Ski

image of ski boot

Nordic Trails

BIRKEBEINER TRAIL

DRUMMOND TRAIL

  • Phone: 715-373-2667, ext. 1
  • Drummond Ski Trail Map
  • Trail Conditions - scroll to bottom of the page after clicking the link
  • Directions: From Drummond drive southeast 1 mile on FR 213. Turn left (east) on the access road and continue 0.1 miles to the Drummond trailhead.

The Drummond Ski Trail system is located on gentle terrain. The trail is located in a northern hardwood forest that has inclusions of large white pine. The North Country Trail loop, the Racetrack, and Playground are located in more rolling terrain.

Trail lengths:

  • Antler 3.2 kilometers
  • Antler Chute 2.6 kilometers
  • Boulevard 9 kilometers
  • Jackrabbit 6 kilometers
  • North Country Trail Loop 0.9 kilometers
  • Playground 4.5 kilometers
  • Racetrack 4.5 kilometers

JERRY J. JOLLY TRAIL

  • Phone: 715-373-6114
  • Trail Conditions
  • Mt. Ashwabay / Jolly Trail Map
  • Directions: Access is via Highway 13 between Washburn and Bayfield. As soon as you pass the State Fish Hatchery, take a left on Hatchery Road and head up the hill until you come to a four-way intersection and stop sign. Turn left on Star Route Road and follow for 2.25 miles. The Jerry Jolly Trail parking lot is on the left. Parking, maps, and a restroom are provided.

In 2005 Jerry Jay Jolly donated 73 acres to the people of Bayfield County. The entire 11 kilometer trail system is available for snowshoeing and hiking free of charge (alongside groomed ski trail). There is a 2 kilometer classic ski trail through very scenic ravine and forest (no fee required, but donations accepted to offset grooming expenses). It connects to the 40 kilometer Mt. Ashwabay Trail System (trail pass required - see description below).

 MT. ASHWABAY

Trail distances vary (42 kilometers of trails in total). A range of skiing opportunities on cross-country trails - easy to challenging - depending on your route. The Raven Trail winds through stands of birch and balsam, eventually bringing you to the top of the ski hill and a spectacular view of the Apostle Islands. Be warned, the Deer Path Trail veers off to your left and continues around the top of Mt. Ashwabay on a 9-mile loop back to the chalet. To your right, as you face the ski hill, the Sugarbush and Anchor trails offer fairly level terrain out to the Nourse Sugarbush State Natural Area, a beautiful stand of old growth maple and hemlock.

NAMEKAGON TRAIL

  • Phone: 715-634-4821
  • Trail Conditions
  • Namekagon Trail Map
  • Directions: From Cable, drive 11 miles east on County Highway M to County Highway D. Turn left on D and drive 5.5 miles to Forest Road 209. Turn left and drive 0.5 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road.

NORTH END TRAILS

  • Phone: 715-798-3599
  • Trail Conditions
  • North End Trails Map
  • Directions: Take County Highway M east from Cable. Go 2 blocks and turn right on Randysek Road. Go 2 miles south to North End trailhead.

ROCK LAKE TRAIL

  • Phone: 715-634-4821
  • Trail Conditions
  • Rock Lake Trail Map
  • Directions: From State Highway 63 in Cable, drive 7.5 miles east on County Highway M. The parking lot and Rock Lake trailhead is on the right (south) side of the road (parking fee required).

This trail is managed primarily as a classic style cross-country ski trail. Hiking on the Rock Lake Trail is best in the short segments between Forest Road 207 and the lakes - Rock Lake, Frels and Hildebrand Lakes, or Spring Lake. The Rock Lake Trail is a narrow trail that traverses rolling to hilly terrain. The two longest loops pass a number of small scenic lakes. The trail is located in a maple and oak forest that has occasional stands of large white pine. Trail lengths: 2 kilometer, 4 kilometer, 7.1 kilometer, 11.5 kilometer, and 16 kilometer.

TOMAHAWK LAKE TRAIL

  • Phone: 715-795-2782
  • Trail Conditions
  • Directions: Take Highway A south from Iron River 12 miles. Turn right on Barnes Road. Take Barnes Road for 3 miles. Proceed straight onto Island Lake Road when Barnes Road turns south. After 1 mile, turn left onto Moore Road. Take Moore Road for 1.5 miles. Trails are on both sides of the road.

VALHALLA RECREATION AREA

  • Phone: 715-373-2667
  • Trail Conditions
  • Valhalla Trail Map
  • Directions: From Washburn, drive 8.5 miles west/northwest on County Hwy C. The parking lot is on the left (south) side of the road. A parking fee is required.

This ski trail is centered around the Valhalla Chalet, which provides a shelter from the weather and a warming fire (new warming building and bathroom in 2012). The Teuton ski trails are located in an oak forest and have relatively long uphills and downhills. The trails begin at the parking lot and climb with no flats until they reach the top. The Valkyrie ski trails are located in an open red pine stand north of Highway C. During the snow-free season, mountain biking, hiking, and running are allowed on both trail systems.

Trail lengths

  • Teuton Ski Trails:
    • Loop A 3.5 kilometers
    • Loop B 5.3 kilometers
    • Loop C 6.6 kilometers
    • Benchmark Loop 3.5 kilometers
  • Valkyrie Trails:
    • Loop A 2 kilometers
    • Loop B 3.5 kilometers
    • Loop C 9.9 kilometers
Snowboarder at Mt. Ashwabay

ALPINE SKIING & Snowboarding

MT. ASHWABAY

Mt. Ashwabay is a fantastic place to downhill ski, cross-country ski, snowboard, and just hang out! Located 3 miles south of Bayfield off Highway 13, Mt. Ashwabay features 317 feet of vertical drop and 13 runs, as well as more than 40 kilometers of some of the best groomed XC trails in the Northwoods.

Food and beverage service is available in the chalet along with a fireplace for warming up. A great selection of rental equipment is available.

Mountain (Hill) Statistics

  • Base Elevation: 963 feet (294 meters)
  • Summit Elevation: 1,286 feet (392 meters)
  • Vertical Drop: 317 feet (97 meters)
  • Skiable Area: 65 acres (26 hectares)
  • Annual Snowfall: 120 inches (305 centimeters)
  • Number of Lifts: 2 (1 rope tow and 1 chairlift)
  • Number of Trails: 13
  • Longest Run: 1,500 feet (457 meters)