Why I ride WAWA, Ontario

[polarisrider1]

Best kept secret I have!

[polarisrider1]

1st Picture is today right in the town of Wawa. Notice lake is not froze. All this snow came Saturday night.

[polarisrider1]

Northern Lights motel Wawa, Ont.

[doonegade]

Polarisrider1--

i'm jealous!! How far is wawa from the soo?

[Falcon20]

www.nlmotel.com

[polarisrider1]

Polarisrider1--

i'm jealous!! How far is wawa from the soo?

About 3 to 3 1/2 hrs. Very scenic Ride up.

[polarisrider1]

Me and Wawa riding. too sweet!

[hemi_newman]

Were all these pics taken recently? If it is im so jelous

[techsledder]

Me and Wawa riding. too sweet!

Now that's some awesome looking power line riding right there mister!

[getsome]

Are you kidding me with the pics, you were out to Halfway already ?

[polarisrider1]

The deck pic. is in Wawa and the power lines are north of Wawa about 15 miles North west. The power lines run from the dam on the Magpie to the west.

[polarisrider1]

The deck pic. is in Wawa and the power lines are north of Wawa about 15 miles North west. The power lines run from the dam on the Magpie to the west.

[polarisrider1]

Going back this weekend.

[pawz]

Don't forget your trail permit $$$$. Oh and remember the trails have not been opened by the ofsc. Check their web site. Not nearly as informative as Michigan.

[getsome]

The hydrolines all look so similar. the pic resembled the trail intersection south of H.H.
Any first timers, be sure to bring a spare set of ski's....off trail = bent ski. hahaha
Great area to ride, most cases closer for flatlanders to drive than the Kewanaw.

[ubee]

stay home, Grand Rapids will have over 30 inchs on the ground soon !! How much is Ontario trail permit ?

[wolfriver]

Do you need a passport or just a valid US drivers license to cross the border?

[getsome]

http://www.ofsc.on.ca/Permits/CostPlacementTypes.asp

You must have a Passport or Upgraded Drivers License.

[pawz]

$250 for the year and not much less for a week pass. Not kidding. That is why I come to the U.P. and ride. There is much more info at your finger tips for Michigan as well.

[pawz]

$250 to ride now for the year and not much less for a week pass. This is why I come to the U.P., and there is much more info to be had. I think 25 or should I say 35 now is a great deal. I have found the trails to be kept up very well especially for just $35.

[famousguy]

polarisrider1 Is the guy on the Summit X you? He looks familiar to me.....

[polarisrider1]

not me famousguy, I have the red sled. I sent you an email. Note: If Ofsc trails are not open officially then you can ride them at your own risk without a permit. I got that info from a permit selling agent. I buy the permit and ride all day with out seeing hardly anyone. Besides who rides trails? I bring a passport. A passport or that fancy drivers license (not sure what it is called) to come back home. Bonus: Duty Free store= great prices on Booze on the way up. Exchange money at welcome center or Casino in the Soo. Canada riding is not for the meek. Ontario Off trail is not for the sane! Bring a GPS.

[polarisrider1]

getsome- It is amazing what SLP and gripper skis can take. March is the best riding in the Algoma, Ontario region. Lots of rocks, cliffs and trees all to myself and my riding buds. It puts the "T" in Technical riding.

[pawz]

If you ride on an Ontario trail that is closed then you open yourself up to a trespassing charge. Just thought you should know.

[polarisrider1]

pawz, were did you get that info. send me a link. i have been riding their trails for 30 yrs. I always buy a permit. A permit seller stated to me that I did not need to buy if trails were not open. This only came up once back in 02 or 03. I buy permits early for discount anyways. I would drop $800 for 4 sled permits and not bat an eye. All good things have a price. It is a value thing with me. Perceived or not. kinda like oil.

[polarisrider1]

http://www.ofsc.on.ca/Downloads/Com/PSAAssumptions09.pdf Read the very last line. Open trails.

[polarisrider1]

http://www.wawasnoriders.com/

[pawz]

I live in Ontario and go through this every year. Yes, good idea to buy early to save a few bucks. I have always been advised of the trespassing issue. Lots of the ofsc trails are on private land, depending where you are and because of our stupid laws and insurance red tape it can be a problem if the ofsc has not declared the trail open. We have been warned by local authorities of this in the past. We have also seen it were the land owner in the middle of the snowmobile season because of unrelated issues with the government will declare the ofsc trail closed that runs through his property just to get attention about his issue with the government. This has also happened because sledders with not stay on the designated trail or ride on the trail to early in the season when it is still declared closed. Well I have heard the grass is always greener. I enjoy the U.P.

