We haven't done winter wilderness camping before but are thinking of doing an overnight on the numbered lakes to give it a try. We spend dozens of nights a year in the wilderness, both backpacking and canoeing, so understand what's involved.

My question is, will we be okay using regular waxless classic skis? Years ago I rented backcountry skis and I'm sure they'd be better, but I'm thinking that across lakes and the very-flat Lake One-Two portage, we should be fine with regular skis.

I'll probably rent sleeping bags but otherwise we should be fine for gear, my primary tent being a red Hilleberg. Daughter is a competitive high school nordic skier so I'll slow her down by making her pull the sled!

I invited a friend winter camping a few years ago. He brought skis and I used boots and/or snowshoes. He was faster, but not able to get traction for pulling a sled.

Look into hok skis. I know some folks who are enjoying them in current snow conditions vs their snowshoes.

You can use your regular skis, you may want to bring wax for warmer snow to help with traction while you pull a pulk or toboggan. I used a pair classic wax skis for over 30 years before skiing on backcountry skis. Maybe not ideal in deep snow but spring skiing on the lakes can be pretty fast and fun.

Any ski will be easier than snowshoeing, it’s the difference of shuffling your feet compared to climbing stairs the whole way. Lake conditions are superb now, until the next significant snowfall.
An old dusty pair that has lost some camber will have better traction than a full double camber ski.