Special Events & Programs

We may be a small operation, but we've got a lot going on. Our schedule is chock-full of fun and unique special events, and we're always adding more.

Community Potluck & Visioning Session for Nordic Trails
MONDAY, MARCH 24TH

6:00 pm: Potluck dinner and an open bar (wine and beer) to celebrate another fantastic Nordic ski season at Mt. Ashwabay
7:00 pm: Interactive Community Visioning Session to create a shared vision for the future of Ashwabay Nordic.

You are invited! We’re excited to invite you to an end-of-season Potluck and Community Visioning Session to help shape the future of Mt. Ashwabay Nordic Skiing! This is a unique opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback on how we can enhance the Nordic skiing experience in our community.

At this session, we’ll be discussing:
- The future of Mt. Ashwabay Nordic Skiing
- Ideas for new amenities, facilities, and improvements
- Ways to improve accessibility and community engagement
- Your suggestions and dreams for the Nordic ski experience!

Your voice matters, and we want to ensure that our vision reflects the needs and hopes of our community. Whether you're a season pass holder, dedicated volunteer, member of the Sugarbush 25 Club, aspiring beginner, or a community member interested in the future of our area, your input is valuable. We can all work together to elevate the status of Mt. Ashwabay as a Nordic skiing destination in the upper midwest and enhance the Nordic skiing experience for season pass holders and guests of the Mt. Ashwabay trails

Spring Carnival
March 8, 2025

Join us in celebrating an amazing 2024/25 season at Mt. Ashwabay.  Fun for the whole family- we have plenty of memorable activities for you! 
10:00 am Radar Run  Results
11:30pm Obstacle Course  Results
1:30 pm Costume Contest
2:00 pm Cardboard Box Derby
2:45 pm Penguin Slide
3:30pm-ish Awards
4:15PM Candy Cannon
Award Details/Rules:
10:00 am Radar Run
Fastest Run WINS!!!  Age Groups: 10 & under, 11 - 15, 16 – 20, 21 +  

11:30pm Obstacle Course
A fun and creative course for everyone! 10 & under, 11 - 15, 16 – 20,
21 +

1:30 pm Costume Contest
Retro or Fun!  A time to dress up and enjoy!  10 & under, Group Costume, Individual

2:00 pm Cardboard Box Derby
Cardboard Box Race Rules:  Can only be constructed of cardboard, tape, glue, and string. Added decorations that are not structural are permitted (paint, beads, décor, etc.)
--The bottom can be waxed
--No wood or metal frames
--No skis on the bottom of the box
Award categories:  Design (1st, 2nd, 3rd), Ages up to 8th grade (1st, 2nd, 3rd), Ages 9th grade and up (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

2:45 pm Penguin Slide
​**Bring your own Garbage Bag.
Fastest Male & Female to the bottom of the slope wins! Age Groups: 10 & under, 11-15, 16 & older

