The leaves are down, the mornings are starting to be cooler. Winter is coming soon to northern Iron County, and the White Thunder Riders have been busy getting ready for it.
What’s been happening on the trails
Snowmobile trails don’t open themselves. Since 1970 this club has kept the trails in northern Iron County open with volunteer hours, and fall is when brushing and prep work happens.
Brushing. Crews have been out cutting back the brush, saplings and overhanging branches that grew in over the summer. A clear trail is safer, gives groomers room to work, and keeps branches off you and your sled.
Working with landowners. Many of our trails cross private land, and they’re only here because landowners say yes. Please thank them by staying on the marked trail.
Getting the groomers ready. Our grooming fleet is getting preseason checks and regular maintenance. Grooming starts once the ground is frozen and there’s enough snow to pack.
We share many of these trails with the Iron County ATV Club in the warmer months, and we appreciate their help keeping them in shape.
Thank you, volunteers
None of this happens without our volunteers. About 50 active members put in the hours, brushing in the fall and grooming all winter. If you put in time on the trails, thank you.
How you can help
- Join or renew. The 2026 family and commercial membership forms are on our Membership page, and you can pay online with PayPal.
- Volunteer. We can always use another set of hands, in the woods this fall or on the groomer this winter. Members with 25 or more work hours a year are invited to our summer golf outing.
- Come to a meeting. We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the clubhouse/groomer shack. From December through March we also meet the 4th Wednesday to coordinate grooming.
- Donate. Every trail dollar goes into equipment. You can donate online or use the cash drop and QR codes at the map boxes at our commercial members.
- Support our sponsors. Our commercial members help keep the trails open. Stop in and tell them you ride with White Thunder.
Before you ride
- Get your Wisconsin trail pass and registration through the AWSC.
- Stay on the marked trail and off the lakes unless they’re marked safe.
- Yield to groomers and logging traffic.
- Check the trail map and our Facebook page for trail conditions and opening news. We’ll post there as soon as the trails open.
Let’s make 2026-27 a great one. See you on the trails.
White Thunder Riders, Hurley, WI
