Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Advice for getting to island cottage in winter?

JTA · 11-03-2005, 08:45 PM

I've traveled over the ice to my island place for 25+ years. I've walked, snowmobiled and driven out in a 4WD. The ice conditions and weather are usually never the same, but February is a safe bet for good thick ice. My best walk over (2 1/2miles) was on a warm February day. There was a nice pack of snow on the ice that could be walked on, or I walked in the snowmobile tracks. I pulled a toboggan behind me with my gear. Two days later, the temperature dropped to zero and the west wind kicked up. By layering my clothes and wearing a ski mask and with proper boots, I was fine walking back. You should have a way of checking the ice conditions in your area. If there is no snow on the ice, it will be hazardously slippery ... you will need some kind of metal creepers that strap onto your boots. If there is a lot of new snow on the ice you will have a difficult walk. My message is ... adapt to the conditions. My best bet is that you should be OK in February. You will be amazed at the personality of the Lake in the winter. Keep and eye on the Forum for ice condition reports and watch the weather. ENJOY!

11-03-2005, 08:45 PM	#2
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 34 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	I've traveled over the ice to my island place for 25+ years. I've walked, snowmobiled and driven out in a 4WD. The ice conditions and weather are usually never the same, but February is a safe bet for good thick ice. My best walk over (2 1/2miles) was on a warm February day. There was a nice pack of snow on the ice that could be walked on, or I walked in the snowmobile tracks. I pulled a toboggan behind me with my gear. Two days later, the temperature dropped to zero and the west wind kicked up. By layering my clothes and wearing a ski mask and with proper boots, I was fine walking back. You should have a way of checking the ice conditions in your area. If there is no snow on the ice, it will be hazardously slippery ... you will need some kind of metal creepers that strap onto your boots. If there is a lot of new snow on the ice you will have a difficult walk. My message is ... adapt to the conditions. My best bet is that you should be OK in February. You will be amazed at the personality of the Lake in the winter. Keep and eye on the Forum for ice condition reports and watch the weather. ENJOY!