Beat the Winter Blahs in Wisconsin with Activity
by Tim Froberg
Old Man Winter can be one scary dude.
Practically every poll taken reveals winter to be America’s least favorite of the four seasons and by a large margin.
There just doesn’t seem to be much to like, especially in the real-life snow globe of the Midwest. The temperatures are cold and the white stuff piles up, forcing us to spend far too much time indoors and away from our backyards, parks and barbecue grills. Our days are significantly shorter, and it seems like we’re living a vampire’s existence – always dealing with darkness.
Winter, though, doesn’t have to be a foe. With an open mind, a little bit of energy, a willingness to try new activities, and the proper wardrobe (prioritize warmth over fashion, or you will be a walking icicle), you can turn winter into an actual friend.
So stop fighting winter. Make peace with it. It can be done. I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and hated winter for the first 30 years of my life. Then I learned how to ski, and my anti-winter attitude changed. I actually find myself complaining when the snow starts melting in March— comments that usually draw concern from friends and recommendations for mental-health counselors.
Trust me when I say that finding a winter hobby can change everything.
Our “It’s The Best of Winter” guide can help. In the following pages, we’ll take a look at how to make the most of winter through various activities and opportunities that pop up in the dead of this unpopular, unappreciated season. Along with suggested winter activities, we’ll throw in a few road trips and venues to keep cabin fever from creeping in.
Who knows? If you try a few, you might even crack a smile by the end of March.
Cross Country Cruising
Moving at high or even slow speeds with your feet strapped to pieces of wood can be terrifying for inexperienced skiers.
But if you take the time and spend the money to learn cross-country, downhill skiing, or snowboarding, an avenue toward winter fun may suddenly open.
Cross-country (Nordic) is safer and less expensive than downhill (Alpine) skiing and is a superior cardiovascular sport. Most cross-country skiers own their own equipment (skis, boots and poles), but it can also be rented at many places such as Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve for a nominal price. There is usually a fee to navigate cross-country trails, but it’s generally inexpensive.
Bubolz features more than 8.5 miles of groomed trails. Plamann Park and Reid Golf Course in Appleton, the Menasha Conservancy Area, Woodland Prairie Park in Menasha, High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, and the Brown County Reforestation Camp in Green Bay also offer popular cross-country trails.
Regular cross-country skiing will keep you in excellent shape and isn’t particularly dangerous, but it’s important to understand the degree of difficulty the trail poses. Some trails feature steep hills that can send you flying downhill at high speeds, much like the alpine experience.
For information on ski trails and conditions in the Wisconsin State Park System, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ top-notch website at dnr.wisconsin.gov.
Hit the Slopes
Downhill is a far more daring choice among skiers. There is a steep learning curve involved, and downhill skiing can be dangerous if you take it on without knowing the basics.
If you are a beginner, always take a lesson or two from trained ski personnel at the hill. They will teach you fundamentals and important safety rules that can save your life. Beginners must learn how to turn, snowplow (slow yourself down) and stop before venturing to the top of the hill.
Don’t rely on well-meaning, but unqualified friends to teach you the basics. And don’t be so naïve as to think you can immediately teach yourself this difficult, humbling sport. Stay patient, listen to your instructors, and be willing to laugh at yourself because you may take a tumble or four.
So where to go? A lot depends on your skill level, how far you want to drive, and how much you want to spend. But to me, Granite Peak in Wausau (also known as Rib Mountain) is tough to beat, especially for intermediate and advanced skiers. Granite Peak offers the most terrain with over 200 acres, 68 runs, seven lifts, including two high-speed ones, and the highest vertical drop (700-plus feet).
Other well-regarded ski resorts within driving distance of Appleton include Cascade Mountain (Portage), Devils Head (Baraboo), Whitecap Mountain (Upson) and Alpine Valley (Elkhorn).
Beginners may want to learn the ropes at nearby Nordic Mountain in Wild Rose where they will get a less challenging, budget-friendly ski experience.
There are plenty of good ski resorts in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Mt. Bohemia is a Colorado-style hill for serious skiers, while Big Powderhorn Mountain, Ski Brule and Marquette Mountain are solid options.
If you catch the ski bug, consider joining the Sly Fox Ski Club, a local organization that organizes trips to exotic distant ski destinations for bargain prices.
