Announcing The Ashwabay Alliance
Big Top Chautauqua and the Mt. Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area have been sharing the beautiful property on Ski Hill Road in Bayfield, WI for more than three decades. Since 2006, the land has been owned by the Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation, the nonprofit organization that operates the ski hill, Nordic trails, and other recreation activities. For several years, the two groups have been working toward combining forces in a new and all-encompassing way: by merging into one organization.
The merger has finally become official, with the two important area nonprofits becoming one under the name Ashwabay Alliance. The new alliance will feature one overarching, combined Board of Directors, but the two lines of business will continue to operate under their old names: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation. The activities that you love will still be available as they have been, so no one needs to worry that their favorite concerts or outdoor activities will be going anywhere. They will still be right where you’ve come to expect them, at the top of Ski Hill Road, under a blue canvas tent or amongst the trails and trees of the pristine 200+ acre property.
In addition to sharing the land, both of these nonprofit organizations are community- based educational organizations that are major economic drivers for the Northwoods and play an important role in the quality of life for the residents and visitors to the area, especially for families and children. Now joined together, the two organizations will be able to expand programs and focus their strengths on much-needed facility planning and infrastructure improvements that will benefit everyone.
Important supporters of the merger effort included Mary Rice before her death in 2020, Bill Van Sant who acted as facilitator for the process, John Carlson who offered legal guidance to the two organizations, all of the members of the two boards, plus the many supporters of both organizations that encouraged the partnership. All involved look forward to future growth and continuing recognition as an iconic year-round destination for the state of Wisconsin and the entire upper Midwest.
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In 1948 Mt Ashwabay was established as a small alpine ski area. It has served the local Ashland, Washburn, and Bayfield area (hence the name “Ashwabay”) without missing a winter since then. Nordic ski trails were added in the 70’s. In 2006, Mt Ashwabay became the Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation under a non-profit status. Mt Ashwabay prides itself on youth programs and youth engagement, serving all of our local school districts, as well as resident and vacationing families. A recent effort to promote Nordic trail system as a regional Nordic destination has proven to be successful. Ashwabay’s 45 kilometers of trails have seen a 30% increase in use in the past two seasons. Mt Ashwabay prides itself on being inclusive in a sport that in most other places is exclusive. They have recently entered into agreements with two local public schools and a local college where all enrolled students are provided lift tickets, and Nordic trail passes at no cost to the student. Mt Ashwabay is also becoming a year-round recreation destination with summer programs that include youth and adult mountain biking skills camps, adventure races, and youth outdoor service projects. Other activities that can be accessed from Ashwabay’s base of operations include hiking, snowshoeing, winter fat biking, and skijoring. More information can be found at mtashwabay.org or by calling 715-779-3227.
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a year–round nonprofit performing arts organization enhancing cultural opportunities and strengthening connections to the history of the Chequamegon Bay area, state of Wisconsin, and the Upper Midwest through the uniquely American tradition of tent shows. Big Top Chautauqua draws 33,000 patrons annually to their summer season events. Shows range from free family performances to original musical theatre shows with the resident Blue Canvas Orchestra, to nationally touring acts such as Bonnie Raitt, The Temptations, Willie Nelson and Brandi Carlile. Shows recorded at the Big Top are broadcast year-round on Tent Show Radio, heard on Wisconsin Public Radio. More information is available at www.bigtop.org or by calling 888-BIG-TENT (888–244-8368).
The merger has finally become official, with the two important area nonprofits becoming one under the name Ashwabay Alliance. The new alliance will feature one overarching, combined Board of Directors, but the two lines of business will continue to operate under their old names: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation. The activities that you love will still be available as they have been, so no one needs to worry that their favorite concerts or outdoor activities will be going anywhere. They will still be right where you’ve come to expect them, at the top of Ski Hill Road, under a blue canvas tent or amongst the trails and trees of the pristine 200+ acre property.
In addition to sharing the land, both of these nonprofit organizations are community- based educational organizations that are major economic drivers for the Northwoods and play an important role in the quality of life for the residents and visitors to the area, especially for families and children. Now joined together, the two organizations will be able to expand programs and focus their strengths on much-needed facility planning and infrastructure improvements that will benefit everyone.
Important supporters of the merger effort included Mary Rice before her death in 2020, Bill Van Sant who acted as facilitator for the process, John Carlson who offered legal guidance to the two organizations, all of the members of the two boards, plus the many supporters of both organizations that encouraged the partnership. All involved look forward to future growth and continuing recognition as an iconic year-round destination for the state of Wisconsin and the entire upper Midwest.
**********************
In 1948 Mt Ashwabay was established as a small alpine ski area. It has served the local Ashland, Washburn, and Bayfield area (hence the name “Ashwabay”) without missing a winter since then. Nordic ski trails were added in the 70’s. In 2006, Mt Ashwabay became the Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation under a non-profit status. Mt Ashwabay prides itself on youth programs and youth engagement, serving all of our local school districts, as well as resident and vacationing families. A recent effort to promote Nordic trail system as a regional Nordic destination has proven to be successful. Ashwabay’s 45 kilometers of trails have seen a 30% increase in use in the past two seasons. Mt Ashwabay prides itself on being inclusive in a sport that in most other places is exclusive. They have recently entered into agreements with two local public schools and a local college where all enrolled students are provided lift tickets, and Nordic trail passes at no cost to the student. Mt Ashwabay is also becoming a year-round recreation destination with summer programs that include youth and adult mountain biking skills camps, adventure races, and youth outdoor service projects. Other activities that can be accessed from Ashwabay’s base of operations include hiking, snowshoeing, winter fat biking, and skijoring. More information can be found at mtashwabay.org or by calling 715-779-3227.
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a year–round nonprofit performing arts organization enhancing cultural opportunities and strengthening connections to the history of the Chequamegon Bay area, state of Wisconsin, and the Upper Midwest through the uniquely American tradition of tent shows. Big Top Chautauqua draws 33,000 patrons annually to their summer season events. Shows range from free family performances to original musical theatre shows with the resident Blue Canvas Orchestra, to nationally touring acts such as Bonnie Raitt, The Temptations, Willie Nelson and Brandi Carlile. Shows recorded at the Big Top are broadcast year-round on Tent Show Radio, heard on Wisconsin Public Radio. More information is available at www.bigtop.org or by calling 888-BIG-TENT (888–244-8368).
