on the market today. Support the club by attending their special events or contributing to the “trail pigs” at local establishments along the trails. Or show your support by becoming a member!
Enjoy, and please ride responsibly and safely!
Reporter:SaynerStar Lake Barnstormers
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 8 to 10 inches (+/-) in the woods
Date of Report: January 4, 2018
Area Report:
All of our trails were groomed last night. Everything is flat and averages out fair to good throughout our system. We did get an inch or two of fresh snow. It was pretty fluffy but anything is better than nothing!!! It would be great if we got some wetter snow – something we can really form a better base with. We are doing what we can with what we have to work with!!!
Most area lakes are marked – please stay by the markers when you cross. If you come up on a lake that is not marked – do not cross. Areas of slush can come and go, so please always be cautious and ready for anything. Spots where there was a slushy spot but it is now frozen can be extremely rough. Please use caution on any lake you cross.
News and Reports:
There are logging operations in the following locations: Trail 9 between Hwy 70 (TIN 364) and Ross Lake Rd (TIN 225), Trail 7 between Wharton Lake Rd (TIN 218) and Old K (Tin 217), and Trail 7 between Hwy K (TIN 216) and Lake Laura Rd (TIN 214). There is also logging in the Jean Lake Rd area of Trail 7 North, between TINS 227 & 800. That logging should be in the woods off the trail.
(TIN = Trail Intersection Numbers)
Please watch out for these logging areas. Slow down and stay out of the way of the loggers. DO NOT hassle the loggers. They have the right to close down sections of any trail they are logging near or using. If they get hassled too much, that is exactly what they will do – shut that trail down.
Snowmobile Information:
We have a Breakfast Fundraiser Coming up this month at Stillwaters in Star Lake, on Sunday January 21st – 8AM to 11AM. (Click below for a list of all our fundraisers)
Reporter:Holly t
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: Hard base with snow but thin
Date of Report: January 4, 2018
Area Report:
Overcast morning with 4 for a high today. 70% chance of SNOW Saturday night into Sunday Morning. Trails can really use some fresh SNOW. So Do the Snow Dance! No grooming last night into this morning.
Catfish Lake Loop & Eagle Lake Trails are now both marked and officially open. Please stay by the barrels to be safe. Reminder the Catfish Lake Loop to Lumpy’s is NO LONGER a trail.
If you are riding zip on over to the “grade” to check the progress of the building of the ICE CASTLE!!!! When complete it will be along side the trail where it runs by the Historic Railroad Grade. Check out this link Eagle River Ice Castle to check on progress if you aren’t up here!
Keep Dancin! The trails really need more SNOW!
See ya on the trails!
Holly Tomlanovich
Communications Chair
Sno-Eagles, Inc.
PROUD GROOMERS OF THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Phone Trail Updates 715.479.5185
Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club
News and Reports:
January – Every Wednesday & Thursday – Sno-Eagles Guided Trail Ride. Meet at the Historic Railroad Depot on Trail 13 in town at 9am. All are welcome. Guided Trail Ride today at 9am!!!!
The 2018 Sno-Eagles Club Membership snowmobile trip is planned for Wed., Jan. 31 to Fri. Feb. 2. (with a possible extension to Montreal, WI on Fri., Sat. and Sun. if there is interest). We are re-scheduling the trip that was melted out last year. Destination: Konteka Black Bear Resort, White Pine, MI. This is a small resort with a bar & bowling alley. It’s about a 100 mile ride from Eagle River. Mark your calendars now for this fun event. This is a 3 day snowmobile ride (or drive) to a destination for fun, friendship, and lots of silliness with fellow Sno-Eagles members. Event Chairs, Marv & Carol Radloff have reserved all of the rooms at the Resort for SnoEagles. Call 906-885-5170 to reserve your room. Do it soon before all the rooms have been spoken for. The final date to reserve under the room block is January 6, 2018. After that you are at the whim of other sledders. WHEN THEY’RE GONE – THEY’RE GONE. Call Carol at 715-479-5153 for more details.
Snowmobile Information:
Handy Snowmobile Links
Wisconsin Snowmobile Registration
Discount Trail Pass for Snowmobile Club Members – $10
Reporter:AJ’s Walleye Lodge
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: Good
Date of Report: January 3, 2018
Area Report:
Lake Gogebic Trail Report
Forecast for the next few days is calling for single digits for highs and below zero for our lows with snow for the next 4 days and a foot predicted by Friday. Looking outside – it appears that we might just get dumped tonight as it is snowing pretty hard right now. The cold temps are doing a good job firming up the wet spots, but as you may have seen on the Gogebic Area Groomers Facebook page, we still have some places that still are wet (8 West).
Overall, trail conditions are very good to fair, with the good to excellent being in the Bergland area and North and the fair trails with thin snow coverage are those on the south end of the Lake. We are hoping that this snow help us out on the South end.
Trail highlights as of 1/2/18:
Call for availability – weekends are selling out – weekdays are a great option!!
Jim & MB
906-575-3557
Reporter:AJ’s Walleye Lodge
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: Good
Date of Report: January 3, 2018
Area Report:
Welcome to the winter of 2018 – a season to remember for sure!
Forecast for the next few days is calling for single digits for highs and below zero for our lows with snow for the next 4 days and a foot predicted by Friday. Looking outside – it appears that we might just get dumped tonight as it is snowing pretty hard right now. The cold temps are doing a good job firming up the wet spots, but as you may have seen on the Gogebic Area Groomers Facebook page, we still have some places that still are wet (8 West).
Overall, trail conditions are very good to fair, with the good to excellent being in the Bergland area and North and the fair trails with thin snow coverage are those on the south end of the Lake. We are hoping that this snow help us out on the South end.
Trail highlights as of 1/2/18:
That’s it for now – call us for availability – check out our weekday rates!!!
906-575-3557
Jim & MB
Reporter:Oconto County Tourism
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 5-7
Date of Report: January 3, 2018
Area Report:
Red Arrow Townsend – Trails opening on 1/4/18 at 8:00am.
Paul Bunyan Riders – Trails opening on 1/4/18 at 8:00am.
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club – Trails opening on 1/4/18 at 8:00am.
Bagley & Brazeau – The trails are from fair to poor with 5 to 7”of snow. The trails in the woods are the best area to ride. The groomers have been out two days and will be out Friday also. Be sure to watch for the groomers on the trails. The marshes and wet areas need to freeze up more before they can get groomed. We do not know the condition of the Lakes so I would not ride on them at all.
Gillett Sno ATV Riders – Trails OPEN on Sunday, December 31st at 8:00 am. Trails are in fair to good condition and groomed. Grooming will continue to take place regularly. Corridor 7 heading south out of Gillett to Shawano will be closed until we get more snow. Remember early season conditions exist.
Oconto Falls Sno Jokers – Trails are CLOSED.
Lena – Trails are CLOSED.
Chase Sno-Chasers – Trails are CLOSED.
Reporter:Phil
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: a couple inches of fresh
Date of Report: January 3, 2018
Area Report:
Rode trail 6 last night with Leo, Manny, and family and the trail was smooth and in good condition. It did not hurt that we met the groomer twice. We received a little fresh snow last night and today and some more would definitely be welcomed. The groomers are out regularly and doing a great job with what they have to work with.
News and Reports:
Comedy Night Sunday, Jan 14 at the Gateway Lodge 6:00 pm show and proceeds go to the Frosty Club!!!
Call 715 547 3321 for more info or tickets.
Snowmobile Information:
Ride Safe.