Snowshoe Shuffle
Looking to enjoy the beauty of winter with a safe, slow activity that won’t send you sprawling? Give snowshoeing a shot. It’s a chill activity that provides solid cardio exercise and is super easy on the body. Because you’re moving at a gradual pace, snowshoeing gives you time to take in and fully appreciate Wisconsin’s winter wonderland.
If you don’t own snowshoes, they can be rented at venues with excellent trail systems such as Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, Heckrodt Nature Preserve in Menasha, Mosquito Hill Nature Center in New London, and Plamann Park in Appleton.
See the Light
An outdoor winter activity that has skyrocketed in popularity is the candlelight experience, whether it’s a hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe event.
These low-key activities are held at night in forested areas and allow hikers, snowshoers or skiers to journey down groomed trails illuminated by candles that are either electric or have actual flames inside ice luminaries.
Most places offer roaring bonfires and hot drinks to be enjoyed after the hike. Many state parks and nature centers offer these events, so check park websites and the Wisconsin DNR website for dates, prices, and times.
Rib Mountain State Park, Newport State Park in Door County and Friends of Governor Thompson State Park in Crivitz will offer candlelight snowshoe hikes on Feb. 14.
Candlelight events are fun, back-to-nature activities that will get you out of the house and help you appreciate the wonders of winter.
Ice, Ice Baby
Ice fishing is another good way to beat cabin fever without breaking a sweat. Outdoor enthusiasts have found excellent success on Wisconsin waters, especially Green Bay (for walleye) and Lake Winnebago (walleye, panfish). February is prime time for Wisconsin ice fishing, with sizable walleye being caught on the Fox River, which flows into Green Bay.
For a classic Wisconsin ice fishing experience, take a road trip to Rhinelander, which bills itself as the “Ice Fishing Capital of the World.”
Always check ice conditions from the DNR before considering an ice fishing excursion. At least four inches of clear solid ice is needed for walking, while 5-7 inches is necessary for a snowmobile or ATV and 8-12 inches for a small car or light truck. Don’t be one of those who drives a truck onto thin ice and soon finds the vehicle taking on water.
Fire Up the Sled
Snowmobiling is a fast, exhilarating sport that allows exploration of remote areas. There are 300-plus miles of snowmobile trails in Outagamie County maintained by local clubs and the Outagamie County Parks Department.
Snowmobiling is heavily dependent on actual snow. Generally, at least six inches of snow cover is needed along with temperatures below freezing. Check the trail conditions hotline (920-832-4790), extension 3, before firing up your sled.
Many Wisconsin snowmobilers prefer to head to the Northwoods of Eagle River, Minocqua, Rhinelander, or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where there is deeper snow and access to Lake Superior.
Slip-Sliding Away
So you tried skiing and it’s not your jam. No problem. There are plenty of winter outdoor activities that are fun, easy to learn, and far less expensive.
Sledding is one of them. All you need is a sense of adventure and a simple sled — whether it’s plastic, wood, or aluminum — that can be purchased at retail outlets like Scheels, Menards, Costco, Target, and Ace Hardware. Sledding is a terrific family event in which both kids and adults can participate. Just make sure you’re not riding a Clark Griswold-approved saucer coated with a super slippery, speed-promoting substance.
There are plenty of small hills in the Appleton area at local parks such as Plamann (257 acres of scenic hills and trails), Prairie Hill, Memorial, Pierce, Erb, Arbutus, Grignon (in Kaukauna), Fritsch (Menasha), and Jennerjohn (Greenville).
Snow tubing — sliding downhill on plastic inner tubes — is another sled-related winter option. Many ski areas, such as Nordic Mountain in Wild Rose and Sylvan Hill Park in Wausau rent tubes and offer lift services.
If you want something more memorable with a view of America’s most iconic football stadium, head to Green Bay’s Titletown District and Ariens Hill. Tubes are available along with a tow service to the top where a 46-foot drop awaits. Tubing fees vary by day, but there is no charge for the actual tube.
Glide Your Way Through Winter
Skating — much like skiing — can’t be mastered overnight and requires a fair amount of learning. But with a little patience and practice, most folks pick it up well enough to at least complete a few laps with the kiddos. There are plenty of good outdoor ice rinks at Appleton public parks and several fine indoor rinks with open skating hours like Appleton Family Ice Center, Tri-County Ice Arena, Community First Champion Center, and Cornerstone Community Ice Center in De Pere.
