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Mornin’ to everyone interested in road trippin’ up to Door County—National Geographic just wrote about it. Check it out if you want a DNR mug. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly, the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week’s weekly:

❄️ Predictions for Wisconsin’s winter

🎿 Ski resorts start snowmaking, XC skiers get early turns

🥾 Extending Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail into Wisconsin

🌅 STORY OF THE WEEK: Why Fall and Winter are best to explore Wisconsin outdoors

❄️ Predictions for Wisconsin’s winter LINK

• NOAA’s winter outlook hints at a return to “real” Northwoods weather, with a 30–40% chance of cooler, wetter conditions—though a weak La Niña means anything from fluffy powder days to soggy sleet specials.

• Wildlife rehabber Mark Naniot, who trusts animal instincts more than any forecast model, is seeing mixed signals this year—suggesting a middle-of-the-road winter: not a beast, not a bust, and probably fashionably late.

• Almanacs can’t agree (what else is new?)—one predicts a deep-freeze snow slog, the other a mild season with a few surprise dumpings—while climatologists warn that long-term warming is quietly shifting winter’s bite, even if this year brings a bit more snow back to the Northwoods.

🎿 Ski resorts start snowmaking, XC skiers get early turns LINK

• Downhill resorts from Wausau to Iron River jumped on the first cold snap, firing up snow guns at 28°F and below—because in 2025, winter doesn’t always show up without a little mechanical encouragement.

• Granite Peak and Snowriver churned out man-made powder while Ski Brule aimed for a Nov. 21 opening, proving once again that snowmakers are the real unsung heroes of the ski season.

• Meanwhile, cross-country diehards in Ironwood snagged a bonus lap at ABR Trails after a quick-hit natural snowfall—just a one-day tease of the season to come.

 🥾 Extending Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail into Wisconsin LINK

• Trail advocates in Iron County are pushing to extend Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail three more miles into Wisconsin, using an old Soo Line rail grade that’s been sitting there like a perfectly good trail waiting for its moment.

• ICORE is negotiating with Canadian National to buy the needed rail corridor for roughly $200,000; with grants already in hand and a Knowles-Nelson request pending, they still need to rustle up about $55,000 before moving on to the next big lift—raising another $2 million for paving and bridge restoration.

• The planned Hurley-to-Montreal extension would be owned by the cities, shared with existing motorized users, and serve everyone from casual walkers to year-round bikers and skiers—because in the Northwoods, a good rail-trail is basically a community highway that doesn’t need plowing.

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WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

Last week's poll was a bit trickier, with 45% of poll voters getting it right.

The correct answer is B) Dark-eyed Junco!

This is a tougher question! The Dark-eyed Junco is the bird most famously and widely known by the nickname "snowbird," as they seem to bring the snow with them. The Black-capped Chickadee is a hardy, year-round Wisconsin resident and doesn't migrate.