More fun at the Ski Hill

Mt. AshWaBay is a nice ski complex for such a small area. X-Country Trails are extensive!

The ski hill is groomed with a new lift.

Mt. AshWaBay

It's Christmas break from school so that means time for the Ski Hill. It was a bit chilly but you bundle up and have fun. The Ski Hill has a new chair lift and was groomed nicely. If you get cold

you just warm up in the snack bar area.

http://www.mtashwabay.org/

New Year's Eve Party with Big Top Chautauqua

The Christmas Holiday is over, winter is here and it's chilly. What do you do?
Ring in the New Year with Big Top Chautauqua at Stage North in Washburn of course!

http://www.stagenorth.com/home.html

Or you can pound down the Ski Hill which my nephew is doing this holiday.
They have a nice new chair lift and even some snowboard features.

http://www.mtashwabay.org/

If that isn't enough for you this winter there is some Mushing for you to do:

http://www.wolfsongadventures.com/

Off season? What off Season?

Some weather for the Christmas Holiday Season!

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 46.81°N and Longitude 90.81°W: "Thursday: Snow and areas of blowing snow. High near 30. East wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet. Areas of blowing snow. Low around 28. Windy, with a east wind between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Christmas Day: Snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet, becoming all snow after noon. Areas of blowing snow. High near 32. Windy, with a east wind between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%."

Christmas is here.

Christmas is here only when Santa arrives on the Ferry. Apparently in the Northland the reindeer are left at home. Who knew that Santa lived in La Pointe? Perhaps he was a Voyageur that grew old to take on a new role in life?

Channel still open

The channel between Bayfield and Madeline Island is still free of ice. The local fishermen are still catching fish daily. The ferry is still running and it will be interesting to see how long it runs this year before a freeze up. This shot from the Seagull Bay Motel weather cam. Their location is really wonderful as you enter town. At night you can see down the bay and all the way to Ashland when standing on the deck outside of the motel rooms. Below the motel is a nice hiking trail to town which was the former rail bed of a railroad long gone. Bears have been known to use the trail in the early spring after hibernation. They wander into town searching for a easy meal.

Icy cold tonight

Not a soul around on this Cam shot today. Tonight is going to be near zero and perhaps below in some areas. Winter has it's hold on the area. The Chequamegon Bay is iced over and soon many ice fisherman will be on the lake. Stores are open on the weekend for Christmas shoppers.

Milder weather after the storm

Soon the Chequamegon Bay will be covered with ice. But first we have a mild day.

Some areas of the Bay area and Bayfield got near 20 inches of snow. It was a good storm.

Another smaller storm is heading for the area with more chilly air. Santa is arriving on the Madeline Island Ferry today so Christmas season is under way.

Off Season ?

In more ways then we think it's off season. The Apple Orchard is hibernating until next spring.

The quiet season with less activity and less tourists. But that is no longer entirely true, there is skiing and even dog sledding. Ice fishing and para sailing on the lake. Weekends can often be quite active even during the winter.

More snow coming.....

Might as well accept it, it's winter. Time for holiday parades and Christmas plans.Santa will arrive on the ferry soon.

It's here like it or not?

Almost right on time winter has come calling. When does winter start? Meteorological winter started on December 1st.Astronomical winter starts with the winter solstice which occurs some time between December 21 and December 22 each year and is the shortest day of the year.