From local ski enthusiast Jeff Kriner:
+++
We are looking at clearing some brush on some expert terrain at Mt. Ashwabay and would love some help. Some areas have been neglected the past few years, and it's made skiing those areas sketchy. 

Saturday, October 17th we will be meeting at the hill at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot.  If you are up for helping out, please dress smart, including eye protection and bring any tools you think might be helpful in clearing brush.  If you don't have any tools, feel free to bring some gasoline for powered tools or just your hands will be great as well.

Absolutely no children at this event, as it could be potentially dangerous. If you have a very responsible teen who is up for a hard days work, then by all means he/she can join us.  

We plan on starting on Hemlock, and if there is time and man-power, then taking on the spine of Jodi's run and the area under the upper chair lift.  Bravo and Scalpers have some lighter vegetation that can be taken out too if we have time.

I know this seems like a daunting task, but it will make such a difference in the stoke factor at the hill this winter.  Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
​
/// UPDATE ///
There will be some folks clearing more brush Saturday, 10/24.
Keith Opperman has a serious brush clearing machine, and has obtained one from Washburn Hardware and one from CBS gratis. Keith has requested that folks bring a container of gasoline to help make these machines run.
Eye & ear protection,  gloves & boots, adults & very responsible teens only.
Thanks much! We are stoked  for the dozens  of knee deep powder days we are going to have this winter!
+++

• If you'd like to know more, or find other ways to help Mt Ashwabay get ready for winter, please contact us HERE

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's wonderful Big Tap ChautauquaFest. The day was highlighted with great weather, great food, great brews, great music, and great FUN!

Several hundred guests enjoyed this favorite fall event, which benefits the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and the Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation. Kevin and Terry with Big Top dubbed this year's fest as "the best Big Tap yet." Thank you!

Special shout-out to the Volunteers who went above and beyond to make this day special.
•Coke Lindsey •Paul Norris •Sue Radtke •Randy Fahrenkrog •Sara Sneed •Kjirsten Sneed Lee •Dr. John Telford •Holly Pierce •Steve Pierce

This year's 'Fatty 5k' featured delicacies from over 20 area restaurants, producers, and caterers.
•2nd Street Bistro •Bayfield Inn •Bodin's Fisheries •Coco's Cafe •Sixth Street Market •Village Inn •Good Thyme Catering •Frankie's Pizza •Fat Radish •Penokee Mountain Foods •Ashland Baking Co. •Happy Hollow Creamery •Delta Diner •Legendary Waters •Upper Lakes Foods •Erickson Orchards •Tetzner's Dairy •Harbor House Sweets •Big Water Coffee •Trinko's Sausage •Benoit Cheese

​​Under the 'Big Tent' guests enjoyed samples from breweries, wineries, distilleries, and distributors. •Coney Island Hard Root Beer •Leiny Harvest Shandy •Vikre Vodka and Gins •Perlick Vodka •Squatters Craft Beers •Wasatch Craft Beers •St. Ambroise Oatmeal •Forbidden Secret Mocha Cream •South Shore Brewery •Doane Beer •O’so •Capital Brewery •Goose Island •Sam Adams Fall Collection •New Glarus •Minocqua Brewing •Gray Brewing Co. •White Winter Winery •Bayfield Winery •All Sisters Winery •Dogfish Head •Bell’s •Schell’s •Big Wood •3rd Shift •Central Waters

Mt Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area has been awarded a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation for the addition of a Tubing Hill and other infrastructure improvements.

This grant includes a generous $45,000 gift from the Otto Bremer Foundation with an additional $25,000 gift when that amount is raised from the community.

Carol Fahrenkrog, General Manager of Mt Ashwabay, “The Otto Bremer Foundation grant requires a match of $25,000 from the community so we have started a campaign to reach this goal this Fall. We are calling it The Little Hill That Could $25,000 Grant Match.”

Mt Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area is operated by Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation (AOEF) a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. AOEF was established in 2002 with the Mission to provide year-round opportunities and programs to people of all ages promoting the enjoyment of the outdoors. The Foundation is a community-based, family-oriented organization. It seeks to create opportunities for citizens of the south shore of Lake Superior to participate in, and contribute to, the outdoor culture of the region.

With Mt Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area as the base for activities, the Foundation has an outstanding venue for healthful recreation that enhances physical fitness. It also is a great place for community members and families to come together.

Carol Fahrenkrog, General Manager, “Many families in our community are in need of a fun and healthy winter excursion. The new tubing hill will be an exciting and refreshing venue for our south shore community and visiting guests.”

For more information contact Carol Fahrenkrog at 715-779-3227 or via email HERE
To contribute to this campaign, donations can be mailed to:
Mt Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area
PO Box 1401
Bayfield, WI 54814

Further information about donations may be found HERE

Hosted by Big Top Chautauqua and the Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation, Big TAP features brews under the big tent, local cuisine on the “Fatty 5K” trek, a commemorative tasting glass, live music, wagon rides, hammerschalagan and more.

Spend an autumn afternoon enjoying unlimited samples of local, regional, and craft brews from more than 30 breweries, wineries and distilleries beneath the Big Top tent. The stage will be featuring live music from Crescent Moon and Hoff Stevens. Take a break for the “Fatty 5K” gourmet tasting adventure featuring area restaurants, producers, and caterers. Participants can hike or take a leisurely wagon ride, winding up and around Nordic and alpine ski trails, before crossing the ridge of Mt. Ashwabay. The vista offers outstanding views of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands, with the Big Top tent in the foreground.

Brews and Special Craft include: Coney Island Hard Root Beer,  Leiny Harvest Shandy, Vikre Vodka and Gins, Perlick Vodka, Squatters Craft Beers, Wasatch Craft Beers, St. Ambroise Oatmeal,  Forbidden Secret Mocha Cream, South Shore Brewery, Doane Beer, O’so, Capital Brewery, Goose Island, Sam Adams Fall Collection, New Glarus, Minocqua Brewing, Gray Brewing Co., White Winter Winery, Bayfield Winery, All Sisters Winery, Dogfish Head, Bell’s, Schell’s, Big Wood, 3rd Shift, Central Waters + MORE TO COME!

Food from Local Vendors include: 2nd street Bistro, Good Thyme Catering, The Bayfield Inn, Cafe Coco, Bodin’s Fisheries, Sixth Street Market, Penokee Mountain Foods, Ashland Baking Company, Happy Hallow Cheese, Erickson’s Orchard , Trinko’s Sausage, Tetzner’s Dairy, Portside Restaurant, Harbor House Sweets, The Village Inn, Frankie’s Pizza, Big Water Coffee, Upper Lakes Foods, Legendary Waters, Fat Radish + MORE!

• Buy tickets HERE