.png){kind=small}
Trail Conditions
Blue Hills Trail CONDITIONS
Fairly good hiking. With rainy spring weather, anticipate soft and muddy wet areas.
Kevattalvi (Finnish term) = spring winter: "When birds start to sing, the snow melts, you get patches of concrete and some warmer days, lots of sunshine but it might still snow and be freezing."
IMPORTANT UPDATES
snowfall
April 6: late evening flurries
grooming & MOWING
Grooming Report / Plans:
March 6: groomed the East Side Core Loop.
weather forecast
Winter. Welcome Back, Don't Be A Stranger.
At last -- a few days of fantastic skiing! This winter (2024-25) started late, was far too dry, and now is ending early. Hurry back my friend, but try to be on time.
Cross country ski conditions this morning (Sunday, February 23rd) were fantastic on the Blue Hills Trail in northwest Wisconsin. Temps started at 23 degrees F, rose above freezing for the first time in 3 weeks, and later in the day hit the low 40s. During the past week, timely grooming of the packed powder and sugar snow surfaces made for wonderful skate or classic skiing this morning before the predicted warmup moved in later in the day. Quite a contrast to the minus 30F windchills a few days earlier.
Enjoy the following photos showing the beauty of the Blue Hills Trail cross country ski trails in northwest Wisconsin -- taken February 21 - 23 (2025). As lovely as the pictures are, the skiing was even better. Right click the photos to open in a new window and enjoy the full size image.
If you'd like to help offset our expenses, follow this link for donations and annual memberships.
How to view images: To see larger versions of the thumbnail photos above, click on the thumbnail. If you want to save the image for yourself, simply right click the full size image to obtain the original. Higher quality images are available by contacting our website. To avoid copyright infringement, reprints must credit the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc.
Image information: If you want to save any images from this blog post for yourself, simply right click the full size image to obtain the original. Higher quality images are available by contacting our website. To avoid copyright infringement, reprints must credit the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc.
Additional Recent Posts
Unbelievable! It keeps snowing, & snowing, & snowing! Accompanied by persistent cold temps (it hasn't been above freezing for 37 days; 28 of the past 31 days have been below zero), every snowfall adds to the last. Remember those mountainous snowbanks from your childhood winters? Don't let your kids forget this one. Once again, tip your hat to our groomers when you see them out working their magic. Conditions have been uniformly wonderful, our groomers have met this winter's challenges head on. And if you notice a huge divot next to the trail, that's one of our groomers working hard to push the margins. Even the most experienced groomer gets stuck periodically - then it's time to unhitch the grooming implement, extricate the snowmobile, back up to reconnect to the grooming implement, then off to create more corduroy and set more track. It requires continuous concentration, and lots of muscle - not as easy as it looks. The Birkie is just a few days away, invite your friends to ski the Hills while visiting the area. The beauty is contagious.
News Flash! Knowing he had a lot of work ahead of him, the infamous Blue Hills Bill set his anti-hibernation alarm for an early awakening today. Eager to get a start on things, he munched a quick breakfast, and started digging. With near-record deep snows, he dug & dug & dug... and dug & dug & dug... and just in the nick of time, he crawled out of his burrow at 7:25 this morning and delivered his annual prognostication to the awaiting crowd in downtown Bruce, WI. Read on...
Ice in early December,
Brought branches and trees crashing down;
Then snows like none could remember,
Polar winds making hardy folks frown.
Said Bill, "Time's a wastin' - Go play!
"Record snowfall's your ticket to fun;
Ski the Hills now, day after day,
No shadow! when snowbanks block sun!
