Mount Ashwabay Winter Sports
Bayfield WI

Mount Ashwabay, Bayfield, WI
Mount Ashwabay, Bayfield Wisconsin's Hometown Ski Hill

While we have visited Mt. Ashwabay during the performances of the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua tent show, we had never been there in the winter. We corrected that omission during a February weekend in 2009 when we attended the annual Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race and visited the Bayfield Ice Caves. While Jo relaxed in the lodge, I snowshoed to the top of the hill, following both cross-country and downhill trails.

Other Bayfield Winter Recreation Profiles in SuperiorTrails.com

- APOSTLE ISLANDS SLED DOG RACE
- BAYFIELD ICE CAVES
- MADELINE ISLAND ICE ROAD
- WISCONSIN WINTER EVENTS ALONG LAKE SUPERIOR

- BAYFIELD CHAMBER WINTER SPORTS PAGE

- Other Bayfield Visitor Attractions -
Links of things to see & do

Master Bayfield Area Directory
Bayfield Area Travel & Event Pages

While offering only a modest vertical drop, Ashwabay does offer a variety of downhill skiing challenges, including some glade skiing and steep mogul runs. Another attractive feature of skiing at Ashwabay is the price; you can ski all day without having to fork over a day's pay. (2014 prices: adults - $24, juniors/seniors - $18) Its cross country ski trail network is extensive as it interconnects with the Jerry Jay Jolly-Pike Creek trail system. And the trail fee includes a trip on the chairlift for easy access to the ridge trail network. And for snowshoeing the cross country trails were wide enough that I could hike adjacent to the tracks. Completing the menu of winter sports activities at Ashwabay is a tubing hill.

Mount Ashwabay projected opening date is Dec 20th and the 2017 Winter Dash is March 4th and the Spring Carnival is March 11th. See all their special winter events here.

The Lodge

The ski hill's lodge has a wood burning fireplace and a rustic exterior and interior that reminds me of the good ole' days 40 years ago when I learned to ski.

Nothing fancy, but friendly and comfortable. Hot sandwiches, chili, soup, hot and cold beverages at affordable prices.

Downhill Skiing

A great view of Chequamegon Bay from the top of the ski hill.

While the vertical drop is a fraction of the hills in the nearby UP there are challenging runs like this mogul field. And with short lift lines you can ski several miles a day.

Cross Country Skiing & Snow-Shoeing