[pawz]

I have been riding for about 40 years and do realize that farther north the trail issues are less. There is more crown land and less private. I have noticed quite a difference once you get north of North Bay.

[se3racing]

I have to agree with Polarisrider1 its pricey but Perrrrfect. Nobody on the trails and you can boondock till you are totaly lost. Everyone should try it once before you knock it.

[polarisrider1]

I have been riding for about 40 years and do realize that farther north the trail issues are less. There is more crown land and less private. I have noticed quite a difference once you get north of North Bay.

Thank you for the input pawz, I ride about 300 to 400 miles North west of North Bay and it is about 99% Crown land. Minimal issues. actually no issues ever. From the Soo to the Hudson Bay, I am welcomed with open arms. The Canadian People are very nice to americans. We can learn a lot from that.

[pawz]

Thats nice to hear. I kind of feel the same way when I visit the U.P. Just wondering how easy it is to get fuel in the Great White North AA!!! ?

[ubee]

Where I ride in Ontario you dont need a trail permit if you dont ride the clubs trails! Sometimes they groom sometimes the dont! IF I ride their trails I buy their permit! Thunder Bay club seems to have poor management and money issues most of the time!

[pawz]

Where I ride in Ontario if you don't ride on the club trails you are definitely trespassing. Therefore a permit is mandatory. Going to make a trip up to Gaylord or even Newberry/Grand Marias area next week. $35 permit for the year. Cheaper fuel, booze and lodging, even with the exchange. Can't wait.

[ubee]

maybe in southern ontario where most land is privatly owned, maybe the case.but in northwest ontario, theres more crown land than private, therefor free, in fact if you have a fishing lic and are specifically hauling gear for ice fishing, you can ride the groomed trail to access your ice fishing spot. done it many times

[phil4snow]

Trail Permit is worth the price everytime in Northern Ontario. First year the exchange rate was in our favor and it seems to go to be true then the next year it did a 180 on us. Oh well still a great time. It felt like my group had the whole providence to ourselves. We were first tracks on a groomed trail and when we got to the next stop we asked when the groomer went throught. They said ummm it had to be several days ago. Oh how I miss those powerlines and the air you can get just riding a groomed trail there!

[polarisrider1]

stacking up nicely.

[General Lee]

We've ridden Wawa area and to the north several times before, incredible terrain and scenery. Too bad the border bs and the riding fees have made it too ridiculous for us to make the trip........it's sweet riding, but not THAT sweet. Western UP is a nice alternative!

[techsledder]

"stacking up nicely."
^^^^ Awesome!^^^^

Polarisrider1, How is it this weekend up there on the sled?

[polarisrider1]

"stacking up nicely."
^^^^ Awesome!^^^^

Polarisrider1, How is it this weekend up there on the sled?

I didn't go. got pic from friends web site. Family stuff today. Joy! Joy!

[polarisrider1]

I do miss the 52% -54% in our favor exchnge rate of 2001-03 era. Then I could buy the whole family(5) season passes. Of course we all were working back then too. Wawa motels have gotton insane on lodging prices. It is because they are being taxed out of business they claim. Gas at $8-$9 a gallon at 1/2way haven. best to stay home. (hint, hint).

[phil4snow]

All these pictures were taken around Wawa Ontario.

Each trip I take about 300 pictures. Yes it is THAT fun!

[hemi_newman]

how far is this from Rice Lake,WI?

[snowpromod]

The picture with the cat is from last year, check out the snow cam on the NLMotel website! They have the pic with the cat posted for a comparison to last year.

[polarisrider1]

All these pictures were taken around Wawa Ontario.

Each trip I take about 300 pictures. Yes it is THAT fun!

We may have let the cat out of the bag with those pics.

[polarisrider1]

The picture with the cat is from last year, check out the snow cam on the NLMotel website! They have the pic with the cat posted for a comparison to last year.

Mo constantly takes pics of her cats. The pic I posted was from the 18th of this month. go to www.NLmotel.com to confirm.

[phil4snow]

First time to Ontario my Dad and I went on a tour. We did the "Touch the Artic Edge"
http://www.comeplayinthesnow.on.ca/

For your first time there that is the way to go. fyi one of the guides had a satellite phone and a gas powered winch.

We had to portage around a dam/waterfall which involved lowering the sleds down a "hill" with a rope so we didnt gain speed and miss the turn at the bottom . Oh the stories could go on and on...

