Winter Recreation
Douglas County is a winter wonderland
Winter is no time to hibernate — get out and enjoy the beauty of Douglas County’s snowy season. Whether you prefer to take in the smells, sights, and sounds of a peaceful snowshoe through the woods, or the exhilaration of downhill skiing, Douglas County has plenty of cold weather activities to keep you moving all winter long.
Snowshoeing
When the snow falls, trade in your hiking boots and strap on the snowshoes. Several of our great hiking trails transform into snowshoe trails once the ground is covered in white, fluffy snow.
The North Country National Scenic Trail is a great place to snowshoe in the winter. The North Country National Scenic Trail is actually the longest hiking trail in the United States, connecting North Dakota with New York. The trail starts at the source of the Bois Brule River and meanders through the Douglas County Wildlife Area. For more information on the North County National Scenic Trail, click here.
The Old Historical Bayfield Hiking/Snowshoe trail offers 2.3 miles of snowshoeing fun, with a great overlook of Lake Superior. The trail is located in the Brule River State Forest. For more information, click here.
Douglas County’s state parks also offer superb snowshoeing opportunities. Check out the covered foot bridge at Amnicon Falls State Park and snowshoe a loop around the park. Take in the beauty of the Big Falls Trail with a half-mile of intermediate snowshoeing, or the Natural Trail with two miles of easy to intermediate trail at Pattison State Park. For more information, click here.
Three state trails, which are primarily used by snowmobiles and ATVs, are also open to snowshoeing and cross country skiing. However, the trails are not groomed, and skiers and snowshoers must share the trail with snowmobiles. For more information, click here.
Cross Country Skiing
Douglas County is home to more than 30 miles of groomed cross country skiing trails, located throughout the area. The scenic trails appeal to everyone from beginner to advanced skiers.
The City of Superior Municipal Forest Ski trails are located near the City of Superior, with more than 16 miles of groomed trails for beginner to advanced skiers. Part of the trail system is designated for skate skiing. For more information on the City of Superior Cross Country Ski Trails, click here.
The Douglas County Forest contains more than 10 miles of groomed ski trails overlooking the scenic St. Croix River and pine forests, located between the Towns of Solon Springs and Gordon just off of Highway 53. Trails are groomed during the winter season for classic track skiing. For more information on the Douglas County cross country ski trails, click here.
The Afterhours Ski Trail is located in the Brule River State Forest, and boasts more than 15 miles of well-maintained trails for both classic and skate skiing. The Afterhours Ski Trail is located west of the Town of Brule on Afterhours Road, just south of U.S. Highway 2. Parking, a heated shelter, and restrooms are available. Visit the Brule Valley Ski Club website for more information on the Afterhours Ski Trail, or download this printable brochure PDF.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Mont du Lac Recreation offers 11 runs for skiers, snowboarders, and tele-skiers to enjoy. The ski hill has groomed beginner runs, including a tow rope. Expert runs include mogul runs, un-groomed terrain, and tree skiing. For the thrill-seekers, Mont du Lac has more than 20 features with small to large jump lines, challenging even the most advanced riders.
Snowmobiling
There’s nothing more exciting than rushing through a winter wonderland on a snowmobile. Visit our Snowmobiling page for more information.
