Weekend Snowmobile Adventure at Rusk’s Lodging, Iron River, WI

Welcome to Rusk’s Lodging: Heating Things Up More Than Expected

Our crew rolled into Iron River with more enthusiasm than snow on the ground—and Rusk’s Lodging, our home base, did not disappoint. Nestled right on McCarry Lake in Wisconsin's Pike Chain, this bed-and-breakfast run by longtime family friends features hospitality that goes well beyond warm smiles. Speaking of warm, the wood stove inside might actually be trying out for sauna duty.

The trails are literally steps from the door, so after unloading sleds, we barely had time to soak in the cozy, almost-too-hot atmosphere before Donna, the owner, hopped on a sled and declared she hadn’t driven one in 20 years—then peeled away faster than anyone could yell, “Stop her!” That was our cue: this weekend was going to be equal parts adventure and good-natured chaos.

Saturday: Snow, Stories, and Getting (Happily) Lost

Dreamy conditions greeted us Saturday morning: 16 inches of fresh, powdery snow crowned perfectly groomed trails. Donna and her husband outdid themselves on breakfast—a spread that would humble even the heartiest lumberjack. Between bites, they spun tales of local legends, moose antics, and snowstorms with a mind of their own.

Properly fueled, our plan was to ride out toward Cornucopia on Lake Superior, with GPS tabs and Ride Command to keep us on track. Spoiler: we got lost. Multiple times. Around Port Wing, every turn looked like a postcard, and before long, “navigation” morphed into “adventure-style exploring.”

It turns out those detours were a highlight, bringing us to Valhalla Recreation Area, which, appropriately, felt like Norse myth made real. Trails were flawless, and the pub’s grub certainly could’ve earned Odin’s nod of approval.

GPS? Or Guessing Position Socially?

We had the toys—GPS tablets and Ride Command—but the trails play coy. Loops, forks, and surprise intersections tested even the best maps. At one point, we realized we’d circled right back to our starting point. Was the GPS on the fritz? Was it the moon? Who knows.

But honestly, getting a little turned around led to new sights, fresh tracks, and more laughs than a perfectly planned route ever could.

The Lake Race of Legends

Then, the moment we’d been waiting for: a wide-open frozen lake and a clear stretch straight ahead. Engines roared, snow dust kicked up, and we hit full throttle racing toward the far shore. For a few adrenaline-fueled seconds, it was just wind, speed, and unfiltered joy.

Who won? Well, George sure thinks he did.

Where We Ate, Laughed, and Definitely Lost an AirTag

Friday night’s warmup was at The Other Place Bar—chilly drinks, chatty locals, and a jukebox with an attitude. Saturday night we upgraded to Buskey Bay Resort for a classic Wisconsin supper club experience: Old Fashioneds, big hearty plates, and laughter echoing across the lake.

Somewhere between dessert and dancing, an AirTag vanished—if you find one pinging “Find My Sledder,” let us know.

Sunday: All Good Things…

Sunday morning brought one last quick ride. Just enough snow-kick magic before loading sleds and saying goodbye to Rusk’s. Donna waved us off with a story and a wink—just the kind of send-off this trip deserved.

Final Thoughts

Two days packed with good food, great people, unpredictable navigation, a wood stove that doubled as a slow cooker, and rides that ranged from perfectly groomed to gloriously lost.

If you’re looking for a weekend where cozy means “turn down the stove,” where the trails start at your doorstep, and where getting lost is simply part of the fun, Iron River’s got it.

And after a weekend like that, all you really need is reliable gear to keep you safe, warm, and laughing—ready for the next ride out.

Ride hard. Laugh harder.