Ice roads aren’t something new on Lake of the Woods, but this ice road is the first of its kind going from Roseau County to the Northwest Angle. And there’s a bonus… you won’t need a passport to get to the Angle when you travel this route! Pack your bags because you are in for a once in a lifetime experience.
While you wait for official word on the opening on the 2021 ice road (est. to be open sometime in January 2021 – early March 2021), you can make lodging reservations in Roseau for your arrival the night before hitting this road less traveled. The ice road closes at sunset daily so enjoy a delicious local meal and get a great night’s sleep before you hit the ice road and hashtag you’ve done something that hasn’t been done without a snowmobile before 2021 (that could be one long hashtag)!
“All of the resorts on the Angle are involved in the project, Points North Services, Sunset Lodge on Oak Island, and Springsteel Resort will share the workload for plowing and maintaining the ice road, Alsleben said, a job that will include bridging cracks and ice heaves that form every winter.
The Northwest Angle Edge Riders, a group that grooms and maintains snowmobile trails on the Angle, also is a partner, and other resorts will chip in to help as needed, Alsleben said. As in previous winters, the Angle will be accessible by snowmobile on groomed trails from Warroad and other points along the south shore of Lake of the Woods.”
Due to the expense of maintaining the road, an ice road pass is required to travel from Springsteel Resort to Northwest Angle mainland and islands. While some might say the cost to travel on the frozen Lake of the Woods in on the pricey side, in reality, what experience isn’t pricey?
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Cost: $145 per vehicle (Springsteel Resort to Sunset Lodge)
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset contingent on weather and ice conditions.
Route: The road will run from Springsteel Resort, across the lake, to the Border Cut trail, then along the trail to the main Angle road (Co Rd 330). The road is approx. 25-30 miles. You are responsible for checking their FB page prior to arriving at Springsteel for any ice road updates. Based on ice condition and weather the road may be closed until cleared.
Rules: 25 MPH speed limit. The road is not wheelhouse friendly. There will not be enough clearance and you will get stuck. Regular passenger vehicles and most trailers will be fine.
Note: Traveling along the ice road is at your own risk. Road status will be monitored closely and may be subject to change without notice. Updates will be posted on the Northwest Angle Guest Ice Road Facebook page, click here to like/follow the page. Any updates to this information will be found on their FB page.
Click here to purchase your ice road pass.