What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
On a mild winter afternoon in Rhinelander, about 30 people gathered at the Long Lake Nature Trail with snowshoes strapped to their boots and anticipation in their eyes. Some were seasoned veterans of Northwoods winters. Others had never glided across snow on webbed frames before.
This was Mel’s Trading Post‘s second annual snowshoeing event, and it captured something essential about life up north: the simple joy of getting outside when the world is wrapped in white.
Temperatures hit 45 degrees that day — practically balmy for a Wisconsin winter. But the real warmth came from the crackling bonfire, the marshmallows on sticks, and the sight of families exploring a trail that’s been here longer than most of us.
Emily Popp, front-end manager at Mel’s, helped organize the event alongside Pete and Tabitha from Holiday Acres Resort. The partnership makes perfect sense when you know the territory.
Holiday Acres sits right on Rhinelander’s east side, adjacent to the Long Lake trail system. The resort has been welcoming guests for 76 years, spanning four generations of family ownership.
Mel’s has been outfitting locals and visitors since 1946, when founder Mel Mode returned home after the war and joined what was then simply called The Trading Post. Today, the store still occupies the same historic corner at King and Brown Streets downtown, complete with original flooring from when the building served as a Montgomery Ward.
“We just kind of wanted to get people to get outside and have the chance to do something maybe they haven’t done before,” Popp explained.
That spirit — encouraging folks to try something new while honoring old traditions — defines the Northwoods approach to recreation.
Here’s what makes snowshoeing such a brilliant winter activity for the Northwoods: almost anyone can do it. No chairlifts required. No lessons necessary.
If you can walk, you can snowshoe. The learning curve is about five minutes.
“People actually made it out today using our rental fleet. Snowshoes are only 10 dollars a day to rent, so it’s a really easy hobby to try.” — Emily Popp, Mel’s Trading Post
That $10-a-day rental price removes the biggest barrier to entry. You don’t need to invest hundreds in equipment before discovering whether you enjoy the sport.
Mel’s rental fleet includes both snowshoes and cross-country skis, giving winter enthusiasts options depending on conditions and comfort level. The store’s year-round approach means they’re supporting outdoor activity whether there’s snow on the ground or paddlers on the lakes.
The Long Lake Nature Trail offers something special: scenic overlooks of the water paired with wooded paths that feel properly Northwoods without being intimidating.
Located near Holiday Acres Resort, the trail system provides gentle terrain ideal for beginners. Experienced snowshoers can push deeper into the forest, while families with young kids can stay closer to the trailhead.
That versatility matters. Winter events succeed when they welcome everyone, not just the hardcore outdoor crowd.
The mild weather during this year’s event — unusual for January or February — actually helped draw people who might otherwise hesitate. Sometimes a 45-degree day is exactly what newcomers need to take that first step onto the trail.
Events like this don’t happen by accident. They require businesses willing to invest time and energy into community engagement rather than just ringing up sales.
Both Mel’s Trading Post and Holiday Acres were recently nominated for the inaugural Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards — Mel’s in the Outdoor Business category and Holiday Acres as an Outdoor Destination. The recognition reflects years of commitment to making the Northwoods accessible and welcoming.
Mel’s hosts monthly Kendall’s Korner events with free classes on native Wisconsin plants and animals. They maintain active social media to keep the community informed about upcoming activities. The store even has a history of helping local kids buy bikes on layaway for paper routes — the kind of gesture that builds loyalty across generations.
Here’s what you need to know about finding similar events:
The goal isn’t complicated: get people outside, share the traditions that make this place special, and maybe introduce someone to their new favorite winter activity.
Snowshoeing events do more than provide exercise. They counter the isolation that can creep in during long Northwoods winters.
When you gather 30 people around a bonfire after a trail hike, conversations happen. Newcomers meet locals. Families discover other families who enjoy the same activities. Tips get shared about other trails, other seasons, other ways to explore the region.
This kind of social fabric strengthens the entire community. It reminds residents why they chose to live here and shows visitors what makes the Northwoods more than just a collection of lakes and forests.
The partnership between a family-owned sporting goods store and a multi-generational resort captures something essential about how small communities thrive: by working together, by sharing resources, by prioritizing people over profits.
As Popp noted, Mel’s plans to host more events featuring other recreational options they offer. That could mean paddling demonstrations in spring, mountain bike clinics in summer, or fishing workshops in fall.
The season changes, but the underlying mission stays constant: help people connect with the outdoors in meaningful ways.
Long Lake isn’t going anywhere. The trail will be there next weekend and the weekend after that, waiting under whatever snow the sky decides to send.
The question is whether you’ll be there too, strapping on a pair of snowshoes and discovering what our neighbors already know: winter isn’t something to endure up north. It’s something to embrace.
Grab a rental from Mel’s for ten bucks. Bring the kids or bring a friend. Pack some marshmallows and maybe a thermos of coffee.
The Northwoods winter is happening whether you’re inside watching it or outside experiencing it. Events like the Long Lake snowshoe gathering simply make the choice easier — and more welcoming — for everyone willing to take that first step into the snow.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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