A bitter cold week sapped the impetus out of the joys of being outside.  That was the downside to the week. The good news is that temperatures this weekend will begin a steady rise that will carry into the upcoming week.  The week ahead may bring a winning combination of decent snow cover and moderate (for January) temperatures.

 Cold weather rarely brings snow of any consequence but certainly serves to hold such snow as we have. That is good news for skiers and snowmobilers. Both camps can take some satisfaction in that. Ski trails have shown steady improvement as a few small snowfalls can add up. This weekend and next week should find good to very good trail conditions on all area ski trails.  Warmer weather will help make it more reasonable to get out and enjoy skiing.

 Snowmobile trails take more snow to get a good base and can get beaten down faster under heavy use. Conditions over the holiday week were good, all things considered. Trails can now be groomed with some consistency and most lakes and low, wet areas are rideable. The weekend should bring good trail conditions though be aware of some thin spots in sections of heavy use.

 Keep in mind that snowmobile trails can vary a fair amount based on the simple fact that some areas of the county (and region) can pick up an inch or two of snow more than other areas that are not too far away. So a trail may have some sections that run thin but transition into areas of better cover.  Trails in the north and west of Oneida County have generally had more snow and are running pretty good.

 The hard cold has added to lake ice but that cold has also cut into anglers being willing to get out on the ice. Let’s face it, ice fishing in the minus teens can be a challenge. The warming weather ahead should bring better conditions for ice fishing and we expect steady angling success in the week ahead.

The Outdoor Report is provided by the staff of Mel’s Trading Post in downtown Rhinelander.