Visit the gorgeous Plaza at Gateway Park in downtown Neenah for a can’t-beat outdoor skating experience. The Plaza opened in 2021 and is an awesome winter gathering place. Think Rockefeller Plaza, only in Neenah. The outdoor skating rink is the focal point during the winter, and firepits are available along with hot drinks and food. Skates can be rented on-site, and there is a small admission fee. The Plaza is a spectacular facility and a must-visit outdoor venue for both area residents and tourists — even if you don’t skate.
Green Bay’s Titletown District offers a terrific outdoor skating option at Hy-Vee Plaza. Rental skates are available, and there is an admission charge, but with all the beautiful lights and historic Lambeau Field towering in the background, it provides an unforgettable skating experience.
While you’re in the Titletown District, check out all Lambeau has to offer. Visit the Packers Pro Shop or Packers Hall of Fame, and have a bite to eat at 1919 Kitchen & Tap. Take the time to snap a few selfies alongside legendary Packers coaches Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi, or at the interactive Lambeau Leap structure.
Hit the Road Jack
Looking for something completely different? Take a road trip to Marquette, Michigan, and be a Yooper for a few days while checking out the U.P. 200 Sled Dog.
The annual event is set for Feb. 12–16, starting from downtown Marquette.
The U.P. 200 is a 12-dog, 228-mile mid-distance race that serves as an Iditarod qualifier. The Midnight Run, an eight-dog, 82-mile race, and the Jack Pine 30, a six-dog, 26-mile event, are also part of the festivities.
Visit the website, up200.org, for more information.
Enjoy Mother Nature’s Work
The wrath of a Wisconsin winter can produce some spectacular natural formations like the magical ice structures found in Door County.
Visit Cave Point County Park near Sturgeon Bay and check out the ice layers, frozen waterfalls, and massive icicles along limestone cliffs where Lake Michigan waves and seeping water have created jaw-dropping winter sights. Whitefish Dunes State Park — adjacent to Cave Point — Bailey’s Harbor and the North Bay State Natural Area are also worth a look.
These wonderful ice formations are best seen in February when temperatures are consistently cold. Be aware of local ice conditions and wear proper footwear because the ground at Cave Point can be slippery during winter.
The spectacular sea caves at the Apostle Islands — about a four-hour drive from Appleton — are even more stunning, but have been inaccessible in recent years due to unstable ice conditions. Before planning a trip, contact the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau (715-779-3335) or visit its website, bayfield.org, for updated information on the caves.
Take the Plunge
Waterparks used to be strictly a summer thing, but that’s no longer the case. Several waterpark hotels with year-round slides have opened in recent years, including a variety in the Wisconsin Dells area.
Kalahari Resorts — which opened in 2000 and has a unique African theme — was one of the first to offer a large-scale indoor waterpark and remains a popular family destination for both little and big kids (adults). Additional indoor waterpark resorts in Wisconsin Dells include Great Wolf Lodge, Atlantis Family Waterpark Hotel, Mt. Olympus Indoor Water Park, and Chula Vista Resort.
But you don’t necessarily need to make the two-hour drive to Wisconsin Dells to experience the splish-splash fun of an indoor water park. Tundra Lodge in Green Bay has a three-story indoor waterpark featuring a lazy river and also provides the opportunity to visit iconic Lambeau Field — just four blocks away.
Cross the Border
If waterparks aren’t your thing, put your football grudges aside and visit the Windy City. Chicago is loaded with fun and educational attractions that will blow your mind. The Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Adler Planetarium are must-see world-class venues where you can spend hours eying fascinating sights.
Check out “The Bean,” a giant stainless steel sculpture in Millennium Park, Lincoln Park with its dazzling zoo lights display, or Navy Pier, which is open during winters for ice skating and other events.
Watch the Winter Olympics
Say “Buongiorno” to the Winter Olympics, which will transport us to Italy (in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo) for a two-week television takeover from Feb. 6–22.
The Winter Olympics is a major global event that builds momentum and viewership with each passing day. It will be broadcast as usual on NBC.
Some of the marquee events are figure and speed skating, hockey, downhill skiing, bobsledding, and luge. While some prefer the Summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics is a very watchable event that always seems to create intrigue and produce significant stories.
These television-documented tales occasionally involve bribery, cheating, and even criminal activity like the mind-blowing Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan saga of 1994 that people still talk about today.
There have also been heartwarming, inspirational stories like the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980 and Dan “The Heartbreak Kid” Jansen’s gold-medal win at Lillehammer in 1994 following personal tragedy and disappointing showings in previous Olympics.