Winter Programs
Holiday Mini-Camps
Our popular Holiday Mini-Camps offer a chance for youth to learn a skill, and opportunities to grow and improve. We gather instructors to help with beginners in either our Learn-to-Ski Camp or our popular Learn-to-Board Camp .
MADski Youth Program
This long-running running program is for youth ages 6-14 years. Volunteer instructors work closely with students and parents to instill a love of skiing and snowboarding.
At the heart of the program is family involvement. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as coaches, and in doing so learn skills they can carry forward and use after the Program. This is a perennial family favorite!
4-H CANski Club
The Chequamegon Area Nordic Ski Club is a partnership between Ashland and Bayfield County 4-H and local schools. Their mission is promoting fun, fitness, safety and excellence in the lifelong sport of cross country skiing. 4-H CANski provides ongoing instruction, social opportunities and leadership development for all levels. We emphasize technique, conditioning, safety and provide leadership opportunities in a fun filled atmosphere in the great outdoors.
Friday Youth Nights
Mt Ashwabay is open for skiing and boarding Friday nights from 4-9 pm, and several local businesses have offered to subsidize the cost of rental and tickets for youth grades 6-12. With their help, we are able to offer $17 lift tickets with FREE rentals. Come on up and enjoy winter!
NASTAR Alpine Ski & Snowboard Racing
NASTAR (National Standard Racing) is a great opportunity for participants of all ages to race a giant slalom course and compare results to others in their age category across the nation. Participants ages 6 and under race free. NASTAR is open to Alpine Skiers, Boarders, and Telemark Skiers. We always appreciate assistance setting up and tearing down the course, so arrive a little early or plan to stick around afterwards if you have time.
Mt Ashwabay Summit Nordic Ski Race
​The annual race showcases 45 kilometers of skate and classic cross country trails at Mt. Ashwabay and the adjacent Jerry Jolly trails. The trail system is a regional hub for cross country skiers because of the reliable grooming, scenic setting and the duration of snow cover.  This event utilizes courses that gives skiers a chance to ski the Northern Lights trail, which climbs through mature stands of birch, maple and hemlocks on the back side of the ridge. The Ashwabay Summit Tour  includes a 15K adult skate race; a 25K adult continuous pursuit event (10K classic + 15K skate); a 3.5K freestyle event for youth and middle schoolers; and a 7K Wisconsin Nordic Ski League high school race, and a college race.
Individual & Group Instruction
We have a variety of talented instructors with years of experience available, so whether this is your first time on snow, or you’re looking to take your skiing or snowboarding to the next level, a Lesson is a great way to go. We are happy to schedule lessons for individuals or groups.

Ashwabay Junior Race Program 

Coaches will help kids (ages 6 to 12) to learn techniques and tactics for ski/snowboard racing without all the jargon associated with being "overcoached.' Fun drills and courses designed for kids. A great stepping stone for getting that higher medal in Nastar and for getting kids ready for a great racing "career" at Ashwabay.
​Snowboarders or skiers are welcome. Skiers/riders must have season pass/lift ticket and equipment/rentals.
Ages: 6 - 12
Dates and Time:
Saturdays 10-Noon, Feb 8th - Mar 1, 2025
Skill Level:
Intermediate plus, LEVEL 4/5 required
Fees:
Until Feb. 4, 2025 at midnight ~ $20 per session or $70 for all 4 sessions
After Feb. 4, 2025 ~ $25 per session or $90 for all 4 sessions

​Pre registration is strongly encouraged, day of sign up may not be available.
​
Registration Form Here
​
Please sign up by email to [email protected]
Or call 715-779-3227.

King & Queen of the Mountain

​SUNDAY, February 23rd
The annual Rychel Cup Race Series is open to all skills and all ages. Racers compete in 2-Slalom, 2-Giant Slalom, and 2-Super G events.  Winners are declared in eleven Men's and Women's categories.

1st –3rd place medals awarded in each age group Women's & Men's, 7 & under, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18-20, 21-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40 +
Check In: 10:00am
Lifts Open: 10:30am
Race Starts: 11:00am

2 Slalom, 2 Giant Slalom, 2 Super-G Races 
​
$20 Gate Fee to benefit Racing Program

To Register:  If you have ever raced Nastar in the past at any resort: Log in to your race record at Nastar.com.
If you don’t know your Nastar Registration #, search by your name.
Create a login if you don’t already have one.
Accept the waiver terms if prompted to do so.
Once in your own race records, click on Enter a Race
Search for Mt. Ashwabay - King and Queen of Mtn NASTAR 250223
Click on the name of the race then Confirm and Register.
On race day morning you will still need to be assigned a BIB# and pay, but you’ve already signed the necessary waiver and are registered for the race.
If this will be your first Nastar race ever and you would like to get a Nastar Registration # and pre-register for this race, go to Nastar.com and click on REGISTER in the menu options.
Questions? Email [email protected]
A Fun Race for the Whole Family!
FASTEST TIMES WILL BE CROWNED THE KING/QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN!