Wet and heavy snow fell across northern Wisconsin Wednesday, leaving a winter wonderland with snow-covered trees.
The blowing snow in Brule has made the snow depth range between ankle deep to thigh deep; on average it is about knee deep. Now would be the perfect time to break out the snowshoes or snowmobiles and hit the trails.
The Afterhours ski trail groomers are busy trying to get the trail system back in shape and ready for the River View Loppet this weekend.
Catherine Khalar, clerical assistant and financial specialist for the Brule River State Forest, said ski conditions were excellent before the snowstorm, and the trail system now had an additional 8 inches or more of snow.
"Our groomers are rolling the trails today (Thursday) and will have the trails fully groomed tomorrow," Khalar said.
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The 17th annual River View Loppet cross country ski races will be held at the Afterhours ski trail, Saturday.
The 12k classic and 12k and 24k freestyle races have interval starts. An additional mass start is planned for adult 24k freestyle skiers who want to start with a group of friends. A 5k Family Fun Tour event is free for kids 13 and under as well as for accompanying parents or guardians.
For students aged 18 and under, 12k classic and freestyle race fees are $15. All other adult and youth races are $35. Participants need not purchase trail passes.
Registration runs from 7:30-9 a.m. Saturday at the Brule Town Hall, which is two blocks north of Highway 2 on Maple St.
Starts begin promptly at 10 a.m., so skiers need to be at the trailhead and ready to race by 9:40 a.m.
The trailhead is on After Hours Road, just west of where Hwy. 2 crosses the Brule River.
Awards, including participation awards for kids who do the 5k, will be presented at an after-race lunch, which begins at the town hall at noon.
The Brule ski trail will be closed to non-racers until about 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
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The event is hosted by the Brule Valley Ski Club, the Brule Lions Club and the Brule River State Forest (BRSF). The Riverview Loppet funds projects that benefit the Brule community and the After Hours Ski Trail, which is part of the BRSF.
Questions about the race may be directed to Bob Cragin, 715-392-6988, or Greg St. Onge, 715-372-5995.
Youth hunt
The Gitchee Gumme Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is seeking youths ages 12-16 who have never hunted turkeys to enroll in Douglas County's Learn to Hunt Turkey Program. To be eligible youth hunters must have passed a hunter education course and filled out an application. The application deadline is Saturday.
For an entry form, contact Kevin Feind at kevin.feind@wisconsin.gov . Applicants will be entered into a drawing with 15 winners receiving a mentored hunting experience.
The hunt will take place March 31-April 1. There is a mandatory field day at the Superior Trap Club on March 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Feind at the Brule Ranger Station at the above email address, or by phone at 715-372-5678, Ext. 112.
