Winter                                                 

The lakes freeze early in the north woods and the "Snow Gods" are more than generous.  Our ice anglers, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers relish the beauty and serenity of the snow-covered forest while enjoying their favorite winter sport.  Click here for a snowmobile conditions report.  It is relaxing just to sit back and watch the animals.  The deer are always abundant and fun to watch.

Historically, this area was the railroad hub for the Upper Peninsula.  Now it is the snowmobiling hub connecting every town in the western U.P. with trails in northern Wisconsin.  Abandoned railroad beds are now snowmobile and ATV trails.  Our two local snowmobile club do a wonderful job of maintaining our vast snowmobile trail system.

With snow covering the ground here from November until April, winter sports enthusiasts love our magnificent winters.  Located about an hour’s drive from several downhill ski hills, we have it all! Snowmobile, ice fishing, ski, snowshoe, sled, sightsee, or just relax.  Do a little or do a lot.  You’ll long remember the breathtaking winter scenery and peacefulness here.

For snowmobile trail conditions in the area please feel
free to view them online at SNOW TRACKS.COM - CLICK HERE.

Snowmobiling

Winter snowmobiling excitement runs rampant throughout our area. Hundreds of lakes and acres of state and national forest lands provide a winter wonderland for enthusiastic riders.

Watersmeet Michigan and Land O’ Lakes Wisconsin, located on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula provides an excellent home base for your winter excursions. Trails to the north connect with the serene trail network of the Upper Peninsula. Corridor 6 guides riders across the northern section at the eastern border, through Land O’Lakes as it continues on to Presque Isle.

Land O’ Lakes is the gateway to snowmobiling in the Upper Peninsula with access to Minnesota, Lower Michigan and Wisconsin. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has a reputation for an extensive groomed snowmobile trail network, exciting terrain, and an abundance of snow. In the entire State of Michigan there are over 5,800 miles of snowmobile trails located throughout six state Forest, three National Forests and many acres of privately owned lands. About 230 miles are located in the Ottawa National Forest. Yearly Michigan trail permits are required.

Our area offers the pure enthusiast miles of groomed trails in the north in Upper Michigan and short trips to various Wisconsin towns to the south, east, and west. Gas, rentals, sales, and meals, are within minutes of each lodging facility The snowmobiler can ride from any lodging location without the need of the vehicle that brought them.

Annual snow fall generally is between 100 and 250 inches. With 71  miles of groomed trails that the U.P. Thunder Riders groom based in Watersmeet , trails to the north connect with the serene trail network of the Upper Peninsula. Corridor 6 guides riders across the northern section at the eastern border, into Wisconsin through trails maintained by the Frosty Snowmobile Club  in Land O’Lakes as it continues on to Presque Isle.

Cross-Country Skiing

Forty miles of cross-country ski trails weave through the immediate area.  Twenty miles of these trails are groomed by the local ski touring center in cooperation with the Ottawa National Forest. Motorized grooming is not permitted in the Sylvania Wilderness, but skiers alone keep these trails tracked.  Peace and solitude are the result.  Skiers throughout the midwest are attracted to these natural wilderness trails.

The Ottawa National Forest is host to a variety of cross-country skiing opportunities. There are over 90 miles of ski trails located throughout the area with over half of the miles groomed. Trails range in difficulty from beginner to expert.

Downhill Skiing

Winter sport enthusiasts are attracted to the Upper Peninsula for its abundance of downhill ski resorts. In the Watersmeet area downhill ski areas are located in Ironwood, Iron River, Ontonagon and Iron Mountain.

Snowshoeing

Picture yourself on a snowshoe adventure breaking trail in the peaceful, serene woods. Snowshoers do not require trails and have the freedom to travel anywhere.