With Wisconsin winters, snow is usually inevitable. Why not embrace it, then? For three to five months (and some years even longer) the white stuff covers our beautiful state to varying degrees, providing a whole new environment for a variety of activities including sledding, snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. Before your chance at winter fun melts away, try a wintry weekend getaway to Hurley in Iron County, an area that gets more than 160 inches of snow on average a year – more than anywhere else in Wisconsin.
What to do:
- With more than 500 miles of snowmobile trails in Iron County, Hurley is the perfect place for an exhilarating sled ride. Even with the most reliable snow cover in the state, however, it’s still wise to check conditions before you head out.
- For the ultimate downhill skiing weekend, try Whitecap Mountains, a resort with 43 runs spread across 500 acres for beginners and experts alike.
- For cross-country skiing action, check out the Montreal Trails just off of Highway 77. There is a rustic warming shelter at the trailhead, complete with a wood stove and hemlock benches for resting.
- Hike the Flambeau Trail crossing, located just south of Hurley outside of Montreal. Native Americans and European traders used the trail to traverse the Lake Superior and Mississippi watersheds. No navigable rivers connect the two, and before railroads came around in the late 19th century, traders were forced to portage 45 miles on this trail to cross.
Where to go:
- Stop by the National Finnish American Festival grounds, also known as Little Finland, to learn about the area’s Finnish heritage. See a traditional Finnish homestead or browse Finnish artifacts at the museum, including a rug loom, wooden carvings, shoes worn by Finnish immigrants and musical instruments.
- Iron County earned its geological name from the deposits that helped make the area a booming mining region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Be sure to check out the Plume Mine Interpretive Park, which includes the last standing headframe in Wisconsin. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 80-foot structure is part of an interactive park memorializing the Penokee Iron Range.
- Hurley’s lively past has earned it the nickname “Life of the Northwoods.” The town’s historic Silver Street was an infamous hangout for miners, loggers and even Chicago gangsters like Al Capone, especially during the prohibition years when numerous bootleg operations kept the alcohol flowing. This street in Hurley’s historic downtown is still the center of nightlife in the town, which boasts more than 30 bars and clubs.
- Snap some photos of the Annala Round Barn, the only barn in Wisconsin made from large fieldstones. Built by a Finnish mason in 1917, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The barn is privately owned, so be sure to ask permission before trekking on the property.
- A visit to the Iron County Historical Museum reveals three floors of exhibits celebrating the county’s logging, mining and farming history. Old looms on display are still put to good use by volunteers who make hand-woven rag rugs that are available for purchase at the museum.
Where to stay:
- Enjoy homemade jam and applesauce alongside a hearty two-course breakfast at the Anton-Walsh Bed & Breakfast Inn. Originally built in 1896, the historic inn features three themed guest rooms, library, living room and parlor for guests to relax in. Room rates range from $89 to $139.
- Ski or snowboard the weekend away at The Whitecap Mountains Ski & Golf Resort. Stay in a room or suite, or rent a chalet or condo for the weekend – some accommodations even have direct access to mountain skiing. Special discount packages are available after March 7.
- Hotel lodging options include Hurley Inn, Comfort Inn and Days Inn. Nearby Ironwood, just across the Wisconsin-Michigan border, also has a number of comfortable lodging options.
Where to eat:
- The Liberty Bell Chalet has been serving up some of Wisconsin’s best pizza for nearly 90 years. The Caesar salad is a close second to the pizza in tastiness, with a secret recipe known as Betty's Dressing. The restaurant sells its delicious Italian fare at an onsite market and online.
- With cozy Northwoods décor, an extensive menu, amazing food and huge portions, the Kimball Inn is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Owner-chef Mike prepares everything, including soups, chili and bread. Moderate prices make this a true gem in Wisconsin's Northwoods.
- Silver Street's Branding Iron restaurant features hand-cut Angus steaks and a number of fresh seafood options including Midwestern walleye. Wash down your meal with the restaurant’s famous “on-tap" margarita.