Several funny, yet uplifting underdog stories have also emerged from the Winter Olympics. Who could forget the Jamaican bobsled team’s efforts to compete with the elite teams in the 1988 Winter Olympics despite limited resources and a total lack of background in the sport? Their unforgettable story was retold in a terrific 1993 Hollywood movie, “Cool Runnings,” which you should definitely watch if you haven’t already.
Another underdog who inspired a full-length movie was Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards: a not-so-talented chap who became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. With a non-athletic build and thick glasses that often fogged up, Eddie didn’t look like a ski jumper. Picture WKRP’s Les Nessman on skis. He didn’t jump like one either. His skill level was so far behind fellow competitors that there was a push to ban him from competition in fear that he would seriously hurt himself.
But the Eagle was eventually allowed to fly. Eddie predictably finished dead-last in the competition — miles behind his counterparts — but gained an enormous global following for his competitive spirit.
Have a Super Sunday
The biggest event of America’s sports season takes place Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium — home of the San Francisco 49ers.
The Super Bowl started modestly in the late 1960s. It was initially called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game and played before countless empty seats at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Almost every Cheesehead knows that Vince Lombardi’s Packers won the first two Super Bowls in 1967 and 1968.
The halftime show of Super Bowl I featured trumpeter and bandleader Al Hirt along with performances from collegiate marching bands.
The game has morphed into a must-see event for diehard, casual, and even non-football fans. Some folks tune in simply to watch the creative multi-million-dollar commercials and high-profile halftime show.
The 2026 halftime show features Latin American singer-rapper-entertainer Bad Bunny, a controversial choice considering that he’s criticized U.S. immigration policies and enforcement. But controversy sells, and it will be interesting to see if Bad Bunny pokes the bear.
Be a Hockey Puck
The harsh Wisconsin winter forces us indoors for an extended period after Christmas, but there are plenty of excellent live sporting events to watch.
No sport is more connected to winter than hockey. The Green Bay Gamblers offer an excellent hockey experience at a bargain price. The Gamblers are a Tier 1 junior hockey organization of high-level amateur players looking to advance to the collegiate or professional level.
It’s good, quality hockey and great fun. The Gamblers operate similarly to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in terms of promotions, themed nights, t-shirt tosses, and mascot appearances. Chances are you will have a good time at a Gamblers game — even if you don’t like hockey.
Or, check out kids’ hockey. The Appleton area has three established boys’ and girls’ high school hockey programs in Appleton United, Neenah-Hortonville-Menasha and the Fox Cities Stars.
Get Mad in March
One can also follow the bounce of the basketball in February and March. The Milwaukee Bucks have struggled through a tough season, but have been a stable, successful franchise for decades and boast one of the planet’s top players in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If you want to save a few dollars while making a shorter drive to Oshkosh, the Bucks’ developmental G League team, the Wisconsin Herd, provides an entertaining alternative.
Many find college basketball to be even more scintillating than the pro game. Coach Greg Gard’s Wisconsin Badgers have been a consistent winner in recent years, and Bucky has long been the state’s marquee amateur team.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay offers the high skill level of Division I hoops, while the WIAC is one of the country’s top Division III basketball conferences.
One of the best parts of a Wisconsin winter is March Madness when the always intriguing NCAA tournaments tip off. What makes March Madness so fun is that everyone gets a chance to make a buck or earn the respect (or disrespect) of buddies and co-workers by trying to predict the wildly unpredictable outcomes of tournament games through millions of pre-tourney brackets.
It’s all good, silly fun – even if bracketeers don’t know the difference between a kickball and basketball.
Support High School Sports
High school sports have a charming, nostalgic hometown feel. Whether you’re enjoying the action on the court, the often-amusing antics of the student body, or a rousing school band rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” prep sports are terrific entertainment. Take in a basketball game and support the Papermakers, Polar Bears, Ghosts, Mustangs, Patriots, Lightning, Terrors, Rockets, Foxes or Hawks.
The high school basketball season stages its own version of March Madness, and the Fox Cites is loaded with quality boys’ and girls’ basketball programs capable of making deep tourney runs.
But more than just hoops and hockey are played during Wisconsin winters. Kaukauna boasts the state’s elite prep wrestling programs. Coach Jeff Matczak’s Ghosts have won an amazing five consecutive WIAA Division I state wrestling championships and nine overall. I wouldn’t bet against the Ghosts extending that streak to six in March.
This article was originally published in the February 2026 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.
