Get out and play: Your guide to active winter fun in Wisconsin
Start the year off on the right note by discovering some of the state’s best options for outdoor recreation. Here’s what to do and where to go across Wisconsin, from unique spots to skate in the Northwoods to amazing winter trails just outside the state capital.
What to do: Hit the slopes
If your winter adventures take you into central Wisconsin, don’t miss a family-friendly county park just outside Marshfield that’s home to downhill skiing and snowboarding runs as well as four fast-paced tube runs. Powers Bluff County Park, located 14 miles southwest of downtown Marshfield, is a 160-acre park that’s a popular spot for winter recreation, including skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowshoeing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.
What to do: Ride The Glide
Head to Boulder Junction in Vilas County in the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, and you’ll discover a one-of-a-kind attraction: The Glide at Boulder Junction Winter Park. The Glide is a roughly 0.8-mile ice skating ribbon that takes skaters in a loop around the park and through the stunning winter scenery of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. The park is also home to a sledding hill, a lighted regulation-size skating rink, and a warming hut.
What to do: Outrun winter
Middleton, a suburb of the state capital of Madison, is a great city for winter running because of what you’ll find—or perhaps not find—underfoot. One of the city’s premier running routes has a special feature that really sets it apart this time of year. The Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Trail is constructed with a special porous asphalt surface that helps ice and snow melt away. This special trail construction keeps the surface good for running all year long. The sure footing you’ll find on this trail, combined with the picturesque terrain of the wooded Pheasant Branch corridor, makes this a best bet for winter running. Looking to get off the pavement? Check out the fantastic snowshoeing trails at Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
What to do: Ski the Midwest’s best
Minocqua Winter Park, about a 15 mile drive west of downtown Minocqua in Oneida County, covers 6,500 acres and offers unparalleled opportunities for cross-country skiing and other winter recreation. The park is home to 50 miles of trails that are groomed for classic and skate skiing, as well as 15 miles of dedicated snowshoeing trails. Many of the park’s trails include shelters and fire pits, and skiers can warm up at the chalet or service their gear at the on-site ski shop.
Three winter recreation tips:
Dress in layers
Once you get moving it’s sometimes amazing how warm you can get. If you dress in layers, it’s easy to shed a garment and stay the perfect temperature.
May the wind be at your back
When there’s a breeze, it’s always a good idea to start your winter activities headed into the wind. That way, you’ll finish your workout on a warm note.
Not all water is frozen
Staying hydrated is important in the winter, just as it is in the summer. When you’re out getting some exercise, don’t forget to bring a beverage along.
