snowmobiling on the lake

whkhawks · 02-25-2019, 05:04 PM

New to snowmobiling and I'm looking to ride on the lake. I am in Alton and would like to ride over to Wolfeboro. Wondering how thick the ice is and is this safe to do. Thanks

JADAQ · 02-25-2019, 06:18 PM

Plenty safe for a machine but be aware of any pressure ridges out near the broads

Not to Worry · 02-26-2019, 08:03 AM

Sorry correct answer is the lake is never plenty safe. There are always areas that are changing due to currents etc, For example I would never pass under bridges or between islands (hole in the wall comes to mind). Years ago when I asked the same question I was given a more prudent answer that advised a much more cautious approach. That advice saved me 1x as I was head towards Lee's Mill and having been warned about the area I was able to see the open water ahead.

I always wore picks and never assumed I was ever safe.

joey2665 · 02-26-2019, 08:48 AM

Great advice. Whenever I ride on the lake I always let someone know and never go without picks whether it’s by Snowmobile or ice fishing

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

MAXUM · 02-26-2019, 03:20 PM

While there are areas of the lake that are notably never safe the aforementioned path does not include any areas of concern other than pressure ridges that may be present between point A and B.

Leoskeys · 03-13-2019, 09:03 PM

I’m not a snowmobiler, but my wife and I snowshoed from minge cove Alton to Moose Island this Tuesday and saw huge pressure ridges running for about 200 yards from south of treasure island towards Alton bay. Some stuck stuck two or three feet up out of the ice.

fatlazyless · 03-31-2019, 07:15 AM

They is still out there ...... yesterday, March 30, 2019 at about 6-pm, a buzz of seven snowmobiles buzzed past my spot, going fast, heading from Horse Island across, towards Gilford.

Just the smallest of small black water, natural openings have opened up at both ends of Horse Island. Ice is still winter white with some good grip on it, not turning gray yet ..... although it could change to gray very fast what with today's 50-temps and high humidity-drizzle.

Yesterday had a couple ice fishermen out below Cattle Landing with a portable bob-house tent set up..... out there ..... today, March 31, is the last day for fishing from, or through the ice, in New Hampshire. No more drilling a hole in the ice and going ice fishing ...... effective April 1 ..... even though there seems to be miles of quality ice still on the lake, so late in the season.

02-25-2019, 05:04 PM	#1
whkhawks Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 14 Thanks: 19 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	snowmobiling on the lake New to snowmobiling and I'm looking to ride on the lake. I am in Alton and would like to ride over to Wolfeboro. Wondering how thick the ice is and is this safe to do. Thanks

02-26-2019, 08:03 AM	#3
Not to Worry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 191 Thanks: 93 Thanked 84 Times in 55 Posts	Never Plenty Safe Sorry correct answer is the lake is never plenty safe. There are always areas that are changing due to currents etc, For example I would never pass under bridges or between islands (hole in the wall comes to mind). Years ago when I asked the same question I was given a more prudent answer that advised a much more cautious approach. That advice saved me 1x as I was head towards Lee's Mill and having been warned about the area I was able to see the open water ahead. I always wore picks and never assumed I was ever safe.

03-31-2019, 07:15 AM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,691 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 992 Times in 723 Posts	They is still out there ...... yesterday, March 30, 2019 at about 6-pm, a buzz of seven snowmobiles buzzed past my spot, going fast, heading from Horse Island across, towards Gilford. Just the smallest of small black water, natural openings have opened up at both ends of Horse Island. Ice is still winter white with some good grip on it, not turning gray yet ..... although it could change to gray very fast what with today's 50-temps and high humidity-drizzle. Yesterday had a couple ice fishermen out below Cattle Landing with a portable bob-house tent set up..... out there ..... today, March 31, is the last day for fishing from, or through the ice, in New Hampshire. No more drilling a hole in the ice and going ice fishing ...... effective April 1 ..... even though there seems to be miles of quality ice still on the lake, so late in the season. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-25-2019, 06:18 PM	#2
JADAQ Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 198 Thanks: 4 Thanked 66 Times in 43 Posts	Plenty safe for a machine but be aware of any pressure ridges out near the broads

The Following User Says Thank You to JADAQ For This Useful Post:
whkhawks (02-25-2019)

The Following User Says Thank You to Not to Worry For This Useful Post:
whkhawks (02-26-2019)

02-26-2019, 08:48 AM	#4
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,218 Thanked 1,008 Times in 649 Posts	Great advice. Whenever I ride on the lake I always let someone know and never go without picks whether it’s by Snowmobile or ice fishing Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

02-26-2019, 03:20 PM	#5
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	While there are areas of the lake that are notably never safe the aforementioned path does not include any areas of concern other than pressure ridges that may be present between point A and B.

The Following User Says Thank You to MAXUM For This Useful Post:
whkhawks (02-26-2019)

03-13-2019, 09:03 PM	#6
Leoskeys Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 148 Thanks: 131 Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts	I’m not a snowmobiler, but my wife and I snowshoed from minge cove Alton to Moose Island this Tuesday and saw huge pressure ridges running for about 200 yards from south of treasure island towards Alton bay. Some stuck stuck two or three feet up out of the ice.

The Following User Says Thank You to Leoskeys For This Useful Post:
whkhawks (03-14-2019)