Comments from the crowd
- 2/2: This winter won't last forever, bundle up the kids, we're heading to the Blue Hills Trail right away! --Bruce, WI
- 2/2: Bill says Spring's coming early! So what if it's cold now, this makes for easy waxing, mint conditions, great classic skiing. Time to get our kicks! --Rice Lake, WI
- 2/2: Thanks for the advice, Bill. So much snow, so little time... --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/2: Better ship some of this extra snow to our friends in Folsom, CA. --Sprinter Gypsy Camp, TX
The annual fall banquet for the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc. (BHTA) was held Saturday, November 2nd at Lehman's Supper Club in Rice Lake. While bidding on the numerous silent auction items, the enthusiastic attendees enjoyed libations, great food, camaraderie, and a captivating wildlife presentation by DNR Naturalist - Chris Cold.
After a delicious buffet meal, master of ceremonies (Jerry Wilkes) turned the floor over to outgoing BHTA president Dick Pebler who summarized the many significant events impacting the Blue Hills Trail this past year, reporting the trails are in great shape as we head toward winter; and noting that fundraising this fall has been very successful. He was pleased to note that the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc. remains financially solid. To honor just a few of our many volunteers, a special award was presented: Dick Pebler humbly passed along the "2 Busy 2 Pee" traveling trophy (a porcelain urinal) to Dave Olsen - honoring Dave's busy lifestyle. At that point, prizes valued at close to $7000 were distributed to the attendees -- including Dick Pebler winning the raffle for the Spring Street Sports $250 gift card, and Jeff Sirek winning the raffle for the New Moon $250 gift card. Our many donors graciously give back to their communities -- when the opportunity presents, be sure to offer them a sincere thank you. Pretty soon now, it'll be time to wax our skis!
It looked like March would go out as a lamb, but Mother Nature sure fooled us! It kept snowing and snowing and snowing - topped off by a record setting May 2nd snowstorm that dropped 18 inches in the Hills!
Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house
- 3/25: Great night for a ski. Love how late the sun is out. Thanks for such great trails. The skate lane was fast fast fast. --Bruce, WI
- 3/28: Wow! Skate trail is amazing. Thank you to BHTA for a wonderful ski season. March 28 & the sky is blue, the sun is shining & the skiing is fast. --Rice Lake, WI
- 3/29: Snowshoeing - Awesome. --Australia
- 4/1: Fantastic crust skiing on Westside & over & onto Audie Flowage, & also on Florida Loop. Early morning skiing is fast & almost effortless. Edge control is borderline in some places & the steeper donwhills are exhiliratingly fast. No fooling! --Ladysmith, WI
- 4/10: The snow cover extends unbroken at least 2 km from the warming house, & undoubtedly beyond. --Ladysmith, WI
- 4/12: With the new snow one can ski anywhere! --Ladysmith, WI
- 4/13: Another day's pilgrammage to the Blue Hills. Today I skied the entire Westside with side trips to Audie Lake & from Letter K north. I recommend it to anyone that wants to leave the beaten track. --Ladysmith, WI
- 4/17: The heavy wet snow that fell 3 days ago provided a new surface which this morning's colder temperatures transformed into a firm crust. Skating over it was fantastic, so much better than what I expected to find. --Ladysmith, WI
- 4/19: Getting Out There for a classic ski. AMAZING. --Rice Lake, WI
- 4/24: Eastside crust ski was wonderfully fast on the ski over to the Westside & to Audie Lake. Saw very large paw prints in the snow (wolf?). The return ski was slower in the soft snow in the sun. All in all a wonderful spring ski. --Eau Claire, WI
- 4/25: It ain't over 'til it's over! Skied much of the Eastside on an unbroken crust covered with a centimeter of new snow, which decorated the twigs & branches of all the hilltop trees - until the sun melted it. --Ladysmith, WI
A generous snowfall one week ago (February 22nd) initially created 'too soft' conditions despite abundant grooming. Several days later, sunshine and freeze thaw cycles created an icy glaze, 'too hard'. With the immaculate grooming performed yesterday (Feb. 28), the trails were 'just right'. Goldilocks is pleased. Should be a great weekend in the Hills, give those skis another go-around!
Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house
- 2/18: Loved it! --Cadott, WI
- 2/18: Enjoyed snowshoe trail. --Eau Claire, WI
- 2/18: Me & my honey. --Rio de Janero, Brazil
- 2/18: Nice day, good snow. --Hudson, FL
- 2/18: Loved the snowshoe trail! Beautiful 38 degree day! Thank you for the warm welcome. --Hudson, WI
- 2/20: Best conditions I've skied this winter. Right up there with the Methow Valley in Washington State. --Sumner, WA
- 2/21: Super grooming! --Madison, WI
- 2/23: Avoiding Birkie crowd in Hayward. It's just us & the groomer! --Minneapolis, MN
- 2/23: Silence of the North - it's deafening! --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/23: Ahhhh! The Blue Hills Trail - where the grooming is swoon worthy. Where every skier can imagine they've won the Birkie! Thanks to the groomers. --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/23: I'm so blessed! Wonderful trails - This IS the Life :-) 3 hours of solitude & beauty. --Chetek, WI
- 2/23: We are so Lucky to have such Great trails! Thanks to ALL involved! --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/23: The trails are great! Thanks so much for all your hard work! --Madison, WI
- 2/25: Skate deck firming up nicely. My last Midwest ski for year :-( Back to the Cascade concrete. Hope the snow here holds out thru March. --Sumner, WA
- 2/26: "Spring skiing" is here! Cool nights, mild days, soft breezes, & fresh corduroy in the Hills - thanks again groomers!!!--Ladysmith, WI
- 2/26: Great skiing today! It's good to get back here! --Barron, WI
- 2/26: Excellent classic tracks! The conditions don't get any better. --Exeland, WI
- 2/26: The speed on the skate deck sped up nicely after the sun went down. Nice post Birkie ski. --Bruce, WI
- 2/28: Waiting all year for a ski like today's! Totally under control when screaming fast coming around the curve at the bottom of Rut Road. Yeeee Hawww! --Ladysmith, WI
The infamous Blue Hills Bill crawled out of his burrow this morning and delivered his annual prognostication to the awaiting crowd in downtown Bruce, Wisconsin. Read on...
Suffering delusions,
from weather confusion,
To his doctor did go
Blue Hills Bill;
For temperature tricks,
Doc offered a fix,
"You must swallow
this nasty big pill."
Shadow not missing,
Bill was heard hissing,
"Climate change means
it's time to adapt;
With snow in the Hills,
delay not your thrills,
Ski like crazy
'til you are tapped!"
Comments from the crowd
- 2/2: I'm not wasting any time, heading to the Blue Hills right away! --Bruce, WI
- 2/2: Ski now or forever hold your skis. --Rice Lake, WI
- 2/2: Thanks for the advice, Bill. Carpe diem! --Ladysmith, WI
The Blue Hills Trail Association Inc pursued an aggressive agenda for trail work this summer. Now in mid August, we feel we've reached most of our goals. Many thanks to the Rusk County Forestry Department, the Wisconsin DNR, and the Rusk County Wildlife Restoration Association (WRA) for their help.
When enjoying these trails while hiking/hunting/skiing this fall and winter, take a moment to consider the work that goes into taming mother nature. The past couple days I gained a new appreciation of the difficult task of mowing our trail system. Club member Steve P operated the skidsteer-mower donated by the WRA, and I cleared debris ahead of him while scouting for hidden rocks. A few hours after starting the mowing, Steve's skidsteer slipped off a steep embankment and was stuck in a perilous spot. After Steve cautiously exited the machine, we phoned for help and were rescued by one of our highly skilled local DNR dozer operators. Three hours after the skidsteer left the trail, we were back in action.
Mowing continued into the next day. Thanks to the drying conditions this summer, we felt fortunate to reach our goal of negotiating and mowing about ten typically soft muddy wet sections on the most distant trails of the Eastside. As we were completing the final hour of mowing operations, we found one of the many hidden rocks the Blue Hills has to offer. The head of the bolt securing the mower blade was sheared off, the blade went flying like a piece of shrapnel -- and fortunately humans and equipment survived without significant injury. Hard work, but enjoyable time in the Hills.