[polarisrider1]

Mo constantly takes pics of her cats. The pic I posted was from the 17th of this month. go to www.NLmotel.com to confirm.

Forgot to mention the snow cam page is labeled 08-09 but the pic I posted is 09. I will email Mo and John to find out why she hasn't labeled it seperate from 08 to 09 like she did in prevoius yrs. Also note they are no longer open to the public in the winter. Wawa motor lodge or Bristol are still open yr. round.

[polarisrider1]

Forgot to mention the snow cam page is labeled 08-09 but the pic I posted is 09. I will email Mo and John to find out why she hasn't labeled it seperate from 08 to 09 like she did in prevoius yrs. Also note they are no longer open to the public in the winter. Wawa motor lodge or Bristol are still open yr. round.

hope this clarifies thing a little better for you snowpromo

[longtrack]

You forgot to tell everyone that it is possible that they may be able to ride at -30 degrees also.

We used to go to Longlac every year and Bush ride along with a little ice Fishing and it can get very Cold up there.
We never had to buy a trail Permit in Longlac and yes it is all Crown Land where we rode.

[snowpromod]

I am not trying to argue here - but if you look at their site it shows the picture that is marked Dec 20, 2009 with 1.5 cases burried and right next to it the picture from dec 18 with the cat that was posted earlier up . . . and the caption above the two photos -

"Wow - look at last year's snow! That was insane...."

They have snow, just not as much as they did this time last year!!

[General Lee]

All these pictures were taken around Wawa Ontario.

Each trip I take about 300 pictures. Yes it is THAT fun!

I agree that it is fun, but you can take 2 western UP trips (from s michigan) for the price of 1 ON trip! Ever go to Big Bay in da' UP? Head sw from town and the elevation keeps climbing (to the highest point in the state, Mt. Arvon) which puts you in touch with waterfals, beaver ponds, etc. You will give your longtrack a workout, don't forget your shovel & gas can! The pictures you can take are like postcards. Like 2 hillclimb.......better take your hood off before you go out, TONS of off trail riding! We'd still do ON trips, great memories, but for the cost (and ALOT less hassle) u can double up on some incredible riding, on or off trail and MI's most remote trail from BB to Baraga. We prefer to keep our $ here in the state and enjoy the extreme hospitality and scenery. Have fun in Wawa, we'll be doing the same with fatter wallets!! LOL Have a great season folks, not bashing at all :-).

[pawz]

http://www.wawasnoriders.com/

http://ofsc.on.ca/Permits/CostPlacementTypes.asp

Check this one out. Re-riding on an ofsc trail without a permit.

[famousguy]

http://ofsc.on.ca/Permits/CostPlacementTypes.asp

Check this one out. Re-riding on an ofsc trail without a permit.

You only need the permit when the trails are open. If the OFSC website has a trail listed as closed, you do not need a permit.

[polarisrider1]

You only need the permit when the trails are open. If the OFSC website has a trail listed as closed, you do not need a permit.

Thank you. It always seems the trail opens while I am up there anyways. I usually get the seasonal permit and buy it early to save some bling. Looks like Ontario is the place to be again this yr. Planning a Marathon to Manitouwadge (Hillsport) and back power line trip.

[polarisrider1]

You forgot to tell everyone that it is possible that they may be able to ride at -30 degrees also.

We used to go to Longlac every year and Bush ride along with a little ice Fishing and it can get very Cold up there.
We never had to buy a trail Permit in Longlac and yes it is all Crown Land where we rode.

You are right about the cold. It is a roll of the dice. I prefer March riding in Northern Ontario. (rocks are way more covered). Nothing like it. And its closer for me than the western part of the UP.

[dave]

My son and I are going to Wawa during his spring break at Michigan Tech. March 5th to March 14th. Any recommendations on places to stay. Would prefer some place where we could cook our own food as I don't want to eat out every meal. Thanks

[woodi]

The Bristol is snowmobile friendly. They gave us a ride downtown 4 supper since we backed into town.

[sinjin]

Dave, hard to beat one of the chalets at Wawa motor inn. They are hand made log cabins with fireplace and full kitchen that have 2 bedrooms with 2 double beds in each. Good restaurant and bar, park sleds in front of your door, and easy trail access.

[ubee]

Do you park your sleds in front of your door for security reasons or just for convieniance?When race was in Thunder Bay lots of sleds stolen from local motels! Is theft a big problem up there?