WISCONSIN Hayward Lakes
The Wisconsin Northwoods in general , and the Hayward Lakes area specifically , is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its dynamic landscape , pristine lakes , flowing rivers and friendly hospitality .
For those who enjoy traveling on trails , though , the broad area around Hayward is the ultimate getaway . Bikers , ATV / d UTV riders , hikers and cross-country skiers all rave about this destination , but for snowmobilers , riding here is almost a religion . Yes , it really is that good . It starts with dependable snow . The Hayward area is located in a mini snowbelt that often gets more snow than neighboring communities , and it then holds that snow deeper into the winter . More than 600 miles of expertly maintained and groomed snowmobile trails , many in the national and state forest land , take riders on unforgettable snowmobile adventures in the host Sawyer County . Neighboring Washburn , Douglas , Bayfield , Rusk , Ashland and Price counties add thousands more miles of easy-to-reach , connected trails , so you can create loops of any size or do multi-day overnight touring .
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At the center of it all is the Hayward area , with varied lodging and dining options – from folksy to fancy and everything in between – plus plenty of other entertainment , making it the perfect hub for seemingly endless winter fun .
Major corridor trails that bisect the area can get visiting riders from point-to-point quickly on wide , well-groomed byways , while dozens of club trails carve more intimate , twisting paths through the dense woods , across frozen lakes and over snow-covered bridges . The terrain in this part of Wisconsin is surprisingly rugged . Advancing and retreating glaciers and pre-historic rivers etched an interesting landscape that is particularly fun to explore aboard the seat of a snowmobile .
The actual trail surface beneath your snowmobile is most often groomed tabletop smooth – the many fine clubs in this area take great pride in their trail maintenance . In fact , when combined , the local clubs have the largest trail grooming fleet available anywhere .
Those trails are also impeccably marked : At virtually every intersection , you ’ ll find signage that tells you how far it is to various towns , services and establishments , all of which are accessible by trail .
Make your plans to visit the Hayward Lakes area this winter . For more information , including downloadable maps plus in-season snow and trail reports , visit HaywardLakes . com .
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COLORADO Grand Lake
Winter is always sunny and bright in Grand Lake , Colorado ! With more than 300 days of sunshine , Grand Lake has plenty of snow , sun and fun all winter long .
Located only a two-hour drive from Denver , Grand Lake is an easy-to-reach destination for those coming from the East , yet it feels like a hidden gem you ’ re the first to find . With more than 250 square miles of varied terrain accessible directly from the town trail , you ’ ll be sure to find stashes of deep , champagne powder and playgrounds of untouched meadows framed by aspen . There are more than a few reasons Grand Lake is the “ Snowmobile Capital of Colorado .”
The town is nestled between Rocky Mountain National Park and the lake after which the town is named . Grand Lake is Colorado ’ s largest and deepest natural lake , providing ample ice for ice fishing , riding and cross-country skiing in winter . The lake is also the site for many winter events , such as the popular Pond Hockey Classic ( January 22 ), Winter Carnival ( February 5 ), and ice fishing contests by Ice Addiction .
The historic downtown has an idyllic small-town feel with stores and restaurants lining the wooden boardwalk . The town ’ s holiday lights stay up all winter , giving it a warm , cozy glow .
Grand Lake is one of the few places in the West where you can ride directly from town to the trails . It ’ s not uncommon at lunchtime to see swaths of snowmobiles parked next to
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vehicles outside Grand Lake eateries such as Sagebrush BBQ , Charlie ’ s Sports Bar and Grill , Rockies or One Love Rum Kitchen . This access is possible via a trail that connects through the national park to the North Supply access to Arapaho National Forest .
The area boasts varied terrain for beginners and experts . From the Idleglen Staging Area , follow the Kawuneeche Trail to drop into the wide-open vistas of Whiskey Park to carve through chest-deep powder , and do it again in Hatchet Park .
For the more advanced and adventurous , head to Gravel Mountain Complex for some high-marking fun . A must-see for all riders is the fantastic view of the Continental Divide from Gold Run . It ’ s quite common to encounter moose and elk along the way . Remember : Moose have the right of way !
The true treasure of Grand Lake is its friendly local snowmobile community . The Grand Lake Trail Groomers maintain nearly 100 miles of groomed trails , while providing detailed trail maps , trail signage and daily trail condition reports . Trail hosts are stationed throughout the area in fluorescent vests to give help where needed , whether that ’ s for directions , recommendations or calls to the Grand County Search and Rescue team for backcountry assistance . Plenty of lodging properties accommodate trailer parking and are great hubs of local trail knowledge , along with rental businesses such as On the Trails and Grand Adventures .
In Grand Lake , you can ride for days , exploring new terrain or return to repeat your new favorites . Explore Grand Lake , a snowmobiler ’ s dream .
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