You’re right not my area but Snowtracks says Price is open but not rideable. In my experience once trails open they rarely shut down in prime winter season even if a melt takes trails down to bare ground. I have seen Eagle River go from Poor to Excellent with a foot of snow overnight. Imo I respect Vilas for staying closed for now. If they opened it would false advertisement said a local business owner even tho Xmas week is next week.
Oneida / Villas County Opener ?
- Thread starter Wolfee
- Start date
You’re right not my area but Snowtracks says Price is open but not rideable. In my experience once trails open they rarely shut down in prime winter season even if a melt takes trails down to bare ground. I have seen Eagle River go from Poor to Excellent with a foot of snow overnight. Imo I respect Vilas for staying closed for now. If they opened it would false advertisement said a local business owner even tho Xmas week is next week.
My mother's house is southwest of lac du flambeau...near the vilas, oneida, price border...and there is no way you can ride price county...no idea why they are open...the ice isnt safe on the lakes, and there is maybe 3 inches of snow left after our meltdown...its just a poor start to the season...and it's going to hurt the businesses up here ...but what can you do?
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
WD, We shut our gates once the snow pack gets low. To leave them open with bare ground is the quickest way to lose your property owners due to turf damage. Maybe that is all county owned land?
A lot of trails are on National Forest land I live in the Nicolet Forest but sure many trails run thru private land too. I’m aware of what is private in Phelps trail network but for visitors it would be difficult to know one tree from another. Difficult to hurt private trail land thru the woods in poor conditions and most winters we get fresh snow every week average 100 to 120 inches in a normal winter. We are probably in our 3rd foot already with a snowy November but the warm December is killing us. It will snow always does but needs to get going soon!
skidoo mxz
Member
Any update on vilas or oneida opener with this new snow coming Thursday and friday?
No they don’t want to discuss opening until there is snow on the ground but I would expect trails will open for the weekend if this storm tracks like John predicts. Vilas won’t miss another holiday weekend revenue if there is 10 inches of snow already have 4. If we have big snow my best guess is trails will open quickly.
Woohoo!! I'm loaded and ready!
Rideable early season conditions. Imo fine for the old iron like 90s Indy trail but I wouldn’t ride a new sled in this stuff but to each his/her own trails will be open enjoy.
hermie
Active member
I think you are spot on. The clubs rely on donations from the businesses up there. The businesses are not liking the trails not be open during one of there busier weeks.
Prolly 3 old snow and 3 new inches of very wet snow with rain on it. Maybe by Saturday there will be some lube snow. I can’t imagine conditions will be anything but iceberg snow when it sets up. That’s why I suggested an old air cooled Indy type sled with steel skis. Trails open Saturday but doesn’t mean conditions are anything other than rideable. Might be better to wait for better conditions but this year who knows when better will be.
Came up with wife and kid on Saturday didn’t have high expectations but wasn’t too bad. Sure it’s thin in spots and icy in spots but there is plenty of good spots too. Clubs have been doing a great job with what they have to work with. Mainly been riding mornings as I’m rolling solo as my kiddo is only 1. So of course mainly freshly groomed in the morning, I’m sure by afternoon/ evening they are pretty washed out. 1-3” forecasted tonight could make a big difference for them. Will go out for one more ride before I put it in the trailer to head south on Jan1. Happy New Year!
RS
RS
I would ride with caution. I went out the first night trails opened in Oneida and my sled went through a swamp right in middle of trail. Looked like groomer may have opened it up as the ice next too the trail was quite thick. May have been an expensive mistake to go out early. I would have been really upset if it was my main sled vs a “cabin” sled.