Winter in the Northwoods
Skiing and Snowshoeing
You can’t go wrong with a cross country skiing or snowshoeing vacation at Black's Cliff resort. Nearby snow shoe trails are easily accessed from the resort. And, the 10-kilometer Schlect Lake Trail is located just a mile north of Hazelhurst. This trail is groomed and a portion is well-lit for night skiing until 10 p.m.
We are also located just seven miles away from Minocqua Winter Park Nordic Center. The park offers:
- 75 km. of groomed terrain, with 65 km. groomed for skating and/or striding
- Open daily except Wednesdays (open Wednesday during Christmas holidays)
- Two specially groomed children's loops and a snow shoe loop
- Open telemarking slopes
- Chalet with cafe, day lodge and heated waxing room
- Babysitting available Saturday, Sunday and holidays
- Ski shop - retail, rental and a certified ski school
In addition, several Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest trails are available in the area, ranging from 2.9 to 12.5 miles in length. These trails may be groomed or un-groomed, and they encompass a range of difficulties.
You can also check out the North Lakeland Discovery Center for more than 20 kilometers of trails, guided ski trips, snow shoe tours and other environmental learning activities.
Or, take an extended day trip to Active Backwoods Retreats (ABR). Located in Ironwood, Michigan, ABR is within a 60-minute drive from the resort, providing cross-country ski trails that cover 600 acres of private land of varied terrain.
For a day of family downhill skiing and snowboarding, check out Camp 10. Offering 10 runs, night or day skiing, a cafeteria and very affordable rates, Camp 10 is less than a 45 minute drive from the resort.
Other downhill skiing destinations within an hour of the resort include Powderhorn and Blackjack in Bessemer, MI; Whitecap in Montreal, WI; Indianhead in Wakefield, MI; and Granite Peak in Wausau, WI.
To rehabilitate your tired muscles after a long day of skiing on some of the finest trails in the country, take some time to enjoy the cedar sauna at Black’s Cliff.
Snowmobiling
Black’s Cliff offers direct access to the Bear Skin State Trail, which is a main thoroughfare to the more than 1,600 miles of professionally groomed woodland trails and snow-covered lakes in the area.
Thanks to our 65-inch annual average snowfall and the hard work of local snowmobile clubs and volunteers, you can take off in any direction on your sled and find plenty of well-marked Northwoods trails, as well as numerous welcoming trail-side pit stops.
To check out the current snow conditions, visit the Minocqua-area trail report. Before you head north, remember to register your snowmobileas either a resident or non-resident of Wisconsin. If you are interested in snowmobile rentals, contact R-N-R Rentals.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing on spring-fed, 200-acre Lower Kaubashine yields a wide variety of fish, including walleye, musky, northern pike and pan fish. Ask Troy and Jenny where other guests have located ice fishing hot spots.
Other good spots for anglers within ten miles of the resort are the Willow and Rainbow Flowages, Lake Minocqua and Lake Katherine. In addition, the Northwoods is home to literally thousands of frozen lakes, making it one of the top Midwest ice fishing destinations.
For a guided fishing experience, consider contacting Barry Klatt, a local Musky guru who lives on Lower Kaubashine. Klatt owns BK Guide Service and specializes in a variety of area lakes, as well.
Or, if you are interested in exploring the secrets of a Northwoods walleye, consider Hazelhurst guide Greg Bohn.
For all your ice fishing equipment needs, stop by Rollie and Helen’s on your way to the resort.
For more information about area ice fishing, visit Kurt’s Island Sports fishing reports. And, don’t forget to purchase a Wisconsin fishing license before embarking on your Northwoods adventure.
Skating and Sledding
Both kids and adults are encouraged to bring their ice skates, snow sleds and kites to the resort. We have a few small sledding hills nearby, and a big frozen lake where you can practice your figure eights or kite flying skills.
On warm winter afternoons, the thermals rise over the frozen lake, making perfect kite flying conditions. When the lake ice gets too rough to skate on, a public ice rink is also located in downtown Minocqua in Torpy Park.
For a great day of winter family fun, head to Fort Wilderness, located in McNaughton. Fort Wilderness offers skiing; skating among trees on a flooded rink; and two tubing runs on the best hill in the Northwoods (it dumps out onto a lake).
Winter Entertainment
Minocqua's new Campanile Center for the Arts hosts a variety of live music and theatre performances in downtown Minocqua. The Nicolet Area Technical College offers a full schedule of events, as well.