As stated earlier, I have a much greater appreciation for those that have mowed these trails the past 30 years. And I'm excited about the other trail work that was accomplished this summer. A lot of dozing of eroded areas was performed in July, then seeded within the past couple weeks. Grass has sprouted, those newly greened trail sections look inviting, and should provide good bird hunting habitat in addition to improvements that will enhance our winter cross country skiing.Thanks to the following for help with summer trail maintenance/improvement:
- Rusk County Forestry - major culvert planning, provision of the culvert, tree clearing in anticipation of mowing, mowing of the Westside trails and portions of the Eastside trails, and provision of grass seed.
- DNR (Ladysmith Center) - planning and dozing of multiple trail segments to enhance erosion control, dozing for insertion of the culvert, guidance with placement of the culvert silt fence, and rescue operation of the immobilized skidsteer mower.
- Blue Hills Trail Assn Inc. - $300 fee for DNR culvert permit, gas for mowing operations.
- Rands Trucking (Ladysmith) - two rolls of silt fence (donated).
- BHTA members Frank Lowry, Jan Paulsen and Tom Paulsen (bridge repair); Tom Paulsen and Jonathan Stanley (trail inspection); John Carr, Tom Paulsen, Jerry Schneider (install silt fence around new culvert and spread grass seed); Dan Bale and Tom Paulsen (spread grass seed); John Ziemer (donated use of his ATV); Dan Bale (use of his truck); Steve P and Tom Paulsen (mowing); Steve P and Jerry Schneider (clearing of the Westside Trails); Dan Bartels (mowing).
- Ladysmith Driftbusters Snowmobile Club member Tom Haasl - instructions in use of the WRA skidsteer mower.
We were able to enjoy a few more hours of fun skiing in the Blue Hills this morning. The weather forecast suggests we are done grooming for the winter of 2011-12.Here's a bit of a recap:
- We started grooming on December 4th, & have skied in the Hills regularly since then (a total of 98 days on groomed snow).
- We groomed a total of 39 times.
- December was dry, allowing only 5 opportunities to groom - but we kept skiing on our rock skis.
- January snowfall picked up, groomers worked on 17 days that month.
- February was drier again, requiring 11 days of grooming.
- March produced our only decent snowstorm - & another 6 days of grooming.
We owe a big thank you to our groomers. Equipment break downs and mechanical problems were handled efficiently & never compromised the grooming. Thank you to Dan Bartels, Steve Gest, & Jesse Wimer for capturing every available snowflake & saving the winter of 2011-12! It certainly was an unusual winter (warm & dry). Fortunately, we were lucky to receive just enough snow to enjoy fun conditions for most of 3 months. Welcoming the many happy skiers that traveled to find snow in the Blue Hills was very rewarding.
Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house
- 3/8: Great ski today all alone! Thanks to the groomers for all the great work this winter. Hate to see it end. --Ladysmith, WI
- 3/9: Awesome! --author's location unknown
- 3/10: Got going 7:30 a.m. when "the window" was still closed & locked. Thanks to yesterday's grooming (by Dan the man) we threw the window open 'til it started to get slow ~9:30. What fun! --Ladysmith, WI
- 3/10: Another fabulous year in the Hills. Thank you to the crew! --Barron, WI
- 3/10: Great spring skiing. Thanks. --Minneapolis, MN
- 3/11: Great hike thru woods. Stayed off trails. This is what makes real outdoors men & women. --author's location unknown
- 3/13: Just checkin' out old playground. --author's location unknown
- 3/13: I was able to ski out the 'gravel road' about 2.5 km, crossing two short bare sections. to a wide melted out area then returned. --Ladysmith, WI
- 3/23: Snow completely gone - can you believe it! --Rice Lake, WI
Post Categories
Blue Hills Trail
instagram updates
Subscribe to Newsletter Updates
Stay in-the-know about grooming updates, special events, news, announcements, volunteer days, and more. Rest-assured, we never sell or share your information.
