Staying Active in Winter

Winter time in Wisconsin can be dreary. My body craves sunshine and fresh air, but unfortunately we don't always get the sunshine here in Wisconsin. Now that our kids are older, we have been fortunate in finding some outdoor winter activities we enjoy to do as a family. One activity that has been a favorite of ours is skiing! My daughter, Mia (7 years old), took lessons last winter. This year, Mia overcame her fears of the ski lifts. She is now skiing down the bigger hills and loves trying to keep up with her big brother! With COVID restrictions, this was one activity we felt comfortable participating in as a family. The resort simplified their check-in process so we never had to go inside, it was completely an outdoor experience. 

Downhill Skiing
The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa is a local ski resort favorite in Lake Geneva. We love the convenience, the great hospitality and the many familiar faces we get to see. It is perfect for all ski abilities. My son enjoys skiing with his friends and enjoys the challenges of the terrain park. The Mountain Top also offers incredible deals weekly or seasonally for families. My kids take advantage of the Honor Roll Pass which allows them to ski any day of the season for only $150! 

Snowshoeing
Another activity that we have found enjoyable is snowshoeing. I was fortunate to receive a physical education school grant a few years back to purchase snowshoes for our school. Before receiving this grant, I never experienced using snowshoeing. I was extremely excited to give it a try and it turns out I really enjoy it! Now snowshoeing is a regular activity for my students during the winter months. They are really excited to try it each year, then they realize it's a physically exhausting workout! As a family, some of our favorite places to snowshoe are Kettle Moraine State Forest, Burlington Forest, Bong State Park, Bigfoot State Park, and the White River County Park.  Please review the Winter Trail Etiquette For Snowshoeing and Hiking. Many hours go into grooming trails for cross country skiing, NEVER snowshoe on groomed trails! Make sure to know proper etiquette, rules, and restrictions for the use of each trail and park system. 

Cross Country Skiing
Cross country skiing is also very popular in our area. There are many miles of trails in Wisconsin, get more information here. 

Sledding
Lastly, sledding, it's always a favorite! We love to sled at Devor Park, commonly known as Water Tower Hill in Burlington. It is very steep and you can get going pretty fast. If your kids are not up for the big hills yet, Bong State Park has some nice spots to check out. Also the Mountain Top at Grand Geneva has a small sledding hill.