In recent years, winter thunderstorms have been about as prevalent as snowstorms in the lower Midwest and, while that’s good news for some, the season isn’t the same for those who prefer an annual dose of snow, solitude and contentment in northern Wisconsin.

“We had a ton of snow last season,” says Holly Tomlanovich, the self-proclaimed “snowmobiling grandma” of Vilas County, Wisconsin, who runs a snow-conditions Website. With 40 years of snowmobiling behind her, Tomlanovich still delights in introducing newcomers to the area’s 500-mile (805 km) system of groomed public trails, which last winter boasted a 20-inch (51 cm) snow base.

“Most people think snowmobiling will be bumpy, but it’s comfortable,” says Tomlanovich. “The machines have good suspension and hand-warmers, and the ride is more fun than they think and certainly not as cold,” she says.

Guests take a break following a nighttime winter sleigh ride.

For 41 years, Eagle River has been host to the World Championship Snowmobile Derby in mid-January, sort of an Indy 500 of the sport, which attracts thousands of spectators and a multitude of top national racers. The 2007 race will be held January 12 through 21.

Helping cement Eagle River’s “cradle of snowmobiling” reputation was area resident Carl Eliason, who built a sort of motorized toboggan in the 1920s.

Modern snowmobiles evolved from his contraption, which is still on display at the Vilas County Historical Museum in Sayner, near Eagle River. The museum’s Old Curiosity Shop ambiance makes it fun to poke around in. (The museum is closed in winter.)

Eagle River’s Klondike Days, which draws more than 20,000 people each year, is set for February 17 through 18, 2007. The family-oriented weekend event has dog sled races, dog pulling competitions, lumberjack competitions, a wildlife art show, Bluegrass music and a re-created fur-trader and trapper’s camp, where re-enactors brave the elements and camp outdoors with period equipment, fur hats and buckskins.

Native American Nick Hockings, of the Lac du Flambeau Band of the Lake Superior Ojibwe, brings his Waswagoning Dance Theatre to Klondike Days, with terrific performances of traditional and modern Native American dance. Members of the national touring group explain the dances’ meanings during performances, and help relay the local history and culture to visitors.

Solitude and time together is what many families and couples enjoy most about a weekend up north. For our family, a network of cross-country ski trails in the Nicolet National Forest, east of Eagle River, is a favorite haunt.

Snowmobiles aren’t allowed on the trails, and the hilly woods are home to twittering chickadees and the rarified smell of balsam fir mixed with a hint of wood smoke.